Aspects of Belfast (Pt. 9)

I remember as a child the photograph of the Pope and John F Kennedy in most Roman Catholic homes, including my own, for the Kennedys were like royalty in the 50's and 60's, and even after that the legacy remains around this famous Irish-American family.

This practice has faded out over the years with people wising up and times moving on in the world.

The Big Bang

As you can see from the television screen and the news report, over-night there has been a nuclear strike.

Imagine having a heavy nights drinking and you woke up the news of a nuclear war beginning, what would you do?

Even on the curtains there are little messages painted if you have eyes to see, and the guy peering around the curtains and through the window has had a heavy nights drinking before waking up in the afternoon to the news of a nuclear war, which will come in a time not far off.

The Troubles

For most of my life, and I am 54 now, my little country was at war, where Catholics and Protestants were at each other necks on a weekly basis, and many lost their lives because of the religion division.

Now for the last 20 years or so, Northern Ireland been at peace, even though at times it is a fragile peace, but its better than war, death and destruction.

Though without a sitting government at the moment and for almost 2 years, community and peace workers find it hard to keep fractured communities apart.

Diversity

Northern Ireland is still behind the times when it comes to equality for all their citizens, and without these changes and others then to main political parties will remain at odds with each other, and will continue to refuse to serve the people who voted them into government, and all because many upon this earth are different from the so-called norm.

Live and let live is my motto and further, love thy neighbour as thyself, then hate and division would disappear, but alas pigs might fly first.

Diversity

Since the peace process swung into action over 20 years ago, Belfast and Northern Ireland in general has become an international hub for foreigners to live in and to visit, where they are given a good welcome, with only something going wrong when fanatics do something stupid in the UK or abroad to those of the UK, then fanatics in Northern Ireland would react, which is sad to see, especially in 2018, and our so-called modern times.

Mr. McCann

The actor above is one of the McCann brothers who are all actors, but I forget his name and this mural and piece of street art is a bit tongue and cheek, though strangely enough, since this photograph was taken many years ago, many nations are not allowing the sale of cannabis, with even the UK now allowing medicinal use of the cannabis oil which includes the active high, which pharmacies do not supply, but alas it is only for the few, and cluster headaches are not included in the categories who are allowed to get it.

Fifty Shades of Grey

A clever mix of two actors from two different movies, Jamie Dornan from Fifty Shades of Grey fame, and Gillian Anderson from the X Files fame as Scully.

Shankill Airways

Another Belfast mural and piece of street art with sexy meanings hidden within it, but I will leave you to figure them out.

It all began in a bedroom.

Snow Patrol are just one of thousands of talented bands to come from country of Northern Ireland, and as for other artists and musicians within the entertainment business in Northern Ireland, they are too many to count, but for such a small country, the talent that has come out of it, and continues to come out of it is amazing.

The Jackal

Many a famous sport-man and woman have come from Northern Ireland also from the olympics, boxing, football, golf, snooker, darts etc...

An Ulster Home

My family have always been mixed religions so I can hate none, and being once an entertainer, I use to entertain all, regardless of their earthly religion.

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Best Wishes:

Aunidan