Belfast is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, situated on the banks of the River Lagan It was the birthplace of the RMS Titanic, which tragically struck an iceberg and sunk in 1912 on its maiden voyage to New York.
As we arrived late, we headed straight for Belfast City.
Belfast, Capital City of Northern Ireland, we were greeted by colourful murals lining the City’s streets, making known to us of the century’s old sectoral conflict and political rife in Belfast. These artistic political murals some dating back to the early 1900s has carried on over the years as an outlet for political statements. These mural painters have made a canvas of street peace walls and building peace walls etc during "The troubles", a most violent period of war and riots between Protestant and Catholic factions in Northern Ireland that lasted from 1969 to 1998.
Belfast's Loyalist Protestant, Shankill Neighborhood
Building Walls in Belfast’s Shankill Protestant Area, is covered in murals that depict masked, gun-toting loyalist fighters. Is the largest Protestant community.
Murals by Loyalist proudly display United Kingdom flags and celebrate Northern Ireland’s colonial relationship with Great Britain. Murals in Catholic neighbourhoods boast Irish flags, commemorating nationalists who lost their lives fighting for an end to British rule and the reunification of Northern Ireland, which remains part of the UK, to the independent Republic of Ireland in the south.
Every available wall is painted with murals of the "political strife" in Belfast and other Cities in Northern Irealand
Crumlin Road Gaol(Prison) first opened its gates to prisoners in 1846 for 150 years. In 2012 the Victorian Era Prison was reconstructed and listed as a Heritage Monument. The Prison is now opened as a tourist attraction a conference centre and it also hosts concerts.
St Anne's Cathedral Church, Belfast
St. Anne's Cathedral or Belfast Cathedral is a Protestant Cathedral locate at Donegall Street, Belfast. Built in the 1900 replacing the old St. Anne's Church built in the 1776.
Donecall North Square Street
Restaurant, Pubs and cafes.....one of the interesting streets in Belfast
Street Mural
Victorian Era St. George's Market in Belfast. A covered market located on May Street, close to the River Lagan and the Waterfront Hall. It was built in three phases between 1890 and 1896.
Our Lunch at St. George's market ...Indian food.
Smitfield Market
Pottinger's Entry one of the few oldest Streets in Belfast
Belfast City Hall
It is lunch break...basking in the sun ..... enjoying their lunch and while away and watch the news on the Public TV screen at City Hall ground., a good rest area after the long tourist walks..
The Public TV Screen.
Close to City Hall are lots of Restaurants and Cafes...we dropped in this cafe to have tea and pies.
The next day, we left Belfast for Londonderry.
Old Castle at Glaenmoreney
150 years old Church of Ireland near Ballymena
Ballymena
On to Ballycastle....... driving leisurely on scenic country roads through Villages and Small Towns.
Ballycastle Town
Tourists enjoying the fine weather near the coast at Ballycastle
Leaving Ballycastle for the Giant Causeway
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