Belfast, the Present and Past

The Center for Study Abroad offered a free day-trip to Belfast, Northern Ireland and I signed up. One of my goals for the semester was to make it up there and, even though I may try to have a whole weekend in Belfast later on, the free trip was the right price for me to see the city.

We departed UCD early and began our 2-hour drive up north.

I was very surprised at how little of a border there is and how we weren't checked for passports or anything. The border is actually just a sign reminding the driver that the speed would now be posted in MPH and that is it. No police, no toll, one could easily accidentally leave the Republic of Ireland and have no idea at all.

Belfast, in the last 40 years, has had a violent history during what is called "The Troubles." The Protestant majority in the area holds loyalty to the British Crown while the Catholic minority tends to want Irish unity or at least self-government. Each population's misunderstanding of the other led to blood-shed, religious segregation, and reduced rights for the Catholics in the area. Peace negotiations in the 1990s however, did effectively end the warfare and the since time has been used to repair the city and the relations of the two groups.

I was very surprised when we arrived in Belfast at the obvious and visible separation that still exists in the city. The peace wall, which features murals from many world conflicts and portraits of many world leaders, has barbed wire at the top of it. Another wall, which separates the Protestant and Catholic areas is at least 20-feet tall and you can see Irish flags and Union Jacks on either side.

A mural of Bobby Sands, who died during a hunger strike.

A mural on the Peace Wall.

A mural of Nelson Mandela on the Peace Wall.

The wall separating the Irish and Protestant neighborhoods.

We signed in, as does every other visitor. My friend's last name is Kidder for those of you who are confused.

The downtown area, however, where we got some food and coffee, is very nice and features all the perks of a modern city. And the people are extraordinarily friendly. For example, after buying some perfume in a shop I dropped my student card in the street while trying to put it away. Not noticing, my friend and I went into a coffee shop for a drink. This man came in and asked if I was Emily. I was like "yah, that's me" wondering why in the world he would know me and he replied by handing over my card. My friend and I were amazed be the kindness! He said that he found it on the street, searched me on Facebook and sent me a message saying how found it, but supposed I may have stopped for a sip of coffee. We were seated in the back of a fairly large restaurant and he had guessed right, coming all the way through the place before seeing me.

Belfast City Hall building.

People are generally good and I experienced nothing but kindness from locals in the area.

We then went to the Titanic Museum for an awesome tour. The Titanic was built in Belfast and the displays showed us all about the designing, building, furnishing, boarding, sailing, wrecking, and drowning of the magnificent ship. The museum contained four floors of exhibits and featured a beautiful design and tons of interesting information!!

The stunning building.

A display inside, the two men were talking to each other.

After this stop we departed back for Dublin. I was, of course, exhausted by the end of the day but am very glad I can now check the city off my list!

Thanks,

The Opinionated Lassie

Additionally I discuss this trip and Cork in my related YouTube video!