History of Belfast, Written In Stone

Within the stone walls of Belfast City Cemetery lie those men and women who helped shape the city. From Catholic and Protestant to Muslim and Jew, from the great and the good to the poor and the destitute, each grave has its own tale to tell. In this new edition of his acclaimed publication, Tom Hartley uses the cemetery to examine key events in Belfasts history the First and Second World Wars, the Troubles, the campaign against Home Rule, and the Dockers' Strike of 1907, as well as the development of shipbuilding and other industries, the political and social life of the city, and the careers of the many writers, artists, entertainers and sportsmen who have helped to enhance the citys international reputation over the years.

'Milltown has much to tell us about Belfast's chequered past, whatever our religion or politics. Our history is bigger than our tribe. 'Milltown Cemetery, the burying ground for the Catholic community in Belfast for almost 150 years, is one of Belfast's most significant landmarks. Thousands of people come to the cemetery every year, some to reconnect with their family history, others drawn to the extraordinary stories of the people buried there. Mill workers, labourers, clergy, Italian immigrants, victims of the Blitz, soldiers of the First and Second World Wars, political activists, IRA volunteers, republicans, victims of the Troubles – Milltown's graves are a historical record of the social, religious and political life ofBelfast over two centuries. In this book, Tom Hartley, leading authority on the graveyard, guides the reader around Milltown. With over one hundred photographs, and detailed entries on over three hundred noteworthy graves, this is an invaluable guide for anyone who wants to know more about Belfast and its people.