Belfast is part of Northern Ireland, which makes up one sixth of the island of Ireland. There are just under 1.8 billion people living in Northern Ireland, and Belfast is the largest city, containing 267,500 people.
Following the Government of Ireland Act in 1920, when the island of Ireland was partitioned, Belfast became the capital of Northern Ireland. Opposing views from the Roman Catholic and Protestant populations contributed to the dividing of Ireland.
Starting in the late 1960's and continuing for 30 years, Northern Ireland experienced violence, division and discrimination between the minority nationalist community (Roman Catholics) and unionist community (Protestant). The Protestant community attacked civil rights marches and were the ones initiating fights; the Catholics were the ones getting beaten up.
These events occurred in Derry, which is northwest of Belfast, and in 1972, unarmed civil-rights protesters marched down the streets of Derry and 26 were shot by soldiers of the British Army in an infamous event known as Bloody Sunday.
Don't worry about the Troubles, though.
Instead, listen to this song while you keep reading.
Starting in the late 1960's and continuing for 30 years, Northern Ireland experienced violence, division and discrimination between the minority nationalist community (Roman Catholics) and unionist community (Protestant). The Protestant community attacked civil rights marches and were the ones initiating fights; the Catholics were the ones getting beaten up.
These events occurred in Derry, which is northwest of Belfast, and in 1972, unarmed civil-rights protesters marched down the streets of Derry and 26 were shot by soldiers of the British Army in an infamous event known as Bloody Sunday.
Don't worry about the Troubles, though.
Instead, listen to this song while you keep reading.
Belfast is under British rule, which means most people in Belfast do not speak Irish as a second language, and they use pounds as their currency.
Ryan and I took the train from Dublin Connolly Station to Belfast on Friday the 23rd. It wasn't a long trip, maybe two hours at the most, but we napped along the way.
We stayed at this great hostel, Lagan Backpackers. I highly recommend it!
We stayed at this great hostel, Lagan Backpackers. I highly recommend it!
Ryan and I had the whole day in Belfast, so we went to the Botanic Gardens, which was right by our hostel.
We walked to City Hall
And to a huge shopping center that had a great view.
We also saw some art on the brick walls of buildings!
First day in Belfast? Success. We loved Belfast!
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