Belfast: The Troubles as Tourist Attraction

The Summer of ‘69 mural at Hopewell Crescent in Shankill, the Protestant quarter, depicts an iconic photo of two children, one Protestant and one Catholic, who, according to reports, went to bed as friends and woke up to a bomb-ravaged neighborhood and burned-out homes. This event is believed to have launched riots and the start of The Troubles in 1969. The Troubles officially ended with the Good Friday Agreement brokered by former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell in 1998. Hughes said that mural was representative of the turning point for Northern Ireland’s youth in the conflict. “Kids were told they couldn’t play with their friends any more because of their religion, the city was split … 1,800 families lost their homes in two days,” he said. “Parents created a boogie monster and inadvertently they [turned] kids against each other.”

Wall between nationalist and British neighborhoods

While the civil unrest ended with a 1992 peace accord, this wall continues to separate the protestant and Catholic neighborhoods in Belfast.

Scenes from Belfast life captured on the walls of a pub in Donecall Square North, a lively collection of pubs along an alleyway that turns into a concert venue in the evening.

In Belfast, the walls do talk, through the dozens of murals depicting the history of conflict in this city and Northern Ireland. This mural depicts IRA leaders.

On the Catholic side of the City, murals depict others who have struggled to overcome, including Nelson Mandela.

The Muddlers Club: An array of charcuterie and cheese.

Even the best restaurants embrace the history. The Muddlers Club restaurant is named after the secret society that met in its location 200 years ago. At that time, the United Irishmen met secretly as they plotted to overthrow British rule. The restaurant is hard to find. It is Tucked away between Waring Street & Exchange Place in the historic back streets of Cathedral Quarter.

The Old Fashioned at The Muddlers: the drink came with smoke filling the top of the beaker.

Salmon at The Muddlers Restaurant — an excellent meal choice!

IRA Mural featuirng Bobby Sands & Others

This mural honors Bobby Sands and other IRA leaders. Sands became a member of the United Kingdom Parliament. He died on hunger strike while in prison.

A popular spot for music and drinking, Donecall Square North is really an alley that’s been turned into an outdoor concert venue.

Flowers left in memory of British supporters who died in IRA bombing

Even today, the Protestants honor their dead, placing flowers in front of the murals on anniversaries of important events.

A gate closes off easy access between the Catholic and Protestant quarters during the night. On the Sunday we were there, they opened it at 10 a.m.

Lively signage abounds in Belfast — where murals depict more than the Troubles.

Stevie “Top Gun” McKeag is depicted in this controversial mural because he was believed to be responsible for at least 12 Catholic killings. The mural has had portions repainted to to give McKeag a more military style. McKeag died of a drug overdose in 2000.