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Published: October 2nd 2006
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Free Derry
This striking mural in the middle of the street Okay I am annoyed now as I just wrote out my blog on Northern Ireland and then the computer here cut me off, without me saving it! Arggghhh!!!!
My trip into Northern Ireland began with the game of Gaelic Football that I described in the last blog on the Irealdn trip. After this we were sweaty and headed into our hostel at Derry (otherwise known as Londonderry). I got chatting to the 2 people who run it and they were really nice. That night we headed out to dinner, and afterwards Kev, Caley and myself just had a blokes night out, where we got chatting to some locals and had some friendly banter. After we got back to the hostel we found out one of the girls on the tour had stayed out a pub somewhere by herself and the other girls were worried for her. So a few of us made our way out to find her and drag her back, as we couldn't just leave her out there in a city in Northern Ireland by herself when she didn't know ther area. It was a bit of a chore but had to be done.
The next day
Peace Wall
Signing the peace wall we had a great half day out in Donegal and to Glenveagh National Park, where we toured to parklands and the castle that overlooks the lake. After our lunch here we headed back to Derry, stopping along the way for some more scenic views. We got back into Derry and got ready for our walking tour of the Derry walls. We saw where the British Army still keep a close eye on who comes in and out of the city from two high points surrounding the city. We then toured the site of Bloody Sunday, where 14 innocent civilians were killed. The area is now lined with murals on many of the walls of the housing there, each mural depicting an event suring the troubles, or having some meaning in relation to the troubles. It was very interesting.
That night we had a pizza and punch night, where for £10 we ate all the pizza and drunk all the punch we could. Needless to say most people were very merry and a fun night was had by most. While we were out at a pub that evening, I got talking to a local, who gave the line ''enjoying Ireland?'',
knowing he was waiting for me to trip up I said ''yeah I enjoyed Ireland and now I am enjoying Northern Ireland'', he gave me a knowing smile. He also told me his two uncles were high up in the IRA, but was quick to point out he has never been a part of it.
The next morning after a few sore heads popped up after the previous nights shenanigans, we headed off to the Giants Causeway. Its a beauitiful area, rivalling the Cliffs of Moher for scenery. We had a good 2 hours here and utilised every minute. I loved this spot and got some good photos and footage. From here we went to a beach, where a few were brave enough to face the cold waters. After they had gone I decided a nude swim was in order and frolicked needlessly naked in the water. I don't personally have photos of this but I am sure the others do.
From here we had lunch at a nearby pub. Then onto more scenery, with the Carrick-a rede rope bridge. Very cool. Then onto Belfast for the night, where we crashed for a while, before heading out for
a Chinese meal and some good conversation flowing. We were going to a place called The Globe for karaoke, but it wasn't on that night! What a shame!
The next morning was our last morning and we started with the Black Taxi Tours. These tours were highly informative and the drivers were really entertaining. We toured the housing estates of the Protestants, where murals depicting fighters for their cause surrounded the area and with the dark grey skies overhead, the eerieness and dark feeling was more than evident. We learnt about the murals and then to the peace wall which we signed, with a message each. There are 27 peace walls in Belfast and we even learnt that there is one underground. Why???? Well its in a cemetary and makes sure the Protestants and separate from the Catholics even in death, so their spirits don't mix!!!! There were some really interesting messages on the walls. One Aussie had written ''Fellas why are you continuing this? The game's over, go and have a beer!''. We saw more murals lined on the Catholic side and murals depicting the hunger strike of 71 lined an entire area. This was right beside the
Sinn Fein offices, where also black flags still fly to remember the hunger strike.
It was a very interesting tour and well worth it. Belfast is not as trecherous as many would believe, its relatively safe, although I had heard stories of troubles for tourists. Even a couple of Aussies got belted up recently, as they had the Aussie flag on the backpacks, obviously seeing the union jack, riled up some locals. We toured a bit more of the city, even having lunch at a Westfield!!!!! Argh. We had a bit of fun in the rain, playing a weird game, that I won't go into, and then off we were headed back for Dublin, which you can read about in my previous blog.
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