Visit Belfast.

To fully understand a city, it’s important to look at its history. And Belfast’s is undoubtedly one of the most tumultuous on the island of Ireland (along with neighboring Derry).

It has to be said that Belfast’s image has a thick skin. A battered city, surrounded by barbed wire, torn apart by violent communal wars between Catholics and Protestants, Irish and pro-British, republicans and loyalists…

This is the dark side of Belfast, the one that still lingers in our minds today. An apocalyptic vision, now erroneous, for the city has managed to pacify its demons, rebuild and reinvent itself.

Of course, not everything has been resolved. Certain tensions are still alive, but one thing is certain: Belfast today is a city made to be visited, explored and enjoyed.

To better understand this, here’s a quick rundown on its history.

Belfast, a city sacrificed for the independence of the Republic of Ireland

The year is the 16th century. At that time, the British Empire decided to invade the island of Ireland and impose its power… despite the anger of the Irish, who were determined to reject the English presence on their territory.

Hundreds of English-Irish conflicts ensued, most of them bloodily repressed by the better-armed, and often vastly outnumbered, British.

The conflict lasted until 1919, when a War for Irish Independence broke out. In 1921, the British and Irish finally came to an agreement: the British ceded the island of Ireland to the Irish… with the exception of the 6-county province of Ulster in the north.

Belfast was one of the cities sacrificed: it remained English, and was plunged into an atmosphere of chaos. It was occupied by “enemy” communities: Irish Republican Catholics and British Loyalist Protestants.

In the 1960s, Belfast became the scene of violent clashes between Catholics and Protestants, with murderous attacks sponsored by the IRA (Catholic side) and the Protestant militia (UVF). The conflict (nicknamed the “Troubles”) lasted over 30 years.

Terror reigns: bombs explode everywhere, militants destroy strategic areas, assassinations are ordered on all sides… innocent people die…

The British police lock up without trial many Irish suspected of resistance…

More than 3,000 people died during this period… creating fear and devastation in the city.

Towards a lasting peace process

In 1998, the Good Friday Agreement became the first step in the peace process. It guaranteed the possibility of creating an Assembly representing Catholics and Protestants, of organizing the functioning of internal political institutions in the North, and of communicating and cooperating with the Republic of Ireland.

For Belfast, these advances are real steps towards peace, and the situation is tending to pacify (the IRA and other paramilitary militias are suspending violence and now proceeding democratically).

The streets of Belfast are now calmer and safer, with the presence of video surveillance cameras and police officers.

Today, the city is a sight to behold. Although the Brexit has revived some of the ghosts of the past, conflict seems to be contained, with its share of anecdotal incidents and inter-neighborhood provocations.

Just avoid certain areas if you want to enjoy the city to the full!

Belfast today

Une ville pacifiée, en perpétuel mouvement !

Belfast has become a warm, dynamic and friendly city, where life is good!

You’ll discover a cheerful city, where art, culture, history and a taste for good things live together with passion. Not to mention its close links with the history of the Titanic: Belfast is the city that built the liner! Don’t miss the recently opened Titanic Belfast Experience, a museum entirely dedicated to the ship that sank in 1912.

You can explore the city further, discovering its murals, city center, magnificent town hall and botanical gardens, before heading off to Cave Hill for a view of Belfast and a visit to Belfast Castle.

For lovers of good food, don’t hesitate to push open the doors of the city’s restaurants. You’ll discover a traditional cuisine in full revival, brought to life by world-renowned chefs!