Article: Northern Ireland residents feel cautiously optimistic about the future. (Originated from Knight-Ridder Newspapers)

CROSSMAGLEN, Northern Ireland _ Visitors to Crossmaglen, a Catholic village of 2,000 in the southernmost part of County Armagh in Northern Ireland, can't help but notice the Irish Republican Army sign that features a hooded man brandishing a rifle.

It plays on a ``Men at Work'' construction sign _ except this one reads ``Sniper at Work.'' Recently, someone modified the marker by adding the words ``On Hold.''

For the first time in 25 years, the snipers are off duty.

This peaceful winter has transformed Northern Ireland. In the months since the Irish Republican Army announced its unilateral cease-fire, and its Protestant counterparts followed suit, ...

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