Stevie McKeag Memorial

This mural was painted in memory of Stevie Top Gun McKeag. He was a prominent member of the Ulster Defence Association.

The Women's Quilt

The mural consists of a patchwork design with numerous squares, each containing words related to positive attributes, relationships, and empowerment. The border text reads "Women’s Voices Matter. Equality for all".

Black Cab Tour

The Irish Free State was established in 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty in 1921. However, six of the island's northern counties remained part of the UK. The Nationalist who were mainly Catholic wanted Northern Ireland to be united with the Republic of Ireland. On the other hand, the Unionist who were mainly Protestant wanted Northern Ireland to remain under British rule. Belfast was at the heart of a bloody sectarian conflict for over thirty years known as "The Troubles". The violence claimed the lives of over 3,500 people and injured nearly 50,000 people. The Good Friday Agreement helped put an end to the conflict.

The IRA was involved in many bombings in England in the late 1980s when I was a student there. The Black Cab Tour will help you to understand the history of the Irish's struggle for independent.

This tour will highlight the grievances of both communities that are captured on the infamous murals dotted around Belfast. 

Breakfast at the hotel

We booked a Black Cab Tour of Belfast at 10.00 am and thereafter drove to Londonderry. We visited the Giant's Causeway along the way.

Full Irish Breakfast

Waiting for the Black Cab

Pomo Cucina Italiana

We had our dinner at the restaurant in the hotel. I did not have my Guinness because I have to drive my boy back to his hotel.

Baby Guinness

Baby Guinness is a cocktail without the Guinness

Burger

Tagliatelle

Gnocchi

Hotel Voco Belfast

Our boy made a special appearance at the hotel which completely surprised us. He flew from London to meet us. 

Bruna Boinne Visitors' Centre

There is a video room showing a documentary on Newgrange and a replica of the passage tomb.

A replica of the tomb

Newgrange

Newgrange was buillt around 3200 BC making them older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids of Giza. This kidney shaped mound covers an area of over one acre and is surrounded by 97 kerbstones, Newgrange is part of the larger Bruna Boinne complex which has be designated as a World Heritage Site.

Aerial phototaken from Knowth.com

A mini mound 

The entrance

Spirals on kerbstone

Inside the tomb

Knowth

Knowth comprises of a large passage tomb surrounded by 17 smaller tombs. They were buillt around 3200 BC making them older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids of Giza. Knowth is part of the larger Bruna Boinne complex which has been designated as a World Heritage Site.

Aerial view taken from Knowth.com

No entry into the mound

Spirals on the kerbstone

Circular pattern

Entrance to the smaller mound

Steps to the top

Top of the mound