Visit Northern Ireland's Capital

Belfast is the second largest city on the island ofRepublic of Ireland gained its independence from
Ireland and the largest in Northern Ireland. Its rich,Britain. Although it was heavily bombed in World
and sometimes troubled, history is a source ofWar II, it remained relatively peaceful up until the
fascination to many visitors to Ireland and it is1960s and the beginning of the Troubles.
well worth visiting.What started out as a civil rights movement
The site where Belfast stands now has beenexploded into over three decades of shootings,
inhabited for thousands of years, with evidence ofbombings and street violence. However, Northern
human life there dating as far back as the BronzeIreland's capital has put these sad times behind it
Age. However, it was not until as recently as theand in the past 10 years has blossomed into a
17th century that it began developing into the citypeaceful and progressive city.
it has become today.The Provisional IRA has decommissioned its
It established itself as a major industrial centre inweapons and the British Army presence on the
the 18th century providing everything fromcity streets is minimal. Also, recent political
tobacco to ships. In fact, Harland and Wolff wasdevelopments have seen sworn enemies coming
at one point one of the largest shipbuilders in thetogether to govern the country.
world. It was here that the ill-fated Titanic wasToday, Belfast and Northern Ireland are as safe
built, although it was never to return.and welcoming as any other part of Ireland and
In the early 1920s Belfast became the capital ofoffer sights and experiences that should not be
the newly formed Northern Ireland, as themissed.