Northern Ireland - how do you perceive it?

[TheBelleOfBelfastCity]

Genuinely just curious. I was born and raised in NI, opinions on MN seem to vary wildly from no go zone to friendly and welcoming. Trying to got a sense of what the most common thoughts are.

Have you visited? Maybe even thought about doing so? What was your opinion?

Oh lads could we maybe try for a thread on NI that doesn't rake over this old ground? It doesn't do us any favours and no one will change their minds. Could we maybe do as we do in real life and respect our differences and move forward?

Much as I would absolutely adore nothing more than to pander to your consistent, and bless you you are consistent, taunting I must go to bed as I have to drive from Dublin to Belfast in the morning like I do failry regularly as my children often go to west belfast to see their father but sadly I am far too tired and honestly all I did was answer a question. Clearly you didnt want a response you just wanted a tirade and you go for it. I have full faith you will eventually find someone to argue properly with. I wish you well. I wish your opponent even better.

I worked with someone from Belfast in the late 80's/early 90's that had lived there during the troubles, she said she was drying her hair in the front room one day when a bullet came through the lounge window and hit the back wall. Her Dad was an Orange man. She said I could go on holiday with her to see her parents but in those days people were always searched - and she said it would be best if I didn't speak in the pub.

My daughter now lives in Belfast with her boyfriend, she is very happy.

I don't think Mr or Ms "Stolen from us", "Brits", and "genocide" is on the same page as you.

Things were relatively moderate until their appearance.

My honest and no doubt unreasonable answer: my attitude to Northern Ireland is still influenced by sectarianism and the Troubles.

When I was a tiny child in England in the 70s, I had a dream that men with guns had got into our house. They asked us if we supported the IRA or... (I don't think I knew who the other lot were...) I knew nothing of Ireland but I'd obviously heard something on the news about shooting or bombing or some terrible atrocity.

As I have grown older I have read history and politics. I've visited Ireland several times but never really wanted to visit Northern Ireland.

Of course, I understand that most people live perfectly ordinary lives doing perfectly ordinary things in perfectly ordinary places. But I honestly think I have been turned off visiting by the strangeness of those groups of people on both sides of the conflict who have so recently been so completely and violently divided. It makes me uneasy. Not about anything like my personal safety, but just about the oddness of this place so close to home, but with a history that's so unlike the rest of these islands.

but just about the oddness of this place so close to home, but with a history that's so unlike the rest of these islands

Ever heard of Scotland or Wales?

Did you cut off "history" at 1800?

(And that's not even counting Scotland's recent movement to split from GB/UK).

Smh.

I used to live there. I'm not from there, though. Found it slightly surreal at the time (it was during the Troubles) between the murals, painted kerbs, armed soldiers and checkpoints.

People would guess (or attempt to guess) your religion from your name. So on the rare occasion I booked a taxi, I would use a fake (neutral) name.

The equal opportunities monitoring focused on your religion not your ethnicity/skin colour.

There were whole areas of Belfast that I would not set foot in when I lived there.

I have been back since and Belfast is very much changed for the better.

The regeneration of the docks/quays is great but I do think that CastleCourt was better in the nineties - but may be I am misremembering it to be better than it actually was!

Love NI! Been quite a few times. Belfast is a great city. Lots to do, see, eat, drink.

The countryside is absolutely gorgeous. Really beautiful.

And I’ve always found people friendly she welcoming!

So yeah, that’s what I think! Love it!

CastleCourt was better in the nineties

Yes, Castle court was the only proper shopping centre, as such, back then.

It then suffered due to out of town shopping, a second shopping centre being built (Victoria Square), large shopping centres being built in all the regional towns that didn't have them before, the demise of the high street etc etc.

The Virgin Megastore was a flagship tenant, it went under. So did many others like Miss Selfridge etc.

Two friends have moved to NI in recent years. Definitely planning to visit and have very positive feelings about NI.

My husband was once trapped in a bomb scare in Castlecourt- at 14. He said he really thought he was going to die. 30 years later he still detests going into the city.

Went to NI in the summer. Belfast is a great city and the Causeway coast is beautiful.

I meant a recent history. A living history. Paramilitaries and the army in the street. Bombs and shootings.

That's really not the same as the SNP or Plaid.

I meant a recent history

Scottish separatism is recent history.

I understand what you're saying about armed, violent conflict though.

Back on my main point, I don't think people should have such a short view of history. It's blinkered.

There are still pockets around the county that are deeply entrenched in sectarianism, but it's not the same all over.

I can genuinely say that my 20-somethings have zero interest in anyone's religion, and it would never occur to them to even think about it. Mine went to a grammar school and most of the grammars are mixed religion to some extent.

I’ve been to Belfast a handful of times and I love, love, love it. It’s somewhere I’m completely at ease - I’m from Glasgow and it feels really familiar (but better imo!). Everyone is friendly and welcoming, and again so similar. Fab restaurants, bars and pubs and just a general buzz about the place. The fact that it was in the grips of a civil war as recently as the 90s is extraordinary, really. The people are a credit to themselves.

Definitely have plans to tour the coast at some point, it looks absolutely stunning!

This!!

Sectarianism has never been a predominantly middle class thing.

Yes it felt vital and incredibly friendly. But it's been maybe 15 years since I last went. I also love Glasgow.

Giant's Causeway is special and I want to go back.

Yep, fully agree with this.

I went to Belfast about 20 years ago,the taxi from the airport was an eye opener (saw some big murals). I was working so no time to explore.

My current opinion is-

I get the impression that Belfast is a trendy and attractive city with good food.

Amazing beaches and countryside

I saw a documentary about a prison (iPlayer I think?) and found it really hard to understand some of the prisoners with really strong accents!

I have not done enough travelling in the UK and would love to see more or NI,Wales and Scotland.
Have also been to Dublin and would like to explore ROI also.

I do think that the history of Northern Ireland and ‘the troubles’ should be taught in school.
DP was in the military and served in NI. He said it was horrific.

Sorry to hear that - I imagine if that had happened to me, I would be massively put off, too.

TMI
Nobody cares.

And it wasn't taunting.

I wanted you to specify why you think the "Brits" colonised Northern Ireland and "took it from" you.

Because I'm utterly bamboozled by your understanding of Irish history, both what you've omitted (nearly everything).and what you've twisted.

It's like you've never read an actual history book.

Oh and everyone was getting on civilly on this thread before your arrival.

It's probably a more a 'working class' thing but I think there used to be an element of it in the middle class too, particularly when the Troubles were ongoing.

My local beach.