 UK :: Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is a curiosity. You can drive around it in a day yet, from
the outside, it seems a much larger place.
It has such a disproportionate reputation compared to its size for one reason
of course - due to the ongoing political dispute between the (Catholic)
Republicans (who want a united Ireland) and the (Protestant) Unionists (who want
to stay part of Great Britain).
The world’s attention has been focused on Northern Ireland for so long, and
for all the wrong reasons, only the actual experience of the place can bring it
into perspective.
Ulster (as it is often called) is reinventing itself. The ‘Troubles’ are
still an issue but it really seems that Northern Ireland is moving on, even
developing as a tourist destination.
The reality of Northern Ireland is well worth discovering. It has much to
offer for a simple holiday or any other type of visit.
There are small towns like Armargh and Omagh where the warmth of the people
is heart warming. There is some fabulous coastline (Antrim), a magnificent
capital (Belfast), some unique attractions (the Giant’s causeway)
Both Northern Ireland and the Republic (the South) are in the European Union
and, just like on mainland Europe, crossing between the two countries requires
no border formalities. Indeed, you don’t even notice where the Republic ends
and Northern Ireland begins if you drive from one to the other.
Like the rest of the UK they use ‘real’ money (the Pound Sterling) and
the roads are considerably superior to those of the south.
Next >> Irish Political Murals
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