Northern Ireland is a lot more than just Belfast...

Our trip to Northern Ireland consisted of two parts - cities and countryside. We had our loyal little Polo with us (aka Polly) so we had the chance of going around seeing different parts. We really liked it! Rugged coastal lines and inland that is as green as ever!

When we first got to Belfast it was (unfortunately) raining, so we decided to start with the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum. Very nice. And I found a new path - think the uniform fitted me quite well so am clearly thinking of changing careers. Especially if I can work for a company that have the word Morgan in its name...

When we got out of the museum the rain had stopped, so we went south to Scrabo Tower, a very prominent land mark.

We kept on driving. The castle were as often numerous. The one below was fairly small but quite nice.

As the first night came creeping on we tried to capture the dramatic skies!

The day after we started our journey towards Belfast. On the way we saw many picturesque places...

...and of course numerous lambs.

One of the most important castles in Northern Ireland is Enniskillen. Below Maria is playing around... 

After driving around south of Belfast we went to see Belfast for a couple of days. After that we went along the northern coast towards Derry. This is where you find the most famous landmarks of Northern Ireland so lots to see! 

Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge

Giant Causeway. Legend has it that it was created as the giant Finn MacCool decided to provide a path to Scotland to engage in battle with a rival Scottish giant by the name of Benandonner. In any case, it was a magnificent place! 

On Boa Island we we searched and searched for the Caldragh cemetery, which has two double faced figures of which little is known. Not easy to find - the cemetery is small and easy to miss. But we made it!

Finally, before stopping in Derry for the night we randomly drove by Dunluce Castle. As we like castles we decided to stop and while there we decided for wait for the sun to set.  

Northern Ireland remains very much divided

In many ways Belfast symbolises the industrialisation. In the mid 1800s population quadrupled and the bustling city was producing ships and linen. It was here that Titanic was built.

It is a very interesting city in another way as well - it's still a divided city (although they tell me that the split is slowly disappearing among young people). The 'troubles' is officially over but last year the gates that keep the Protestants and the Catholics apart were closed seven times. And the driver, who is catholic but married to a protestant lives outside the city as 'the city don't like mixed marriages'. The city is obviously not healed. The way that both catholics and protestants express themselves is through murals - there are a lot of them. The picture was repeated in Londonderry, or Derry as it is also known (depends on whether you are protestant or catholic), the city where the Bloody Sunday took place in January 1972.

Hotel Europa is Belfast's only 5 star hotel (or so I have been told). It is also the most bombed hotel in Europe...

Following the 'Bloody Sunday' in Derry the riots spread to Belfast, which saw the most bloody rioting during the 30 year conflict known as 'the troubles'. It all started in Bombay Street, which was burnt to the ground by a Loyalist mob on 15 August 1969.

Sinn Fein's (political wing of IRA) headquarter on Falls Road

Catholic murals

The peace wall. Keeps catholics and protestants apart. 

Protestant mural

 Protestant neighbourhood

Protestant mural. Titanic mural in the background

CS Lewis was from Belfast. He is examining the wardrobe leading to Narnia in 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' 

Parliament

Maria in action

Derry. The place of 'Bloody Sunday'

Neighbourhoods are quite territorial. Catholic part...

...and the protestant part

Vampiric ‹ Fotoble

Amazing Ryo from our shoot the other day... This look could easily have fit right into Twilight. See more here: Vampiric...

And more model photos: Modelling gallery