The Rise of the Troubles

Trespasses

The novel’s daily routines show political violence expanding into schools, streets, homes and intimate relationships.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Violence as the News Violence as the News from "Trespasses". Violence as the News A nightly montage The television moves from riots and soldiers to bombings, bodies and political statements.

Violence as the News from "Trespasses". Violence as the News A nightly montage The television moves from riots and soldiers to bombings, bodies and political statements.

Violence as the News A nightly montage The television moves from riots and soldiers to bombings, bodies and political statements. The regulars watch the images as part of an ordinary evening in the pub. Childhood vocabulary At school, seven-year-olds already know the language of explosives, internment and security forces. The conflict has entered daily speech before the children can understand its full meaning.

The 1974 Strike Remembered The 1974 Strike Remembered from "Trespasses". The 1974 Strike Remembered A remembered shutdown Cushla recalls the UWC strike: empty shops, the threat of hunger and paramilitary control over roads.

The 1974 Strike Remembered from "Trespasses". The 1974 Strike Remembered A remembered shutdown Cushla recalls the UWC strike: empty shops, the threat of hunger and paramilitary control over roads.

The 1974 Strike Remembered A remembered shutdown Cushla recalls the UWC strike: empty shops, the threat of hunger and paramilitary control over roads. Fidel once stopped her car at a masked checkpoint and pretended not to know her. Power in ordinary life The memories show how political force reaches food, fuel, school and movement. A year later, the pub regulars watch the anniversary footage without resolving what their own actions meant.

A Wedding Interrupted A Wedding Interrupted from "Trespasses". A Wedding Interrupted Armed intrusion A British Army unit enters the wedding reception under helicopter cover.

A Wedding Interrupted from "Trespasses". A Wedding Interrupted Armed intrusion A British Army unit enters the wedding reception under helicopter cover.

A Wedding Interrupted Armed intrusion A British Army unit enters the wedding reception under helicopter cover. Guests are forced to watch soldiers move among them with weapons ready. Fear among civilians A young soldier looks terrified as he passes Cushla. The scene complicates any easy division between armed authority and helpless civilians: everyone is caught inside the same atmosphere of danger.

A Bomb Near the Theatre A Bomb Near the Theatre from "Trespasses". A Bomb Near the Theatre A nearby explosion A car explodes outside the Lyric Theatre while Michael is inside.

A Bomb Near the Theatre from "Trespasses". A Bomb Near the Theatre A nearby explosion A car explodes outside the Lyric Theatre while Michael is inside.

A Bomb Near the Theatre A nearby explosion A car explodes outside the Lyric Theatre while Michael is inside. He returns to find Cushla waiting in his flat, terrified that he has been caught in the blast. Danger made personal The explosion turns the conflict from background news into a threat to their immediate safety. Michael’s anger at the violence cannot keep him from returning to work and risk.

The Murder Reaches the Pub The Murder Reaches the Pub from "Trespasses". The Murder Reaches the Pub News becomes loss Cushla learns at the bar that Michael has been shot dead.

The Murder Reaches the Pub from "Trespasses". The Murder Reaches the Pub News becomes loss Cushla learns at the bar that Michael has been shot dead.

The Murder Reaches the Pub News becomes loss Cushla learns at the bar that Michael has been shot dead. Eamonn tells her to return to work and conceal the relationship from the regulars. Public grief, private danger The same television and pub that once made violence routine now announce the death of the man Cushla loved. Political violence dictates not only who dies, but how the living may mourn.

February 1975, during Cushla’s first week in the pub

May 1975, on the anniversary of the UWC strike

Late spring 1975, during Gerry’s wedding reception

Early summer 1975, while Michael attends a play

Early summer 1975, after Michael is killed