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Housing Discrimination

Memorable attack by the southern Irish government on sectarian Northern housing policies in Fintona, Co. Tyrone.

Documentary 1953 10 mins

Overview

Fintona, County Tyrone, is centre-frame of this memorable attack by the southern Irish government on sectarian Northern housing policies. This film is not merely a significant record of the history of pre-troubles Northern Ireland: it was part of it. The protests it received from the Stormont government are cited in the long voiceover prologue added to this re-released version.

The film uses a straightforward, starkly effective technique of commentary and visuals (partly filmed with a hidden camera) drawing pointed contrasts between back street conditions facing large nationalist (i.e. Catholic) families and the swish new council homes allocated to 'pro-British' (i.e. Protestant) residents, including "childless couples and spinsters". The voiceover is peppered with nationalist rhetoric, but makes a strong case on local authority discrimination. Housing injustices were later a major driver of the NI civil rights movement, while unionist fears of the South's claim to Ulster were also a factor in Northern Ireland's Troubles.

Genres

Documentary

Country

Ireland

Location

County Tyrone

Language

English