We just returned from a wonderful trip across the pond. No, we didn’t go to London or part of the United Kingdom, not exactly. We did go to Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom, with a trip to Belfast to kick off our overall trip which also included Dublin.
First, in Belfast some terminology is important. Nationalists or Republicans wanted Northern Ireland to separate form the United Kingdom and be part of one Ireland. Unionists or Loyalists wanted Northern Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom.
Now, on to our Belfast trip. This was a new city for both of us. Rob led us on a Troubles tour. The Troubles were a period of violent sectarian conflict from about 1968 to 1998. The conflict was primarily between the Protestant unionists and the largely Roman Catholic nationalists.
The conflict resulted in approximately 3,600 deaths and more than 30,000 injuries. The Good Friday Agreement in 1998 sought to bring an end to the Troubles by establishing a government in Northern Ireland and fostering cooperation between Ireland and the United Kingdom
Now about our Troubles tour. We walked Falls Road, which is the Catholic area. Highlights included:
A mural of Bobby Sands who led a hunger strike in a prison and was one of many others who died.- We also walked through the Garden of Remembrance to all the people who were injured or died in the area.
- Then, we visited the Eileen Hickey Irish Republican History Museum. Eileen and her sister, Susan, put the museum together with amazing artifacts. Eileen was part of the IRA until she died.
- We also went to the Falls Road museum which included history from the start of how Protestants and Catholics treated each other to the Friday Agreement and peace.
As part of the Troubles, we explored the other side and walked Shankill Road. This area was more Protestant and commemorated the police and military who were injured and died in the challenges. When we told others that we walked the sights here, they thought we were brave to do so. I guess it wasn’t necessarily the safest place to explore. We never felt scared.
Now, on to the rest of our trip to Dublin. We flew in and out of Dublin. The non-stop flights spoil us. Rob and I had each been to Dublin previously, but not together until this trip.
Here are some highlights of the trip:
- We w
alked to Phoenix Park to see the massive cross that marks the spot where St. John Paul II said Mass to masses in the surrounding green spaces. 
We took a day-trip to the small seaside town of Howth. Just a 25 minute local trian ride from Dublin, we walked, had an amazing seafood lunch, and were back in the city by about 430 p.m. locally.- One of our favorite spots (not right in city center) was called the Snug, which is a much smaller bar next to a bigger one. They had a wood-burning fireplace!
Rob’s friend Allan often visits Dublin. On our last night in Dublin, we were going to spend time with him, when lo’ and behold – all of Rob’s college buddies showed up! Every one of the six of them were there for dinner and bar stops.
Overall, our trips like this include a lot of walking, exploring areas, drinking local spirits or beers, and eating what makes the city special. From Belfast history to Dublin special experiences, it was a great trip!
