Why Ireland?

The history and politics of the island of Ireland are complex and contentious. JRCT does not take any particular stance on either the history or the future, but has sought to strengthen the hands of those seeking peaceful means to address deep issues of conflict, poverty, alienation and inequality in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Since the late 1960s, over 3,600 men, women and children have suffered a violent death in Northern Ireland as a result of political conflict. Very many more were injured and traumatised. Although thankfully there has been a partial political resolution, and the violence has diminshed, the consequences of this conflict and the divisions which underpinned it will take many years of further work to resolve.

JRCT has funded work in Northern Ireland throughout the period of the conflict and continues to do so today.

In 1994, JRCT began making grants in Ireland, partly in recognition any succesful resolution of the conflict in Northern Ireland would require changes in Dublin (and London) as well as Belfast. Ireland was at that time already a country in transition. In the years since, Ireland has experienced extremely rapid economic growth and has become a more modern, more multicultural and less equal society. JRCT has particularly supported the development of civil society organisations that seek to promote and uphold democratic, economic and social rights.