And have you?
20-09-2013, 12:03 PM
34
Re: Peace & Quiet
Originally Posted by Grumblewagon
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Glad you had a good holiday.. I must confess that I never liked my time in N.Ireland and any subsequent visits did nothing to change that. I have no plans to ever see it again - too many bad vibes.
George matey, I think you'll find a big difference in comparison with your previous time there - Belfast is a vibrant city and whilst the sectarian 'troubles' haven't entirely disappeared, they are very substantially diminished and its 'safe' to be out and about in the centre of the city at night.
20-09-2013, 01:58 PM
36
Re: Peace & Quiet
The last time I landed at 'George Best' airport (actually, I think it was called Belfast City then, and I think it was the Short Bros. airfield before that), the pilot announced, " We are about to land at Belfast city airport. Please put your watches back 50 years".Actually, that was a joke told by a local. They did have a sense of humour - they needed it! I remember one slogan painted on a wall. It read "no Pope here" and underneath someone had added "lucky pope".
No, I was always aware of the deeply rooted beliefs, suspicions and mistrust between communities. Not to mention the influence of the church (not unlike what I experienced in the Western Isles years later)
and of course, the fear and loathing by all sides of the armed paramilitary 'police' .
Sorry - too many bad memories. As a church minister once told me "there's nothing wrong with the country - it's only the people that spoil it". True, it is a beautiful country. Or as Merlin Rees, when he was the N.I. secretary allegedly said on the plane after his first visit to Belfast, "What a bloody awful country. Give me a double whisky".
I'll drink to that.
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