Northern Ireland - how do you perceive it?

Yet, to be fair, in 2 minutes you can cross a 'peace wall' where those on the other side live by a very different ideology. I gather there are dozens of them across NI?

Home, I love it here. I'm from Dublin originally and moved to Belfast almost 20 years ago to be with northern DH. I wouldn't move back.

I think NI should be prouder of itself for how far it's come, it's remarkable really.

We went 5 years ago, ferry from Birkenhead, a week; Airbnb Belfast and Derry.

I am 61 so I recall The Troubles well. But I'm also aware that I perceived them from a southern English, Protestant viewpoint.

But I've learned a lot.

As such, I have a far greater understanding of the complexities of the civil war. I also read 'Trinity' 30 odd years ago. Also, tbh, 'Derry Girls' increased so many people's understanding, like of the Good Friday Agreement. Brexiteers didn't grasp that!

I see NI as a country reconfiguring itself. The Catholics' hearts go Republic; but their wallets go 'er, UK!'

But, I now believe it can live in a Belgium-like state, ungoverned yet functioning, for the time being.

So much blood has been so needlessly been spilled on both sides.

NI is a fascinating, beautiful place, with so many welcoming, clever people.

I hope it can go forward, carefully.

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board used to have fab adverts that really sold NI as a vibrant and fun place about 10 - 15 years ago.

I love it there. The coastlines are amazing. I used to visit a lot in the 90s as my cousin lived there and I feel it’s a much more chilled place now. The vibe was always a bit tense in the cities back then. I’m going again next year all things being well.

One of my children settled in Belfast almost 10 years ago so I'm over a lot. Objectively I recognise that some parts of the city are a bit rough, but I feel comfortable there. I also like the small scale of the country. You're not far from the sea, the mountains, or a beautiful green park no matter where you are.

The Giants Causeway is one of the most beautiful places I've been, it was breathtaking and we didn't want to leave.

I went there a few times in the 90s. It was an unnerving experience as it was the first time I'd seen a gun. We had to be careful about the pubs we went into. As we left the pub, a tank was driving through the street with a soldier telling everyone to clear out.

I was there once over New Years Eve and the streets were clear at midnight. We were the only people around walking past Stormont. I remember being told that the black cabs were run by the IRA.

We went to Antrim and I was surprised at the all the flags and murals. All the Union Jacks and Tricolours outside the houses and on the pavements. I remember one had a white flag waving.

I'm sure it's different now, at least I hope it is.

I spent my youth seeing NI on the news as some kind of wild West. Later I worked with people from NI and realised that there was more to the country than what the news showed.
Subsequently I've visited Belfast twice, Coleraine and Ballymoney and loved the place. I spent a night in Joey Dunlop's bar and had a brilliant time.
I'd go back any time.

Absolutely love it. Been to Belfast countless times. Went to Londonderry, Larne, Portrush and the Giants Causeway in the summer and had a great time.

I was there in the summer and found the amount of Union jacks as we drive through some villages quite odd, I'd not expected that and found it quite odd and unwelcoming (I'm not Irish but my husband was born in ROI and is 'Irish') and found the Israeli flags alongside the Union Jacks in some towns really disgusting.

Outside of those areas we had a lovely time.

I'm from ROI but don't know NI too well. I've been there a couple of times and it seemed nice.

I do have friends ( a couple) from NI and they said they wouldn't dream of bringing their family up there because of what they'd experienced. They chose to live in ROI instead. This was about 5 years after the GFA when we had this discussion.
Anotger NI friend warned me not to use my Irish language name when visiting a particular town in NI...this was less than 10 years ago. She was half joking (I think) but only half...
So that sort of thing hasn't left a very good impression. I think things have changed a lot though since 1998.

When I was teaching NI literature at a university in England in 2014-19, almost none of my students had heard of the Troubles. Their main association with NI was that it was where Game of Thrones was filmed. The ones who had visited had been to see the Dark Hedges etc.

If you like flags you'll love NI

I never been but would love to go there. I wonder if it’s a bit like Yorkshire - lots of green spaces and locals are not so easy to understand. Of course I might be completely wrong.

Moved to Belfast in the late 90s for university. Loved it and all the other towns and countryside I visited. Been back many times.

Always like to watch anything set there. Cried buckets at the end of Derry Girls, the characters were just my age.

Grew up with a Grandad who was born and raised in NI but only ever went back to visit his many siblings. He was raised on a farm. He said he would never live there again and said it was because of "the Troubles ". I always remember him saying this to me. It was difficult for him to discuss.

I have been to a wedding in Cookstown in 2008 (friends from university got married there) and from what I saw of NI was positive and I would like to return one day. Didn't get time to sightsee.

I love NI. Jump at any chance to go. Beautiful place, friendly people, so much to see. Love it!

Have friends over there. I love it and it is a stunning country and I could listen to the Irish accent all day

Landing in Belfast can feel a bit sudden/turbulent but the coastal views are great

Friendly and rainy!