Northern Ireland 17th-22nd August 2014
Six nights in Northern Ireland was split equally between Derry (Londonderry), Ballycastle (near Giant's Causeway) and Belfast. The Causeway Coast drive was terrific, in particular the off the beaten track route of Torr Road.
Giants Causeway was a nice walk (the entire coast is really scenic). It does seem odd however that as a Unesco and World Heritage site that they allow so many tourists to climb all over the ancient rock formations. It is called Giants Causeway because of a legend about an Irish 54 foot giant who had an argument with a giant from Scotland. When the Scottish giant crossed the causeway the Irish giant realised he was much bigger and he hid in the baby's crib and put a bonnet on. The Scottish giant ran away thinking that if that is the size of the baby then I am out of my league and he ran back so fast destroying the causeway as he went so he couldn't be followed.
Derry and Belfast were good cities to visit and the people were friendly everywhere. Derry is a completely walled city (from the 17th century) and the 1.5km route made for a nice walk with great views to the inside and outside of the city. Both cities had reminders of 'The Troubles' everywhere - one pub we went to in Belfast had photos on the wall from when it was bombed. There are murals everywhere to remind people that it is still not settled. The Europa Hotel in Belfast has the record as the most bombed hotel in the world - a staggering 28 times.
In Derry we went on a walking tour that focused on the events of 'Bloody Sunday', a sad day in 1972 when British troops shot dead 13 protesters. Our tour was led by a local whose brother was one of the victims. The Guildhall in Derry had a really informative exhibition about the 'Plantation Policy' that has influenced Derry's and Ireland's history. Its a relief that the years of violent conflict are over but there is certainly still tensions when you scratch the surface.
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| Bogside mural - Bogside is where Bloody Sunday took place |
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| The street march was against British internment but got out of control resulting in Bloody Sunday |
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| Two bullet holes remaining from Bloody Sunday |
Memorial to those who died
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| Huge pipe organ in the Derry town hall - also blown up and rebuilt |
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| Derry Peace bridge |
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| Town hall with the Peace Flame |
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| Derry is the only walled town in Ireland |
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| Mural of the Peace Bridge made up with photos of people |
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| Bogside Inn from the wall |
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| Some great rugged coastline for hardy surfers |
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| Giants Causeway was so busy |
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| Sandy wasn't up for the rope bridge |
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| The Titanic was built in Belfast |
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| Main square in Belfast |
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| Duke of York pub on the RHS - in the mens toilet are B&W photos of the result of the bombing |
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| The Crown Liquor Saloon - Belfast - owned by the National Trust - the front is tiled |
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| Inside the Crown Liquor Saloon |
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| Belfast mural |
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| Europa Hotel has 272 rooms and is the most bombed hotel in the world, a staggering 28 times |
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