Crossing the Boundaries: Displacement

Panel Conversation

Over the past century, people across the island of Ireland have experienced displacement as a result of sectarian violence. Today, Northern Ireland is a place for those seeking refuge. Join us for a discussion featuring Marian Kane, Kate Rankin, and Ray Rankin as they provide valuable insights into displacement during the ‘Troubles’. Twasul Mohammed, a former asylum seeker who now works to support those seeking refuge in Northern Ireland, will also share her experiences.

The conversation will be chaired by Niall Gilmartin

About Twasul Mohammed 

Twasul Mohammed is a community organiser at Participation and the Practice of Rights working mainly with refugees and asylum seekers supporting them to campaign for housing that meets human rights standards, lift the work ban on asylum seekers and end the hostile environment imposed by the UK home office.

About Raymond Rankin BSc (Hons), MSc.

Raymond Rankin was born and raised on the Shankill Road. He was educated at the Boys Model Secondary School and studied Physics at Queens University.

He lectured in Physics at the Belfast College of Technology until he retired in 2008. He is married to Kathleen and they have 2 children.

About Kathleen Rankin

Kathleen Rankin grew up in Cranbrook Gardens, in the Glenard area, Crumlin Road. After leaving school she started working in a textile factory off the Shankill Road, then had a variety of jobs including, Mooney’s Restaurant, Shankill Leisure Centre and finally the Shankill Team Ministry as a Community Worker. She was a member of the Shankill Community Council and was a founder member of a group set up to help victims of sexual abuse.

About Niall Gilmartin

Niall Gilmartin is a Lecturer in Sociology at Ulster University. His researches and teaches in conflict and peace studies; gender and armed conflict; forced displacement; transitional justice. He has published articles in several journals including International Feminist Journal of Politics, Capital & Class, International Journal of Transitional Justice and Irish Political Studies. His books include Female Combatants After Armed Struggle: Lost In Transition?,  Northern Ireland: A Generation after the Good Friday Agreement (co-authored) and Refugees and Forced Displacement in Northern Ireland’s Troubles: Untold Journeys (co-authored with Brendan Browne).

About Borders and Boundaries

Borders and Boundaries is The Linen Hall’s new project that explores the meanings and realities of borders and boundaries in Northern Ireland throughout the last century through an exhibition and a programme of events, funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs Reconciliation Fund.