Imagine a Belfast Without Walls

A Belfastology Walking Tour

Street Art, Political Murals and Peace Gate 

  

   It was in 2013 that a Street Art Festival/Convention began, entitled Hit The North, when a mix of local plus invited Artists from all over came together to create a collective expression of their Art form on the walls of the Cathedral Quarter here in Belfast. Fanning out from the Black Box, (on who's gable wall was the only space they had done so over a period of years during the Cathedral Arts Festival) in the city centre. 

  And it's from the Celtic Cross on the side of the St. Anne's or Belfast Cathedral that we'll start to explore these different art forms. After exploring some of the Street Art in the Cathedral Quarter, we'll go into the West of the city to view the more Political Murals as they are known.   Pass along the International Wall. See the notorious  Peace Wall, and then pass through a Peace Gate to view a symbol of Peace and Reconciliation which is a digital form of expression from both sides of the divide. 

   It's on this side of the peace line that we'll see further examples of Political Murals and more expression from the local community with some of the more striking messages from a project known as Re-Imaging Murals. Which has grown over the years in conjuration with local community organisation, the Housing Executive and local Council. 
  We will then descend back into the Cathedral Quarter just in time to take in other events happening. Finishing for a wee cup of tea in the Black Box. Where this event will be happening.

 https://imaginebelfast.com/events/dare-to-imagine-change/

 As part of the Imagine festival. And you can get tickets for what has become one of the most important festivals for many groups both near and far on a plethora of subject matter the World over. 

   P.S. And if your going to a free event and see a donation box, Please add to it, as many of these organisations plus the festival survive to help local groups. I have reduced the price of my walking tour to £10 and will give all those who believed my experience was worth £15 a £5 refund. And give £5 from all others booking tickets to the Imagine Festival 

/https://imaginebelfast.com/events/walking-tour-of-murals-street-art-and-the-peace-gate/

Belfast to Barcelona in the Spring time

  As I live in Belfast near a peace wall which divides communities. It was refreshing to land in a city now also going through a period of change for it's people and places And trying to bring down the barriers between rich and poor.  

  Permaculture closer Community Organisational ties, together with more alternative methods of bring more of the issues to the fore by lesser represented groups, is leading to a more cohesive understanding for both cities. 

 The recently elected Ada Calua now has inequality in her sights. The New Mayor of Barcelona having gained office has wasted no time bringing other parties together for the betterment of Barcelona. And I for one would Love to form closer ties with this great portal city. (number 1 for cruise ships to dock in). And with Belfast fast growing it's reputation as a space for tourists to share their LoVe of all that is good about a City. 

 Barcelona to me this time felt a safer place to be in. The notorious 'La Rambla' once a haven for pickpockets was now swarming with armed police, tourists, and the bad press surrounding some it's lesser attractive issues, have only helped enhance it's appeal and the image Barcelona is now trying to build. 

 I had gone to help my friends redevelop the garden, of the new house they had just bought. (buying a house a meager fete in itself here)  Buying property,  understanding how the way of life affects the ordinary way of life was one of the aims of my travels this time. 

   Having just started an Alternative Walking tour in Belfast, in conjunction with a local Street Artist. I wanted to get deep down and dirty in the city we all know as Barcelona. Renowned for it's great Architect in Antoni Gaudi, and of course the greatest Spanish football team of all (FC Barcelona), or should I say Catalan football team.

   I spent the first couple of days reacquainting myself with the city, strolling the Mediterranean waterfront, before I started looking for the Street Art on the inner city walls. As I meandered endlessly to find out more about the real side of life in the city. 

 I first discovered a community garden just of off  'plaza de espana' were I believe Barca football fans celebrate their winnings. But this was no ordinary space. On one side stood a 8 story building earmarked for demolition in a area of regeneration. And on the other a gated off area complete with a cargo Container for an Office, were I first met Christina. The project manager. Who was just going to lunch, but had time to fill me in on some of the art that was on the walls. And how the nation of transient people moved and traveled in a country now full of homeless displaced people. 

  The following day I sought out The Alternative (Free) Walking Tour of Barcelona, not what I was expecting but well worth every yen of the 5,000 I gave the guide Joseph a native English speaker like myself who had been in the city since 2003. I could relate to a lot of what he told the group of three that had joined him for the tour. Lots of it controversial, and I could see by my compatriots expressions, that the  revealing topics, they found difficult to comprehend. This tour was exactly what I was looking for, and lead me to my next destination. A Permacultural Garden and home to a community, in a disused Monastery high about the city in a lesser populated area of the Metropolis.

  The next day I took the Metro. And exited onto a busy road. with a park as the central reservation. Kids where playing football with their Dad. While youths played Basketball, in the games area. And over the din of the traffic I could hear and see parakeets, among the palm trees. I continued along the central reservation. Till I got to the turn off that lead me to a dirt road that went up the side of a steep hill.
  I soon found myself in a local woodland with great views of the City and the Mediterranean below me. On arrival at my destination I was greeted by a group of volunteer workers, busy preparing for an open day of the garden and communal house. The project had been running 15 years. and you could see the progress on the old Monastery that had been made. With well laid out gardens below.
 I heard a mixture of accents here, English, French, Spanish (of course) German, and spoke in English with some of the residents from Sweden.
  Those not busy preparing the House for visitors where working on the veggie fields. Preparing for the growing season. I lent a hand spreading compost and covering it with hessian sacks. That not only suppressed weeds, but also helped keep moisture in the ground. This to me was the best differentiation of Permaculture I had ever come across. Totally self-sufficient. And discovered I could help out every Thursday, and return receive free veg, and meals for that days work. And the next time I go back to Barcelona. As long as I do some chores i could stay there for up to 2 weeks.

  Looking back on my visit to Barcelona now. I can draw similar comparisons to life in Belfast. Which has changed so much since the signing of the Good Friday  peace agreement. The locals now have a more focused want of betterment for their kids and respected for those around them. Thou it is said it will take a least 2 generations to overcome 'the Troubles' of the past 40 years.
  The still divided communities, are learning to forgive. And it is hoped by 2023 the fences that still divide the cities communities will come down. The first of which has been replaces by something people can now see each other at least.
   The changing dynamics of tourism and new settlers from all over the world are also bring lots of  cultural and ethnicity to a city that was once a little more diverse than of late. as I have mentioned in other blog posts. Many business are now setting up here, as they have found N. Ireland has the skills and infrastructure they seek. But along side wealth lives poor and sometimes socially challenging discontent. The growing shift in population from both troubled and discontent peoples from all over the world has brought differences not seen or suppressed by the period called 'the Troubles'
 The motto for Belfast City Council is 'For so much what shall we give in return' And in this lays the struggle to help those who pay taxes for services.
   Community organisations the center of bringing a more harmonious vibe to their people, receive help and guidance from council. New business also benefits from workshops. And the changing world has given rise to social enterprise, now seen as a valuable source of improving the environment and deprivation.
  Like in Barcelona I see and hear the views of the locals being addressed. We don't live in a perfect world, but believe intercultural relations is the way, to help achieve a better life for all. The emergence of community gardens on otherwise disused space in Belfast. Ever closer ties between community organisation. A city that is now attracting visitors from all over the world, To festivals and globally recognized events. Inward investment All make N.Ireland a exciting place to live right now.  

   

 

  

  

A Botanical Sunday

 On a Sunday morning after a blustery night of heavy showers (says you tell me something different)
I came across a guy in his boxer shorts, simulating a swim in a poodle of water just down a bit from  Benedict's  Hotel in Bradbury Place. Who had than got up and ran back to his mates, ( a group of Welsh Rugby fans over for the rugby match   Ireland v Whales later that day in Dublin ) to collect his prize. Running back to celebrate by diving into the poodle of water again.

  Further up the road I came across a orange tabby cat entertaining a group of Chinese visitors to Northern Ireland on yet another photo shoot he was clearly enjoying. And wondered if further up I was going to meet a monkey on this Chinese New Years Eve.

  I arrived at my first destination for the day. A showing of  a documentary on the life of Bruno Gröning who was a German spiritual healer. And as I watched. It reminded me of a guy I knew from County Sligo that I had first met in London some years ago. And after a spell of work in Germany had returned to his native Ireland from London, And is now visited by people from all over, as he now works as a spiritual healer himself.

  After which I met a group of Australian/English visitors for a walking tour from Queens University to the Belfast City hall. And as a Garden Designer entering the Botanic Gardens which had been laid out in the 1830s. That the tour really got started. The English contingent where fascinated to hear Bruce Forsyths' Grandfather had designed and built, the Tropical Ravine.(Which is now undergoing a £2 million  redevelopment) And everyone was amazed how green the park looked even in the depth of Winter. The snowdrops winter cyclamen, and some early spring bulbs where all on show. As I shared revelations of my childhood on the great lawn, on what was a sunny afternoon.

  We continued on into the city center, touching on Belfast troubled recent past. And through the Linen  Quarter, finishing at the city hall. Just in time for me to take in the second half of the rugby match in McHughs.

 

UlsterFRYday

  Well it's been awhile since I posted on The Wild and Lovely Road. And what a journey Northern Ireland and I are now having. With the launch of  the Belfast City bike-share scheme at the end of May 2015. And the humongous success of the Tall Ships big start around the World Race 2015, right here in Belfast in July. It's now almost a year on from taking Walking Tours of Belfast and N. Ireland a little more seriously. #TheMartiWay

 And with the people of N. Ireland described as the happiest in the U.K.  In that poll the people of Co. Fermanagh came tops. And the Belfast City now said to be the trendiest city in Europe ( I would have said the Sweetest or Hippest, but I don't write these surveys). I think it is very fitting that We the people of N. Ireland now get to meet and greet the every increasing amount of visitors to our shores in this The Year of Food and Drink for N. Ireland.
  An area of this wee Island once famous for all the wrong reasons, it's none the less good to see we are becoming known for all the right ones. And hey it's all good. Yesterday we had a sneak preview of the Waterfront Hall as it nears it's completed extension and opening in May 2016. And I hear it has bookings up until 2018 already.
   In Belfast City center alone I see three brand new hotels being built, and hear we have the largest number of hotels being built anywhere in Europe for a city of it's size. The flagship for me the Grand Central Hotel being built by Hastings Hotels. A former governmental tower block and the tallest building in Belfast city center. The tallest Building in Ireland being the Obel Tower on the banks of the river Lagan where it meets Belfast lough. In a city where tall building are not the norm. But it's Architecture is becoming famous. I'll have to add some of it to my Instagram.
  And as for today well  #UlsterFRYday and it's all over Social Media Platforms. Our now famous Ulster fry breakfast was first up on the Calendar of Events. January month of breakfast and all that is good about Food in Northern Ireland. While top food writers, Michelin Star Restaurant owners from all over. Dinned in the Europa Hotel here in Belfast. I tucked into my Ulster Fry in my favorite space the Windmill Restaurant, Church lane, just a stones throw from the birth place of Béal Feirste
Belfast.
 After which I walked around to my favorite St. George's Market to share some of my love for it on a Friday. Voted Bested indoor market in 2014 mainly for it's Saturday and Sunday Markets. Friday I still Love. Well it does have the Largest Fish Market in Ireland. and the fruit, veg, and all other stalls are good too. No weekend break to the city would be complete without a visit.
  By now all the big events had past on this #UlsterFryday but there was still one place I wanted to visit. a little place by the Europa Hotel I had heard about. Yahi a new little restaurant in the Great Northern Mall which is the entrance to the main Bus/Train station here in Belfast.
  Yahi I now know to be a indigenous tribe in Southern California is where the Café I am now in gets it's name from. Only in this case they hunt to best local ingredients to serve to their customers. With juice from Mango and Breads form Co. Antrim. I of course fell instantly in Love with the place. And hope to share some of that with them in February the month of Love as the year of food continues right here in N. Ireland. As I continue along the Wild and Lovely Road. and by the next time I get a chance to share some more revelations about Northern Ireland, I'll have transitioned into Belfastology Walking Tours. As I try to find help from other to bring meaning to the word #Belfastology


 

Belfastology

  After nearly 40 years of troubles and strife. Northern Ireland is finally beginning to set Sail. If you put together the facts that the Irish are said to be the most welcoming, and the people of N. Ireland the friendliest in the U.K. You can begin to see the appeal our great wee corner of this infamous little Island has for the growing number of visitors now landing on our shores.
 Year after year more and more festivals spring up all over the 6 counties, with Belfast it's flagship winning a endless amount of awards for it's service and quality for both locals and visitors to her inner space. 
  Since the launch of the Titanic Belfast visitor centre in memory of the ill fated ship Titanic that set sail from her birth place a hundred years prior to her opening in 2012. Belfast has become the centre of attention not only for Tourism. Businesses are now queuing up to open their  doors here, and with  festivals running throughout the year it's not hard to see why.  
  With the likes of the Festival of Fools (run by the Belfast circus school)  showcasing some of the Belfast ever emerging talent together with the best street circus acts from all over the world. And the Oh Yeah Centre showcasing the best of N.Ir's music scene with the biggest stars now commonly on the concert scene, and the likes of the 2011 MTV music awards held here in the Odyssey Arena ( Home of the Belfast Giants Ice Hockey team). Not  forgetting the Belfast/Nashville Song Writers Convention. 
  And off the back of the Giro d'Italia Big Start in 2014.  The Tall ships to start their round the world race here in July of 2015. Who knows maybe we'll have the Tour de France and the Americas cup and many more global events wanting to visit us soon. 
  For sure N.Ireland and it's people can begin to be proud of the strides its people now take to build a more harmonies place to live in. With many of it's inhabitants actively involved in readdressing the harm done to the environment. Year on year our schools, collages and universities gain the best results by students in the U.K and Internationally. Globally adding to top research in many fields. Exciting times lie ahead with food festivals, the upcoming Tall ships a new cycle system. Similar to the Boris cycle superhighway in London.   Which will irradiate from Belfast all over N.I to the great beyond and vice versa. With the whole city just about to be redeveloped exciting times indeed are set to visit us. 
  And with reviews starting to roll in about the quality of the restaurants now said to be equal with the likes of Sydney Tokyo and London  .  And an ever increasing amount of interest in film locations following the success of The game of Thrones. Surely no visit to Ireland would exclude Belfast or the rest N.Ireland with many places still to be discovered. And now said to be one of the safest places on the planet.