Ireland: Belfast

So our classes have addressed the issue between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, but they definitely did not prepare us for what Belfast was going to be like. We had two bus tours when we arrived in Belfast: one by a Catholic and one by a Protestant. They both explained to us the struggle on their side of the Peace Wall (seen below) and it was pretty intense. In this picture, we are on the Protestant side. Our tour guide on this side said that in 1993, he was sitting in a pub with his friends when a bomb went off in the building next to his and he had to run over and help dig out bodies of people who he knew in his town. The youngest body they pulled out was a 7 year old girl. That was only 20 years ago. 15 years ago, the peace treaty was signed to bring peace between the two sides, however nothing has changed. There is less violence but both sides say that they are scared of the other. This is why the wall has not been taken down just for that reason. The wall is grafitti'd with messages of peace and art of the peace wanted between the two sides.

"Peace for Belfast, Peace for the world."

 On a brighter note, an Oregon sticker! Northern Ireland, represent!

 I know this isn't the best picture, but these gates up ahead are what separate the two sides at the end of the peace wall. They lock shut at 7pm and open again at 7am. I felt like I was in a movie or some kind of movie set. It is insane to me that Ireland can contain a place with such history that still lies between two conflicting sides. However, the two sides do want peace, they just are scared of the other side. As long as no one makes a move, these gates will still close and lock the other sides from each other.

 There are tons of murals in Belfast as well, painting pictures of the Revolution and conflict. Bobby Sans is featured in many of them. He was one of the leaders during the Revolution. Belfast was definitely an interesting place. We talked to some people in local bars in the Belfast City Center and they said that the conflict is not a big deal, so it still is only very prevalent within the peace wall limits.