Belfast - Northern Ireland

I have found myself hesitant to write a post regarding my recent trip to Belfast Ireland. It was, as anticipated, a beautiful place with a gorgeous landscape. I went to Belfast as much to attend the Irish Dancing World Championships and that was incredible. The standard of dance was breathtaking, the costumes AMAZING and more than enough Bling for any girl who loves pink and sparkles. I even found a MIMCO in Belfast and it had 70% off storewide. Was amazing to see one of my favourite Aussie brands again! I also bought myself some beautiful Irish Jewellery.

On my birthday I went to the most amazing and gorgeous little pub just down a side street in the city centre called Kelly's Cellars which I recommend to anyone who visits Belfast.

Kelly's Cellars is the oldest licensed premises in Belfast. The original two-storey pub was built in 1720 by Belfast merchant Hugh Kelly who kept it as a bonded warehouse in which rum, gin and whiskey were his mainstays. It was a meeting place for Henry Joy McCracken and the United Irishmen when they were planning the 1798 Rising. The story goes that McCracken hid behind the bar when British soldiers came for him. It is stunning and whilst there I enjoyed a glass of red, a pint of gunniess (well when in Ireland....) and traditional piping hot Irish Stew infront of a roaring fire on a cold Irish day. It was quintessentially Irish in my eyes and enjoyed myself thoroughly.

I do not know whether I expected too much from the city, whether songs like Carrickfergus had led me astray as well as tales of fairies and leprechauns alike; however; I felt myself somewhat let down by Belfast. Rather than jigging my way over the emerald hills I was caught up in several political and religious discussions, informed regularly which side of the city I was on and found the bus tour slightly depressing and clinging to a painful history that made me squirm with discomfort. I am very aware that I approached Belfast with a naive and fairyesque view that what had happened was in the past and of no consequence. I was quite literally the ignorant tourist, the silly girl and as a result of that I didn't quite know how to feel. I loved Belfast, but it was not what I expected.

I am not attempting to write a controversial blog, nor do I wish to crush anyones view of the city.

Belfast IS a beautiful city.

I did not expect to feel slightly patriotic when I went on a sightseeing bus tour, when quite unexpectedly the tour guide mentioned Australia in quite a unique situation. I feel for Belfast and it's painful history. I do not feel adequate enough, nor educated at all on the topic to comment successfully on it's history and stories. Perhaps I will return one day with a more formed view of the world rather than one that involves frolicking in the forest with fairies.