The role of ex-paramilitaries and former prisoners in political tourism

Nisbett, Melissa; Rapson, Jessica

doi:10.1016/j.polgeo.2020.102185

Cited by 11 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…Lennon (2017) notes the problematic use of the term ‘dark tourism’ in that it is a prejorative term with visits to ‘dark’ sites tending to be overwhelmingly presented in negative ways which limits consideration of the potential positive impact of ‘dark tourism’ to actively participate in the process of peacebuilding. Nisbett and Rapson (2020: 2) argue that ‘attention to the voices of those actively involved in the conflict may enable both a better understanding of their struggle and the potential of tourism to contribute to post-conflict transformation’. In a similar vein, McEvoy and Shirlow (2009: 31) argue that ex-prisoners could serve as ‘moral agents in conflict transformation around which peacemaking can be constructed rather than as obstacles which must be “managed” out of existence’.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Touring ‘post conflict’ Belfast

Leonard

2022

Irish Journal of Sociology

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The purpose of this paper is to explore Belfast as a site of ‘dark tourism’ through a case study of Coiste which is a tour company based in West Belfast which employs former political prisoners as tour guides. These tours advertise themselves as providing an ‘authentic’ account of ‘the troubles’ through a broad republican lens. This outlook frames the narrative within which the history of Belfast is discussed by those who are considered as former ‘terrorists’ who draw on their lived experiences of taking part in violent conflict. While the example may seem as an unlikely contender for the role that tourism can play in peace transformation processes, nonetheless, the discourses on offer provide a necessary addition to mainstream tourism products which often involve sanitising the past and airbrushing history by turning it into an uncontentious, consumable tourist commodity. The paper is based on ‘walk and talk’ interviews with tour guides and Tripadvisor Reviews of these tours.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Touring ‘post conflict’ Belfast

Leonard

2022

Irish Journal of Sociology

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“…Second, peace walls (or peace lines) were constructed to separate sectarian communities in Belfast in response to sectarian violence that began again in the 1960s. Both boundaries would give rise to political violence coupled with political imprisonment, perpetuating social drama preserved in myth, legend, and martyrdom (Graham and Whelan, 2007;Nisbett and Rapson, 2020).…”

Section: Dublin: Cit Y Of Early Troublementioning

confidence: 99%

The Bastille Effect

Welch¹

2022

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list of illustrations 1. "ESMA: Former Detention Space. " On the top floors of the Casino at ESMA, the former detention space seems especially connected to its profane past. © retrowelch 2022 7 2. "Memorial to Gerald McAuley. " In a Catholic community in Belfast, a memorial to Gerald McAuley, a victim of the Troubles, is open to the public. © retrowelch 2022 8 3. "The Bastille, a model by Palloy. " An original model (1790) of the Bastille made by Palloy with stone recovered from its ruins is on display at the Museum of the National Archives (Hôtel de Soubise) in Paris. Maquette de la Bastille réalisée à partir d'une pierre de la forteresse par Palloy* , 1790, Archives nationales, AE VI a 79. © retrowelch 2022 17 4. "Angela Davis Poster in Paris. " A vintage poster of Angela Davis decorates a café in Paris. The caption borrows from a quote in Davis's autobiography: "Walls turned sideways are bridges" (2016a: 347). © retrowelch 2022 23 5. "The Stonebreakers' Yard. " At the Kilmainham Gaol (the "Bastille of Ireland") in Dublin, a cross planted in the ground marks the spot where each Irish rebel was executed. The double doors, to the right, were opened to allow an ambulance to enter. The vehicle was transporting James Connolly, who was injured in the Rising. Unable to stand, he was shot while seated in a chair. © retrowelch 2022 35 6. "Peace Walls in Belfast. " Barriers separating the Loyalist/Unionist communities from their Republican/Nationalist counterparts stretch for miles with restricted access. © retrowelch 2022 39 x list of illustrations 7. "ESMA. " In Buenos Aries, ESMA was a major site for detention, torture, and extermination. Pictured is the Casino, where faces of the disappeared are arranged on the façade. © retrowelch 2022 50 8. "National Stadium. " The National Stadium in Santiago held thousands of detainees in the early phase of the Pinochet dictatorship. © retrowelch 2022 54 9. "Bathtub. " In Asunción, the bathtub (pileta) used for waterboarding is on display at a former detention site currently open to the public as the Museo de las Memorias. © retrowelch 2022 56 10. "Shopping Mall. " In Montevideo, the former prison Punta Carretas has been transformed into an upscale shopping mall. © retrowelch 2022 59 11. "Pied-du-Courant. " In Montreal, the former prison, Pied-du-Courant, has been transformed into an exhibition space named La Prison-des-Patriotes. © retrowelch 2022 69 12. "La Casa Cañas. " At Casa de José Domingo Cañas (Santiago, Chile), a mural featuring a vulture with a US flag is captioned: "La paz era una Paloma y alrededor los buitres oveja negra" (Peace was a dove and around the black sheep vultures). © retrowelch 2022 77 13. "The French Nuns. " Upon their detention at ESMA, Alice Domon and Leonie Duquet were photographed. Their images along with a concocted story about their involvement in a paramilitary group, Montoneros, was released to the press. © retrowelch 2022 91 14. "Plaza Padre Juan Alsina at Puente Bulnes. " In Santiago, Plaza Padre Juan Alsina at Puente Bulnes preserves the ...

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“…Tourism is a key indicator of a positive destination personality. In late 2017, Lonely Planet rated Belfast and the Causeway Coast as the world's best region for tourism for 2018 (Nisbett & Rapson, 2020). Official figures show that in the year to March 2019, there were 5.1 million overnight trips, 16.3 million nights spent and £963 million spend in the regional economy (NISRA, 2019).…”

Section: Destination Personality Brand Identity Brand Imagementioning

confidence: 99%

“…An interesting by-product of the peace dividend is many of these international tourists seek out previously unsafe areas of the city, i.e. 'dark tourism' (Leonard, 2012;Nisbett & Rapson, 2020;Skinner, 2016).…”

Section: Destination Personality Brand Identity Brand Imagementioning

confidence: 99%

All aboard Belfast’s ‘brandwagon’: from ‘pariah city’ to ‘energised city’

Boland

McKay

2021

Town Planning Review

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The concept of brand personality is increasingly applied to the contemporary city. During the ‘Troubles’, Belfast - as a ‘pariah city’ - was contaminated with a sclerotic image. Recently it has been rebranded as a ‘post-conflict’ and ‘energised’ city. This paper reveals the significant image transformation in Belfast and its recent engagement with city brand personality. Despite significant progress on destination personality and brand identity, problems remain with regard to brand image and Belfast’s contested past. In addressing the important temporal dimension, this paper adds valuable new insights into our knowledge of city brand personality.

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The role of ex-paramilitaries and former prisoners in political tourism

Cited by 11 publications

References 45 publications

Touring ‘post conflict’ Belfast

Touring ‘post conflict’ Belfast

The Bastille Effect

All aboard Belfast’s ‘brandwagon’: from ‘pariah city’ to ‘energised city’

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