For much of the world, the Troubles in Northern Ireland were about Catholics and Protestants fighting each other.  

With those labels being used as shorthand to this day to describe members of the two main communities, it's easy to see why.  

 But whilst for some the conflict clearly included a religious element, the role of religion is certainly up for debate.  

 But what about peacebuilding – what role did Christians have in ending the conflict?   

 Professor Gladys Ganiel’s research focuses on the role of religion in conflict in Northern Ireland.  

 She has written a new short book – it's entitled Christianity and Peacebuilding in Northern Ireland. 

She joined Ciarán Dunbar.  

The BelTel brings you some of Northern Ireland's top journalists, Allison Morris, Sam McBride and Suzanne Breen to name but a few, giving you the inside stories behind what is in the news. Presented by Ciarán Dunbar, the Bel Tel investigates, debates and informs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

The BelTel

God, Religion, the Troubles, and the Christian Peacebuilding  

Paddy Mackin and Eamon MacMahon's bodies were found on the morning of the 13th of July, 1983.  

They both had been blasted with a shotgun as close range.   

The murders of the 34 year olds were first blamed on INLA leaders Dominic and Mary McGlinchey.  But their families don’t believe that – they believe “other republicans” were involved.  

They claim that an informer recruited by Captain Robert Nairac helped set up their loved ones   They say this man later fled Northern Ireland after Freddie Scappaticci tipped off MI5 that his identity had been compromised.  

The story was broken by our political editor, Suzanne Breen. 

Families search for truth over 1983 south Armagh murders  

At 37, Jason Arday became the University of Cambridge’s youngest black professor.  

However, he is now at the center of a plagiarism accusations which have cast a shadow over his career – and thrust him into the international limelight.   

Parts of his CV have been rubbished, and his most implausible claims about his personal life and achievements have been ridiculed.   

Arday resigned from Cambridge last week saying he was under an "unrelenting level of public scrutiny and personal attack".  

 The controversy has sparked intense debate.  While allegations against Arday have become a focal point for right-wing press and far-right groups online, many academics argue the case has been caught up in a wider culture war.  

 Ciaran Dunbar is joined by Kurtis Reid, to talk about Jason Arday – what he says, and what his detractors and defenders say. 

Culture war rages in the wake of Prof Jason Arday resignation  

 

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann took over Belfast City Centre for over a week drawing huge crowds.  

The all-Ireland traditional Irish music competition and festival has been near universally hailed as an enormous success. 

It has been cited as having made a massive cultural, social, and economic impact on the city.  

How much money was made? What impact will it have on the Fleadh, and can any lessons be learned? 

Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph reporter, and fleadh veteran, Liam Tunney, and by Business Editor Margaret Canning. 

God, Religion, the Troubles, and the Christian Peacebuilding

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