We traveled by train from Portrush on the northern coast of Northern Ireland to the city of Belfast. Joan was a bit anxious about our plans for touring Belfast due to its history of violence from the years of the “Troubles”. We had done our research before traveling there and knew that since the Good Friday agreement was signed in 1998, that Belfast has actually become one of the safest cities in Europe.

We wanted to experience the city and learn about the history and why the area had been embroiled in violence for so many years. We in America heard it was the Catholics vs the Protestants, but the Troubles really were not about religion, it was much deeper and more about political, cultural and nationalist beliefs.

We did a walk about the city when we arrived. It was once a hub of industrial power in ship building, linen manufacturing and rope manufacturing during the 1800’s and early 1900’s. The Titanic was built in the shipyards of Belfast. We will tour an exhibition about it tomorrow, along with a personal Black Cabbie tour about the history of the “Troubles”.