As a follow up to the Bonfires series this work looks at how political change is being negotiated at ground level in Northern Ireland. Belfast City Council's Peace and Reconciliation Action Plan and Bonfire Management Programme, has sought to bring about better community relations and to address environmental issues. Beacons have now replaced Bonfires in a number of communities. The first one of these was introduced in 2008 at Woodvale in Belfast after careful negotiation with the local community. In that year there where still over eighty Bonfires in Belfast alone. In 2010 and 2011 there where thirteen Beacons being used in Northern Ireland.

The Beacons burn wood chip and arrive by lorry a few days in advance of the Eleventh Night when they are set on fire. This means that the gathering of material for burning that would often start months in advance is no longer needed. Outside of Belfast other councils have also introduced other health and safety measures that include crash barriers at the base of the bonfires and covering the stacks with woodchip panels.