A Lens Over Conflicted Memory: Surveying ‘Troubles’ Commemoration in Northern Ireland

The political functions of conflict-related commemoration have been examined inNorthern Ireland, as in other deeply divided societies. However, a gap in research has persisted.In order to properly examine and evaluate local commemoration as a political activity,we should find out the size and spread of this activity, and ascertain who is responsible for itsproduction. Accordingly, this paper presents the findings of a scoping survey of ‘Troubles’-related commemoration in Northern Ireland. We supply survey data in relation to types ofcommemoration; categories of actor; frequency; and location. Combining this with field observationof the forms and themes of commemoration, we examine how these data can frame ourunderstandings of the environment of ‘Troubles’ memory