1. How would you describe the tone and purpose of this
excerpt from O’Callaghan’s memoir?
2. What was different for the author about watching this
news report of violence? How did that affect the author?
3. What job didn’t the author get? What does she think
is the reason? What effect does this have on her?

4. Which words in the last paragraph help reveal the author’s
feelings of despair about Belfast and her life there?
5. At the end of the Upfront article, historian Robert
Savage says, “Society in Northern Ireland is still deeply
divided.” Based on the article and the excerpt from
O’Callaghan’s memoir, why do you think divisions still
exist in Northern Ireland?