The “Troubles” in Northern Island may be over, but they're not forgotten. In Bogside, the Catholic area of Derry, signs, murals, monuments still proliferate in the streets.
The “Troubles” in Northern Island may be over, but they're not forgotten. In Bogside, the Catholic area of Derry, signs, murals, monuments still proliferate in the streets.
This reminds me of our guided tour of “The Troubles” of Belfast. We were there in a group of 12 people because were up there performing at a music festival. Our taxi van driver, Jimmy, also gave guided tours of The Troubles (from a nationalist point of view). He took us through many of the key sites showing us the different schools segregated by colour near the “peace line”. It was only a few months after they had some more Troubles in 2010. Amazing recent history!
Belfast tomorrow. There are a lot of preparations in Northern Ireland right now for the Orangemen’s Day on July 12. Union Jacks everwhere. It will be interesting to see how Belfast compares with Derry, and whether the “Troubles” seem as distant there.
So glad they spend money to make these monuments. They’re powerful moments in a traveler’s journey.