Originally posted by InfoProvider
A bit on my country, Ireland ----
I was born and raised in Northern Ireland for 32 years before getting the hell out of there. As many of you know, Ireland has had its fair share of
Terrorism with the IRA and UDA/Police/Army and Political war going on. I myself lived just on the Outskirts of Belfast City and was witness to all
kinds of mindless thugery such as - Petrol Bombing, Car Hijacks, Muggings, Shootings and indeed Bombing, which i personally expierienced having just
been very lucky escaping 3 of them.
Racism play's it part in the different factions that seperate the community, Prodestants vrs Catholics. Ive witnessed and have been told story's of
beatings and shootings that people including friends have taken, all because of there Religion.
Respect all i say,
Regards
IP
I have always wanted to visit where my family came from in Ireland (I am an American), but I have some hesitation in traveling to Northern Ireland.
Some close friends of mine went to Northern Ireland some years back, and even though they are extremely experienced World Tarvelers (Think Africa of
all Places), they spent very little time in the area. They came across a Military Checkpoint, heard Automatic Gunfire, and left. That was about it.
From what I can tell, my family is from the Derry/County Antrim area. They of course left quite a while ago, even though there are plenty of folks
with the name still living in the area (Not as though I even know any of them however). The area has such an amazing, yet violatile history, in many
ways it seems interesting, but also a shame.
One thing I did learn however, from many living there, is that the conflict all too often attains Mainstream Publicity as a Religious Issue, when in
all reality, it is nothing more than Politics. It is less about Protestant vs. Catholic, as it is about Republican vs. Loyalist. It just so happens
that most Loyalists happen to be Brits, and most Brits happen to be Protestants. As a matter of fact, some of the very first IRA members were
Protestants (aka Pepsis lol).
How would you say that City of Derry is now-a-days in terms of strife? How about the area of County Antrim bordering County Derry?