View Full Version : off for Northern Ireland on Thursday
QuietShootr
02-23-10, 19:58
Slainte.
Have a good time. Last time I was there was 1999, I'm sure things have changed a lot since then.
QuietShootr
02-23-10, 20:07
Have a good time. Last time I was there was 1999, I'm sure things have changed a lot since then.
I was there last year and fell in love with it. It's one of the only EU countries that isn't PCd beyond all recognition.
Pics to follow.
My wife and I spent 2 weeks in Dublin and then a day trip to Belfast in spring 2005. It was fantastic.
One of the few places I'd like to go that I haven't been to. Subscribed for pictures.
Sweet! Standing by for pics.
Where exactly are you going?
QuietShootr
02-24-10, 21:26
Sweet! Standing by for pics.
Where exactly are you going?
Everywhere, actually. Renting a car and visiting some friends in Holywood, then up to Derry, back south through Armagh and down to Galway in the Republic. Then across to Dublin and home.
By the way: The weapons laws in the Republic? G A Y. You can't even carry a damn non-lockblade pocketknife without risking a year in the pokey. And 'dynamic shooting' (their words, not mine) meaning training or even just shooting on the move at a range is ILLEGAL.
In the North, you can get a CCW.
GermanSynergy
02-24-10, 21:38
I'm debating going to the Aran Islands next year. Always wanted to see Ireland. Enjoy your trip and take lots of pics!
I'm debating going to the Aran Islands next year. Always wanted to see Ireland. Enjoy your trip and take lots of pics!
Don't go to Ireland just for the Arans....you can see those in a day or two. Also, all the natives there speak Gaelic so they can make fun of the yanks coming over and spending money.....:D
There's a Bronze Age hill fort on Innish Moor that's pretty cool to check out, built right up against the cliffs. I have a bunch of pictures that I need to scan.
I studied Irish History and Archaeology at the National University at Galway, down in the Republic, back in '99.
If you like archaeology and history, be sure to head over to the Boyne Valley, where Dublin is, and check out the burial mounds of Newgrange. Also, head over to Scotland, up to the Orkney Islands.......I personally really enjoyed them more than the western Irish islands.
GermanSynergy
02-24-10, 22:13
Don't go to Ireland just for the Arans....you can see those in a day or two. Also, all the natives there speak Gaelic so they can make fun of the yanks coming over and spending money.....:D
There's a Bronze Age hill fort on Innish Moor that's pretty cool to check out, built right up against the cliffs. I have a bunch of pictures that I need to scan.
I studied Irish History and Archaeology at the National University at Galway, down in the Republic, back in '99.
If you like archaeology and history, be sure to head over to the Boyne Valley, where Dublin is, and check out the burial mounds of Newgrange. Also, head over to Scotland, up to the Orkney Islands.......I personally really enjoyed them more than the western Irish islands.
That's awesome! I'm a huge history buff so I'll have to check out the places you mentioned. :cool:
http://www.fototime.com/E0068DD9151BE99/standard.jpg
Sunset on the Kenmare River.
http://www.fototime.com/F0BDAAC702B1DDB/standard.jpg
"This was the ancient watchtower of Amon Sul."
http://www.fototime.com/7DBD32364E14A68/standard.jpg
View of the interior, looking out to the Atlantic.
http://www.fototime.com/18AE79D0C2C6AA3/standard.jpg
These are of Staigue Fort in Co Kerry. It's a very evocative site.
Apologies for the threadjack, but I love Ireland. Post pics when you can and have a great trip.
This is why I love the West and Southwest...
http://www.fototime.com/91C2D37FD38A22F/standard.jpg
It's still wide open.
Spent the better part of a month in Ireland last April, a week of that in Belfast. Oddly enough doing pyro for a show. It was definitely an experience and I can't wait to go back. Enjoy your trip!
QuietShootr
03-05-10, 13:34
Back - went all over that place. First some Belfast pics:
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire193.jpg
On the way...
Getting closer:
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire195.jpg
The shipyard where Titanic was built.
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire197.jpg
Anyone recognize this?
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire201.jpg
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire200.jpg
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire202.jpg
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire203.jpg
Belfast city hall:
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire220.jpg
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire221.jpg
First stop: Shankill Road (Loyalist) housing projects:
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire222.jpg
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire225.jpg
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire226.jpg
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire228.jpg
to be continued....
QuietShootr
03-05-10, 13:46
Loyalist area continued:
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire231.jpg
The hate and tension are heavy in the air. There's a truce of sorts, but the trouble is JUST below the surface.
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire232.jpg
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire239.jpg
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire236.jpg
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire243.jpg
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire246.jpg
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire247.jpg
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire248.jpg
'Peace Walls'. Barriers between Protestant and Catholic neighborhoods that are closed at dusk. All it would take is one drunken kidnapping (on either side) and the lid will come off again.
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire253.jpg
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire254.jpg
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire256.jpg
Nothing says, "Stay the **** out" like 6" rotating spikes on pipe.
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire258.jpg
Anyone who tells you this shit is over is either delusional or doing some desperately wishful thinking. The hate is strong, and multi-generational.
Next: Falls Road (Republican/Nationalist neighborhood)...
QuietShootr
03-05-10, 14:03
Entering the Falls Road, we stop at an IRA memorial:
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire261.jpg
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire262.jpg
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire264.jpg
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire265.jpg
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire266.jpg
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire268.jpg
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire271.jpg
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire274.jpg
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire275.jpg
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire277.jpg
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire278.jpg
This is the side of the Sinn Fein headquarters building. We were being followed by a British Army armored car at this point. I guess a couple of guys walking down the Falls Road snapping pictures looks a little funny to them:D. They pulled up and asked us what we were doing, and after a little conversation they bid us good day and rumbled off.
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire282.jpg
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire286.jpg
When you turn left at the Sinn Fein building and walk past the Falls Road Library, you get to see some interesting graffiti. Of particular note are the grenade screens on the library windows.
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire285.jpg
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire287.jpg
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire288.jpg
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire289.jpg
This one caused a WTF moment for me.
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire290.jpg
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire291.jpg
QuietShootr
03-05-10, 14:03
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire292.jpg
PSNI (Police) station. More grenade screens:
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire300.jpg
Some random stuff:
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire304.jpg
The Europa - the most bombed establishment in Europe:
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire312.jpg
Inside - I had to get a look before its next high-order remodel:
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire327.jpg
The Crown, across the street:
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire319.jpg
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz198/30RDP/Belfast/Eire320.jpg
I haven't processed any of my Republic pictures yet. Enjoy....
Was there in 1980, working ;). Not so much fun.
My wife and I were there, my girl is 4 so we were there almost 5 yrs. ago,we want to go back and limit our time to a smaller area and see more.
Would love to go and visit the countryside ,cities just are not my cup of tea.
awesome pics. keep 'em coming!
Great pictures. My mother was born in Mayo in the Roi and most of her family is there or Galway. Ireland is beautiful. That being said, the anti American murals show me where the IRA really stands. The British are our country's main fighting ally so I stay neutral on this issue as its non of my business. Some of the finest men I knew were British soldiers who served there. My own grandfather served in the Irish free state Army. I'm sorry to hear the area is such a powder keg. Barry McGuigan felt the populations needed to be mixed more so kids grow up less afraid of each other. As an American Roman Catholic, it still shocks me to see murals like the Cromwellian one about Catholicism. Catholic politicians in the US have had pretty much no subjective political relationship with Rome despite many peoples fears.
Business_Casual
03-08-10, 08:50
I'm shocked he took a fungible item such as a camera into a housing estate and came out on foot and not in an ambulance. Shrug.
M_P
QuietShootr
03-10-10, 15:51
I'm shocked he took a fungible item such as a camera into a housing estate and came out on foot and not in an ambulance. Shrug.
M_P
LOL... And it's a nice camera, too. Just have to keep your head on a swivel, and bring a friend with a PPW (Personal Protection Weapon, the NI equivalent of a US CCW).
ETA: It also helps to be able to sing "Little Armalite" or "The Men Behind The Wire" with equal facility :-)
Awesome pics. I had more than my fair share of drinks at the Crown.
I'm shocked he took a fungible item such as a camera into a housing estate and came out on foot and not in an ambulance. Shrug.
M_P
Great pictures Shooter! However, I didn't see any mushrooms.
Business_Casual
03-10-10, 20:14
Great pictures Shooter! However, I didn't see any mushrooms.
That's because there's not mush room in there.
M_P
quiksilverz71
03-11-10, 06:19
Great pic's, thanks for sharing
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