Northern Ireland

A beautiful country bereaved with unfortunate inner conflict, Northern Ireland forms the final constituent part of the United Kingdom, with a population of 1,685,267 and almost a fifty-fifty split between Protestantism and Catholicism as the two competing religions in the region.

Political and religious strife have beset the country in recent years, but there is an indomitable spirit in Northern Ireland’s people, to weather all troubles that come their way. This spirit is reflected in the picturesque scenery, the heart of the country’s major cities, and its smallest villages.

The capital of Northern Ireland is Belfast, the center of urban life in the country. Come see the beauty of its Botanic Gardens south of Queen’s University. From the glass Palm House to the Tropical Ravine, flowers of every color, region, and perfume have been planted and crafted. The area around Queen’s College is a significant student center, home to several cafes, restaurants, and terraces along quiet, tree-lined streets.

If you’re looking for some entertainment, head on over to the Cathedral Quarter of Belfast, an area of the city that has been transformed into a trendy region of restaurants and bars. Many of the older buildings still exist there today, including St. Anne’s Cathedral, Ulster Bank, and the former Belfast Bank.

Have a drink in the country’s most famous pub, the Crown Liquor Saloon, a veritable historical monument that still serves a good pint of beer. Outside, the exterior is brightly decorated with colorful tiles and inside is Victorian flamboyance with stained glass, marble, mirrors, and mahogany.

The city’s been spending huge sums of money on renovating their waterfront and the effort shows. Mudflats have been cleaned into a deep, clear river and is lit blue at night. The weir features a lookout point and visitor center. In addition to this, the waterfront has installed the Waterfront Hall and Odyssey entertainment complexes, riverside apartments, and more warehouse accommodation interspersed with parks, footbridges, and walkways.

Belfast - Northern Ireland
An American student spending a semester abroad in Dublin ventures to Belfast for a weekend trip. This is a very well-written account, with some photos.

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TripLogs: Northern Ireland

<a href="http://triplogs.com/destination/northern-ireland/" ><img alt="Northern Ireland vacations" src="http://triplogs.com/images/link_to_triplogs.jpg" border=0 ><br><a href="http://triplogs.com/destination/northern-ireland/" >TripLogs: Northern Ireland</a>