Black Cab Tour

 This afternoon we took a Black Cab Tour of Belfast.  For more than 90 minutes we were toured through the streets of Belfast looking at the political murals commemorating the years from 1969 to 2000.  This period is commonly known as the 'Troubles'.  Although interestingly enough, our guide only used the term once instead choosing to refer to the time as 'The Conflict'.  This was a political conflict between the catholic sector led by the IRA (Irish Republican Army) against the British Government.  The IRA wanted political independence for Northern Ireland.  The IRA used bombs and targeted killings.  The Police/British Forces used just about as brutal of tactics.  About 3000 people were killed during the conflict.  A wall was built between the Catholic section of the city and the protestant territory.  Still today, 24 years after a peace agreement was signed, the wall still exists.  All but one of the gates between the 2 areas still closes at 6:00 pm.  Fascinating!

Belfast City Hall

Titanic Memorial

Prince Albert Clock

Peace Wall - Back of houses on the Catholic side

Belfast Mural - young Catholic men who died

And Imagine we found time for beer.  Five Lamps Red Ale


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