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Ireland Travel Destinations

Ireland Travel Destinations

Ireland Travel Destinations of Belfast Murals Tour is the best way I discovered its history and cultural values depicted in this colorful street art.  Belfast and Derry exoress the most political murals in Europe.  The Belfast Mural Guide estimates that there are approximately 300 good quality murals in the city.  Furthermore, these murals display along the famous Peace Wall, buildings and gates.  Finally, in the summer of 2017, I hired a taxi with a friend for a 3-hour tour of these murals and the Peace Wall.  Overall, here is what I learned, plus, photos of my 10 favorite murals.

Northern Ireland History of “The Troubles”

The tumultuous history began in the 1920’s.  Northern Ireland remained under British Rule, while the Republic of Ireland claimed independence.  Also, comparatively the conflicts reflect in the religions. North identified as Protestant and the Republic as Catholic.

Later in the 1960’s the conflict ignited to the level of  a civil war, with most of the violence in Northern Ireland. Finally, ‘The Troubles’ ended in the Good Friday Agreement of 1998.  Most importantly, more than 3,500 people died during “the Troubles’ and about half of these deaths were in Belfast from bombings and shootings.

    Belfast Ireland Murals
    Ireland Travel Destinations

    The Fascinating Belfast Murals Tour – My Top 10 in Photos

    by Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac April 13, 2025
    written by Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac

    Seeing the murals of Belfast is an eye opening way to discover its history and cultural values, depicted in this colorful street art.  Belfast and Derry have the most political murals in all of Europe.  And Belfast displays about 300 good quality murals throughout the city.  Furthermore, these murals display along the famous Peace Wall, along with nearby buildings and gates.  In the summer of 2017, I hired a 3-hour Belfast Murals tour.  Overall, here is what I learned, plus, photos of my 10 favorite murals. 

    Northern Ireland History of “The Troubles”

    The tumultuous history began in the 1920’s, when Northern Ireland remained under British Rule, while the Republic of Ireland claimed independence.  Also, comparatively the conflicts reflected in the religions, with the North as Protestant and the Republic as Catholic.  

    Later in the 1960’s the conflict ignited to the level of becoming a civil war, with most of the violence in Northern Ireland. Finally, ‘The Troubles’ ended in the Good Friday Agreement of 1998.  Overall, more than 3,500 people were killed during “the Troubles’ and about half of these deaths were in Belfast from bombings and shootings.  In addition, about 50,000 people were injured. 

    The Peace Walls – Belfast Murals Tour

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    Finally, getting to see all this as reality!!

    During this conflict, the citizens of Belfast built the Peace Wall to divide the Catholics and Protestants.  Starting in 1969, these peace walls now stretch over 21 miles (34 km). Eventually, the walls became a canvas to express through murals the political views and tumultuous history of this community. Consequently, these articulate murals evolved over 50 years into some of the most expressive and famous political murals in the world.

    My Top Ten Belfast Political Murals

    IMG_3897

    Firstly, this colorful yet solemn collage depicts those that participated in the Hunger Strikes of 1981 and is my favorite.   Eventually, the hunger strikes became a showdown between prisoners and the British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher. Even more, one hunger striker, Bobby Sands became elected as a member of parliament during the strike while in jail. However, Sands and ten prisoners starved to death from their hunger strike. It’s overall very emotional to see this chilling reminder that these individuals sacrificed their lives in the name of freedom.

    Bobby Sands became an icon of the times for many reasons, including his poetry that he wrote throughout the protest. Most notably, his best work includes poems, such as, Weeping Winds (end of blog) and The Rhythm of Time. Furthermore, Sand’s anthology, Skylark Sing Your Lonely Song shares many of his poems and narratives. Plus, his poetry was sung by Sean Tyrell for his album A Message of Peace.

    IMG_3821
    International Peace Day on September 21st
    IMG_3913
    Also, Modern Concerns for the Future
    IMG_3846
    IMG_3790
    Comparing ‘the Troubles” to Nelson Mandela’s Apartheid
    IMG_3799
    Solidarity of Cultures

    This mural symbolizes the similarity between the Israeli occupation of Palestine and the British occupation of Ireland. More abstractly, it represents the solidarity between the two cultures.

    IMG_3854
    IMG_3834
    IMG_3833

    Built in Belfast Harbour, the Titanic set sail in 1912 on its fatal voyage. Furthermore, the ‘Ship of Dreams’ made Belfast’s dock the major trading post that it is today, by improving infrastructure. The region is now named Belfast’s Titanic Quarter.

    Related: Literary Dublin & Guinness Brewery – A Walking Tour

    Overall, My Belfast Murals Tour

    Being old enough to remember “the Troubles” in Ireland, I appreciated coming here to learn firsthand about this colorful history. Furthermore, these murals invoked a deep emotional empathy for me toward all those affected by the civil unrest. Most importantly, it’s now mostly peaceful in Northern Ireland. However, these murals candidly express their truth, reminding us of the perilous past, and hope for unity in a peaceful future. Finally, the best way to sum up this time and history is by a poem from Bobby Sands:

    Weeping Winds

    Oh! Cold March winds your cruel laments
    Are hard on prisoners’ hearts,
    For you bring my mother’s pleading cries
    From whom I have to part.
    I hear her weeping lonely sobs
    Her sorrows sweep me by,
    And in the dark of prison cell
    A tear has warmed my eye.

    Oh! Whistling winds why do you weep
    When roaming free you are,
    Oh! Is it that your poor heart’s broke
    And scattered off afar?
    Or is it that you bear the cries
    Of people born unfree,
    Who like your way have no control
    Or sovereign destiny?

    Oh! Lonely winds that walk the night
    To haunt the sinner’s soul
    Pray pity me a wretched lad
    Who never will grow old.
    Pray pity those who lie in pain
    The bondsman and the slave,
    And whisper sweet the breath of God
    Upon my humble grave.

    Oh! Cold March winds that pierce the dark
    You cry in aged tones
    For souls of folk you’ve brought to God
    But still you bear the moans.
    Oh! Weeping wind this lonely night
    My mother’s heart is sore,
    Oh! Lord of all breathe freedom’s breath
    That she may weep no more.

    April 13, 2025 0 comments
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  • Ireland Travel Destinations

    Literary Dublin and Guinness Brewery – A Walking Tour

    by Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac April 13, 2025
    by Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac April 13, 2025

    In Dublin great Irish literature and Guinness go hand in hand. Every corner there’s either a literature plaque or pub. And the Guinness Brewery is the ultimate mecca, where many tourists end …

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  • Ireland Travel Destinations

    Northern Ireland’s Epic Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle & Dark Hedges Tour

    by Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac January 1, 2025
    by Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac January 1, 2025

    Doing a Northern Ireland Causeway Coastal tour should be on everyone’s bucket list.  It’s well-known for being one of the most beautiful drives in the world with many scenic stops along the …

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Hello, Hola, Namaste, Ni hao, Ciao and Bonjour! My name is Trudy and I have been traveling like everyday is my last, over the last 10 years. I've visited 105 countries and still counting! As an Acupuncturist and traveler, I love sharing my experiences and tips on travel and wellness. Feel free to join below my community for coupons and latest travel guides.

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Budapest is the crowning jewel of the Danube River Budapest is the crowning jewel of the Danube River. The city lights up the banks with historic treasures from its architecture, bridges and culture. Even more, Budapest is known as the “World’s Spa Capital,” offering 100 local thermal springs. The flow of the river takes you through time and the many layers of the Budapest Hungary top attractions.

During my 5-week tour in Central Europe and the Balkans, I experienced 5 days in Budapest. I visited all these 20 attractions in 5 days. All this time was needed to fully enjoy the sites. Budapest’s World Heritage Sites include the Buda Castle Quarter, Banks of Danube and Andrassy Avenue. I love sharing tips and recommendations. 

Pictures: Chain Bridge, Shoes on the Danube Monument, New York Cafe, Gellert Spa and Hotel, Central Market, Liberty Bridge, Matthias Fountain

Check out my blog on Budapest:
https://truewindhealingtravel.com/budapest-hungary-top-attractions/

#budapest
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Check out my blog/video:
https://truewindhealingtravel.com/langkawi-malaysia-day-tour/

#langkawi #langkawiisland #langkawiisland🌴 #malaysia #malaysiatravel #southeastasia #southeastasiatravel #southeastasiacruise #cruise #beaches
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Check out my blog/full video:
https://truewindhealingtravel.com/split-croatia-highlights-tour/
It is claimed to be the narrowest street in the world. With a width of about a meter in some places, the street is just a few meters long.

#splitcroatia #croatiatravel #croatia #cruise #europetravel #streetlife #streetphotgraphy #narrowstreets #travelblog
Historic Dubrovnik is known as the “Pearl of the Historic Dubrovnik is known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic.” It’s astounding scenery and architecture make for an incredible getaway to a cultural landmark in Croatia. As an Acupuncturist-at-Sea, I spent 2 days in this port-of-call and enjoy sharing the highlights of Dubrovnik’s Walled City Tour and Lovrijenac Fortress.

Check out my blog/video:
https://truewindhealingtravel.com/dubrovniks-walled-city-tour/

#dubrovnik #dubrovnikoldtown #croatiatravel #croatia #cruise #balkans #europetravels
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Check out my blog/video:
https://truewindhealingtravel.com/bodrum-turkey-travel-highlights/

#bodrum #turkeytravel #turkeytravels #mediterraneanlife #cruise #travelblog #bodrumturkey
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