The Truth about the Troubles: Negotiating Narratives of the Past in Guided Political Tours of West Belfast

Abstract:Since the Troubles came to an end in 1998, guided tours of the infamous political murals and peace walls have thrived. This paper shows how narratives of the Troubles are constructed through the performative and discursive practices of tour guides. I identify how the ethical standards of giving a truthful and balanced tour are adhered to during the tours and self-enforced among the guides. I argue that tour guides are creating a new narrative of the Troubles based on the recognition of multiple experiences of the conflict and conclude that the burgeoning tourism industry provides an outlet for negotiating representations of the past.