Hope tinged with caution on streets

Peace is coming quietly and slowly to Northern Ireland

Peace is coming quietly and slowly to Northern Ireland. In central Belfast yesterday most people were pleased about the referendum result, but 30 years of conflict have tempered optimism with caution.

There were no street parties, champagne or victory cavalcades. Everyday life went on as usual. The referendum result might well have been a momentous occasion but visitors to the city wouldn't have detected any special buzz.

On the banks of the River Lagan, hundreds of people gathered for Belfast's annual summer festival. Stalls sold Thai, Indian, French and Greek food.

The James Peake band thrilled the crowd with Elvis, Queen, and Elton John.

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"I'd love to think this was a new beginning," said Ms Pauline McCann, who was there with her three children. "But you're frightened to hope too much.

"The peace isn't secure. Some unionists want to destroy the agreement. If they get elected to the assembly there could be trouble. I'm worried about the marching season. It starts in a few weeks. What will happen at Drumcree?"

Jim and Diane Bradley admitted to a "split" in their household.

"This is a great opportunity to raise my family in a normal environment," said Jim. Diane voted No. "I won't believe there is peace until the IRA hand over guns. If they don't, they could start killing again at any time."

But Roy Perry from the Falls said it was the beginning of a new era. "It's a wonderful weekend for Ireland. Now the Border is sorted out, we can move on to other issues like jobs, hospitals and schools.

"The revolutionary acts of the future will be integrated education and cross-community action for better pay."

Further up the Lagan the crowd at Cutter's Wharf pub watched Dragon boats from Hong Kong on the river. It's a middle-class venue where young professionals in trainers and track-suits gather for brunch.

The tables are littered with designer handbags and mobile phones.

Nifty little sports cars sit outside. A young businessman, Mr Stephen Kelly, welcomed the result and the prospective economic benefits of peace.

"I'm hoping for major investment," he said. "I'm optimistic but it's early days yet. There is still a hardcore paramilitary element who will never be happy. There have been various bomb incidents over the weekend despite the Yes vote. Still, I think things are generally moving against those people."

Back at the summer festival further down the river, Dave and Teresa Longridge, who emigrated to California 30 years ago, sat hand-in-hand. "She's a Catholic from west Belfast and I'm a Prod from the east," said Dave.

"We never would have thought of moving back to Northern Ireland for good, but now we would consider it.

"This vote is a sign that even if people can't forget the past, they are willing to lay it to one side."