This is one of the most politically influenced societies in the Western World.
Walking through the streets of Belfast will leave you with a sence of confusion, inspiration, interest and intrigue. The walls of the old town are adorned with murals of an ever-changing design.
Once the gable walls of the inner city streets were reserved solely for political and violent intent and homage. They are still there of course, but they are not the only ones to be found.
Which ever road you take, you are never far from the politics of the place. Every now and then the hills around Belfast express their interest in the affairs of this part of the Island, in the form of huge letters that can be seen for miles around.
Yesterday they read: SOS. ‘WALL ST RAPES IRELAND’.
This message was put there by small business owners concerned that the ‘Wall street Vulture Funds’ are acquiring loans offered by Irish banks to local businesses. They fear the creation of economic wastelands in Ireland as a result.
It’s a really effective way of raising political awareness and publicity. When the former Prime Minister of England, Tony Blair, visited, the message read : ‘WAR CRIMINAL’. Other messages have been quite humorous.
This photo shows the many sides to life in Belfast:
1. Current economic and political message on the hill. 2. New superhero murals replacing the tribal messages of old. 3. And the reminders of past atrocities ie. ‘Massacre ‘, on the house behind the wall.
Not forgetting the failures of the past, whilst dealing with the present to secure a future, is a constant battle on the walls of this city.
This place is inventive if nothing else!
steVe
ireland2day 
This is a fascinating glimpse of Ireland. Thank you, steVe.
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Reblogged this on beyondtheflow and commented:
I thouoght you might enjoy exploring a touch of Ireland today and here are some street murals in Belfast. xx Rowena
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If you think Ireland is politically influenced, you would find the USA appalling.
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It’s probably that Australia is pretty apathetic. Well, both parties seem pretty much the same these days.
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Hi Juliana, thanks for commenting. The politics in the US seems so large and exaggerated at times, it can make political arguments in smaller countries appear irrelevant and insignificant…at least to Americans within politics. Of course that all changes at election time when they turn Irish or Italian or Spanish all of a sudden! You should check out a previous post I did called “An American idiot at work”. It will make you laugh/ or cry I don’t know. I’ve been to the States a few times and loved it and it’s people every time. Thanks for keeping in touch. steVe
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I ditto the global element to blogging, which I absolutely love!! Being Australian, geographically speaking we’re not exactly isolated but if you are interested in things European or American, we’re a long way off and travel is expensive…especially when you’re bringing up kids. I live in Germany for 6 months back in 1992 and maintained some friendships but other than that and a couple of penpals, didn’t know anybody overseas where as now I have real friends dotted all over the globe who Iconnect with multiple times a week and our appreciation for different cultures and climates has sharpened. I deliberately have quite an Australian flavour to my blog not just as a point of difference but also because it’s who I am and I want to share it with the world. Give them a window into our beautiful and sometimes quirky country.
I would love to find out more about Ireland, which is why I follow your blog. I have been researching my family ffrom various parets of County Cork and the Irish Famine and would love to get over there. So, for the times being, I am enjoying the vicarious experience xx Rowena
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Hey Rowena, It’s so refreshing to hear and see the wonders of daily life in far-flung areas of the globe. For the main events we have the news channels. For real life experiences, poetry, writing and photos, we have our blogger friends.
I’ve never made it to Australia but my wife’s brother lives there (Canberra) and we keep threatening to go some day. Enjoy the apathy, sometimes the grass seems greener, or more exciting on the other side! Cheers, steVe
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Do I detect a change of style, steVe, with more welcome comment attached to your superb photos?
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I’m just wondering if I should provide more of a taste for what’s actually happening in this place? The culture and history as well as the feelings on the streets.
99% of my followers are from other countries so I wonder if it would be of interest to some of you?
Perhaps once a week I’ll do something wordy, but not too wordy.
What do you think?
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Certainly Steve. You have much very readable to say about your culture and history. I’ve grown up with knowledge of the troubles, but didn’t know the quality of the graffiti. I’ve also been amazed at the interest shown from all over the world in the minutiae of my daily life – even the signing off with dinner began as a joke, but people ask for recipes and explanation of things like mushy peas and black pudding. We learn so much about each other through this medium. Others’ comments help our own work to develop in sometimes unanticipated ways.
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It’s easy to see why your posts are so popular Derrick, you have a wealth of knowledge and have a delicate approach to blogging which I admire. I’ll deviate a bit from the norm and see where it brings us. Like you, I love the global response to our little lives. Thanks for the advice. steVe
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Many thanks steVe
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