Belfast Part Two-The Political Tour

Following our tour of the Titanic Museum, I had arranged to be picked up by Billy,from Touring Around Belfast Tours
I have to highly recommend this experience. First, Billy was an amazing source of knowledge on all subjects, and not only did we get The Political Tour that we had signed up for, we also got a very thorough tour of Belfast. Billy was always able to answer any question that we had with both grace and humour.
In many ways it is hard to believe that Belfast now is the same city that for years tourists avoided. It was interesting to learn about all the efforts that have taken place to make these changes. This tour provided a review of the history as well as seeing the current situation.

Our tour began in an area where many muralists paint.


You can catch us here with native son, Van Morrison. Sorry I cut him off here.





See if you can identify any of these well know Northern Irelanders.
We then made our way into the Shankhill Area, the Protestant stronghold and the scene of much violence through the years.


Many modest homes are covered in Union Jacks.












Financial encouragement is given to have murals of a more historical and peaceful nature. The second below would be an example.









This a poorer area of town and many Protestants moved away from the "troubles".

Very close by is the area known as The Falls, the Catholic area.














I have to say the experience was rather chilly, thinking of all the violence that occurred and imagining what it would be like growing up in areas like this. it was interesting learning of how between these areas they are building shopping malls were equal numbers of Catholics and Protestants are hired in hopes that has people work together they get to know each other. There are many encouraging signs all over the city. But of course probably the most moving is this Peace Mural.













And here is my message. it was difficult to find space and to write near the bottom of the wall.


And here we were spotted by a BBC reporter and interviewed about why we came to interview and what we thought of the wall.



I am just going to share a few more images of a city that we honestly would have liked to have had more time to spend.



















Next blog we are off to Donegal with unexpected results.

Location:Bushmills