#crown pub

[ilcovodelbikersgrunf]

Punk fuori dal leggendario CROWN PUB di Birmingham City Centre nel 1979

[islandsfarfaraway]

Day 14 - Portrush to Belfast

Dunluce castle did not open until 10am but we started our day earlier so we sadly had to drive by, but not without a quick picture. Our game of thrones tour continued as we drove to Cushendun to see the caves where Melisandre gave birth to the shadow baby. We took a wrong turn and ended up driving two hours off the beaten path, but it was a gorgeous drive. We reached Belfast just in time to check into our B&B, drop off the car and walk to city hall to meet Alex’s friend Sheep who had kindly offered to give us a tour of the city. Walking down to city hall to meet Sheep we started to notice barb wire, large fences and video cameras on every corner but thought nothing of it. Sheep was a great host and we learned so much about the history of Belfast. We drove to George Bests childhood home, Ulster rugby club grounds, Stormont (looked like white house), CS Lewis statue at Hollywood arches where he was from and (Rory McElroy has a house) and then several pro Protestant neighborhoods where they still proudly display their British flags. We also toured a once Protestant neighborhood (Short Strand) turned catholic where many confrontations continue today, especially on July 12th. It amazes me that they have huge walls separating their neighborhoods where bricks are lobbed over to hit caged windows on the other side. Lastly when touring the Shankhill neighborhood we came upon a Protestant march taking place right in front of us with hundreds of police and 20 or so armored police vans. They loudly played their music while marching in front of a catholic neighborhood and church but were not able to sing out front due to new laws. At any rate we didn’t stick around too long as chaos broke loose due to bricks being tossed at police and riots starting to break out. All in all it was an experience to say the least and sheep brought us back to what we now know to be the largest catholic neighborhood called lower falls where we were staying in west Belfast. No wonder we had luck finding a cheaper b&b as this neighborhood was the sight of many bombings back in the late sixties and still has a feeling of uneasiness. Earlier sheep mentioned when he drives thru pro catholic neighborhoods he has to cover up his ulster rugby jersey as it could be interpreted as a loyalist supporter. Needless to say when he dropped us off with his ulster rugby track suit on he didn’t want to stick around long but still long enough to grab a photo :) We finished the night at belfasts oldest pub the crown which was a beautiful pub across the street from the most bombed hotel in europe called the Europa. Great night out and even better day thank you Sheep.