Belfast

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We have also done a couple of trips outside the city: a closer the other more distant. The nearest was at Malahide Castle in County Sword. It is located about 15 km north of Dublin. If you visit the office of tourism of O'Connell Street get all the info and you can buy the tickets directly. The bus leaves in front of the tourist office. This is an old castle owned by an Irish family from 1185 to 1976! It is said that the ghost is Puck in the rooms of the castle and there are many tests of his sighting ... adjacent to the Castle you can visit the beautiful Botanic Gardens.

The second trip (more challenging) was made in Belfast, capital of Ireland Nord.Ci takes about two hours by train from Dublin to Belfast and I must say that unfortunately one day is not enough to visit the capital of Northern Ireland . When we decided to go in Ireland had planned an episode in the area of the "troubles" of the unrest that characterized the years of raw and violent struggle between Catholics and Protestants, between unionists and Orange. E 'uno spettacolo decadente go to a place to capture the tragedies of a people with their own camera. If you do not return back again ... but the desire to see if what is written and that corresponded to reality was too strong ... we left early in the morning to try to enjoy throughout the day. Arriving at Belfast Central station immediately understand that the climate is not the most serene. There are policemen in its anti-riot in every corner, armored at the station ... we repent almost immediately. But in reality, we understand almost immediately that this is only preventive measures, and soon there is a habit (purtroppo. ..). To you reach the center of the city by walking to York Street and visit the Belfast City Hall (City Hall) theater numerous extremist event.
We head towards the shopping area (Cornmarket) and then go to the tourist office in North Street. Here we are offered a ride on a "taxi people" for the hot neighborhoods in the city, where the troubles were severe, bloody clashes and where there is still some distrust between Catholics and Protestants. These are two areas: Falls Road and Shankill Road. Areas are bleak if it were not for the murals painted on houses that recall the darkest moments in recent history of Ireland. The area is bounded Catholic from the Falls Road and from Protestant Shankill Road. The taxi people "is a Transit with a dozen seats, which is obviously full of themselves (stupid, including myself ...) tourists who come in the way" safe "in the two areas to see the most infamous of the city. The tour costs £ 10 a head.
The two areas are now devoid of any interest, if it were not for the murals (beautiful but full of deep hatred and indignation toward the enemy) and the streets are often colored by Irish flags (at Catholic) and British (in the Protestant instead). The tour also includes several police stations (blindatissime), areas of fighting, the "door" that divides the two areas and still is closed (in July) during the commemoration of the victory of William of Orange to Catholics . This event has been the scene of clashes in the day and the walls of the area are soiled paint and windows of the houses shielded by protection against the launch of stones by the "enemies".
The driver also acts as a guide but I must say that some 'dialect, un po' my ignorance ... all understand it was not easy ... in several places you can go but the advice is to not leave by the group. The inhabitants of the area you are looking (rightly!) As a lion in a cage watching the visitor feel ... zoo animals and this should not be piacere.E 'Clearly, however, pay a driving part of the collections to different families to avoid problems with this source of income ...
Another tip: if you get off the taxi and some of the inhabitants are offered to make a picture in front of a mural NOT ACCEPTED! This is a little trick to take your camera and run away! The guide was repeated 10 times and we when we are down we were approached by a guy who has asked to do a photo ... prophecy never was so right!
The police is present everywhere with armored (as seen in the movie "Bloody Sunday") and people walking on sidewalks fast. The guide told us that when the problems are reduced to clashes between youth gangs, thugs more than religion ...
After the tour there is time to take some souvenirs on the streets of central Belfast to return to the station and head towards Dublin.