Murals of Belfast

I recommend a black cab tour. You don't necessary need to take a black cab, there are many companies that do it. Our first stop was the site of where the Titanic was built. The is not much to see and the closest we got was a look through a fence about 1km away. Next was our first look at the murals. These where of the Ulster's in the walled compounds just south of the city. The murals where very well done but what amazed us more is how they lived in the compounds, Catholics and Protestants on either side of the street (not sure if I have got the politics right). We weren't able to go inside the compound

Mural

Passing through the city the cabbie pointed out a number of buildings and there architecture, much of it was lost on Jenelle and myself.

The north of the city is where much of the problems occurred. It is understanding there was so much conflict given the conditions. A family lived in a small rundown flat with no bathroom and excessive rent. The murals here are very different from the previous, they are either dedicated to an individual or a group (the twelve in prison that went on a hunger strike was popular). Again they were well done and cover and any large wall. What is most amazing is the 'peace wall', a massive wall separating one community from the other. There are two large gates which still shut at 6pm on occasions. When there was still trouble it was common for 'bombs' to be thrown back and forth over the wall. Many of the buildings also have the lower windows covered in bars to stop them being smashed in on a regular basis.

We were then dropped off in the city and spent a nice afternoon walking back to the guest house passing the university on the way.