Holy Cross: Clerics Fr Troy and Rev Hamilton on the protest and resolving it

Holy Cross: Clerics Fr Troy and Rev Hamilton on the protest and resolving it

Author: Belfast Telegraph September 7, 2026 Duration: 43:24

When many people hear the words ‘Holy Cross’ - short for Holy Cross Girls Primary School – the words take them back to a dark time.  

Holy Cross is a Catholic School in a loyalist area, Upper Ardoyne or Glenbryn. 


In 2001, community tensions boiled over and led to loyalist residents protesting nationalist parents from Ardoyne taking their kids to schools through their part of the area. 


That protest became notorious for its viciousness. 

 

Two clerics, one Catholic, one Protestant became synonymous with the events of Holy Cross and attempts to resolve them.  

 

They were Fr Aidan Troy and the Rev Norman Hamilton. 

 

Fr Troy joined Ciarán Dunbar in the BelTel studio with the Rev Hamilton down the line. 


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For a clear-eyed look at the politics and people shaping Northern Ireland, turn to The BelTel. This podcast moves beyond the headlines, offering context and depth on the stories dominating the conversation. Regular voices include seasoned journalists like Allison Morris, Sam McBride, and Suzanne Breen, who bring their sharp analysis and insider perspectives directly to you. Presented by Ciarán Dunbar, the discussions are timely, informed, and grounded in the region's complex reality. New episodes arrive three times a week, each one serving as an essential briefing that investigates pressing issues, debates differing viewpoints, and informs listeners with nuance. It’s a direct line to the heart of the news from those who know it best. This is a production from the Belfast Telegraph, hosted on Acast.
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