While Londonderry or Derry as some prefer to call it, was
very much in the news in the 70’s and 80’s, I must confess I never really
understood whether the conflicts were based on nationalism or religion. Having recently spent a day and evening there, I am still not sure. But there is no doubt that the
past conflicts have left indelible marks on this somewhat rugged city which has
much to offer.
Saturday night in Londonderry was a busy night with many
people hanging around pubs in the city centre.
I was particularly impressed by how the ladies got dressed up to go out,
often in groups to restaurants, while the men were generally poorly dressed and hanging around the
bars. While most of these people were born in and around the city, an increasingly large number of them are from Poland and nearby countries, like
these two girls who Sally and I met when they asked to have their photo taken before heading off to a
party. (I took their photo on condition they would pose with Sally, which they were most happy to do.)
Driving around early Sunday morning, I was startled to find
the carcass of a burned out car still in the road. In the back seat were two bicycles, but for
some reason, while the car was completely burned, the tires on one of the
bicycle were still intact. While I stopped to take photos, most others walked
or drove by the car, as if it this was a common sight in Londonderry on a Sunday morning.
In a nearby neighbourhood I also discovered wall murals painted on the end wall of housing estate blocks
celebrating the past conflicts, although I was soon to realize that Belfast is the
place to really see partisan murals .
While Londonderry or Derry as some prefer to call it, was
very much in the news in the 70’s and 80’s, I must confess I never really
understood whether the conflicts were based on nationalism or religion. Having recently spent a day and evening there, I am still not sure. But there is no doubt that the
past conflicts have left indelible marks on this somewhat rugged city which has
much to offer.
Londonderry is a walled city and the walls are in remarkably
good condition. It is built along both sides of the river Foyle and a major international yachting event
was taking place just as we arrived. One
of the newest features of the city is a pedestrian bridge across the river,
known as the Peace Bridge, uniting the communities on both sides of the river. Londonderry is also home to Austins, the worlds oldest independent department store.I was told this, but still had to look it up since I found it hard to believe!
Saturday night in Londonderry was a busy night with many
people hanging around pubs in the city centre.
I was particularly impressed by how the ladies got dressed up to go out,
often in groups to restaurants, while the men were generally poorly dressed and hanging around the
bars. While most of these people were born in and around the city, an increasingly large number of them are from Poland and nearby countries, like
these two girls who Sally and I met when they asked to have their photo taken before heading off to a
party. (I took their photo on condition they would pose with Sally, which they were most happy to do.)
Driving around early Sunday morning, I was startled to find
the carcass of a burned out car still in the road. In the back seat were two bicycles, but for
some reason, while the car was completely burned, the tires on one of the
bicycle were still intact. While I stopped to take photos, most others walked
or drove by the car, as if it this was a common sight in Londonderry on a Sunday morning.
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