Old Photos (Part ii): St. Patricks Day Version.
Old Photos (Part ii): ST.PATRICK’S LANDSCAPES.
In honour of today being a day when the world celebrates the island I am currently on, the one I grew up on. Here are some photos I’ve taken around Northern Ireland (I won’t get into the politics of Northern Ireland being a separate country from ‘Ireland’, because it’s not a topic I feel strong on, just confused and I like to clarify the reason I’m a British Citizen). Hope you enjoy them, this country can be pretty when it wants to be!
In general, I’m sorry for the lack of updates, I’ve been unwell. I was supposed to be heading down to Dublin for St.Patricks Day tomorrow with my girls, but can’t because I am still not 100% well, what a bummer. I really should take advantage of being on the emerald isle on St.Patricks day, but ironically people here generally seem a lot less invested in St.Patrick’s Day than many folk I know elsewhere in the world.
That being said, Happy Paddy’s Day to you all this oh so green land itself!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Beautiful photographs. I especially like the one of the Titanic mural on the side of the houses – I like how the, erm, crane things disappear into the mist. Amazing.
I’m sure I’ve mentioned in a previous comment that my boyfriend is Irish (he’s from Donegal). A few days ago we were talking about ‘The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland’ and were wondering what the nationality section of passports in Northern Ireland said. He said British, but I assumed it’d be Irish. Forgive our ignorance – we can’t work it out!
Michelle
March 17, 2010 at 5:45 am
Thank you very much. Those cranes actually sit around the spot that the Titanic was built, so I was trying to cram it all in. It’s not far from my house here in Belfast. It’s kind of silly that the Titanic is our big historical ‘achievement’, it sank for crying out loud!
Ok, the passport/nationality thing. If you’re born in Northern Ireland you are automatically a British citizen with nothing to do with the rest of Ireland. However, you are entitled to apply for an Irish passport if you wish. Parents can also choose to list ‘Irish’ as the nationality on a birth certificate. So it’s literally one of the only countries in the world where you can choose your nationality or switch it about whenever you wish. However, unless you choose to be Irish, you will automatically be born British in Northern Ireland.
I am and choose to remain British, but my choice isn’t political, it’s because I’m very much an English girl (despite being born & raised in Belfast). My father is English, born & raised (and my family on his side are all English and still live there) and my mother’s family are from Scotland. I also lived for almost four years of my life in London. So, my alliance with Britain is not in keeping with any political alliance to Unionism, because that’s not my case (I’m an independant).
It’s a tricky situation. When I’m abroad, or even when I was living in London, most people don’t even realise that the island of Ireland is made up of two countries. A lot of my friends in London were shocked when I told them I was every bit as British as they are, by law.
However, it’s obviously quite a touchy subject – given that we’ve had over fifty years of horrendous violence over the situation, leaving over 5,000 dead in a 30 year span. I try not to get too into it, because I have friends with strong opinions on each side of the divide, but I do like to explain that it’s not as simple as ‘I’m Irish’, because the reality is my citizenship, passport, nationality are not Irish.
Complex, eh? Sorry if I’ve thoroughly bored you. I love your blog, so much, and I couldn’t figure out why I hadn’t seen any posts in ages until I realised your blog feed hadn’t properly loaded on my Google reader!
sarahkaneblog
March 17, 2010 at 2:55 pm
I’d love to visit Belfast. The closest I’ve been is Derry airport, which wasn’t very exciting
Thank you for clearing up our passport/nationality argument! It’s great that you can choose. I can’t believe some people don’t realise it’s divided! I must admit, before I met my boyfriend, I thought the whole top section was Northern Ireland. When I found Donegal on the map, I thought he was from Northern Ireland. Reminds me of a time in Tesco someone asked him if he was from N. Ireland and he just said “kinda”. Saves explaining, I suppose haha
& thanks! I still don’t really know what to DO with my blog, but it’s.. something (nicer than Livejournal)
You haven’t bored me at all! It’s been bothering me for ages and when I saw your update I was like, ooh, perfect person to ask!
Michelle
March 17, 2010 at 8:23 pm
What a shame you missed St Patty’s Day in Dublin. I hope you feel better soon! I was there for the holiday a few years ago when it fell on a Saturday. The city was electric! It was by far the best time I had in Dublin in all the times I went to go visit you know who. I hope you make it down there one year for it.
xxx
Kiki
March 18, 2010 at 4:55 am
HI Lady in the Land Down Under! Nice to see you on the blog.
Tis a shame we didn’t get to Dublin, but my health had to come first. We are going down to Dublin in the coming week or two before I head off to Florida. I’m sure it’s great on Paddy’s day, although I’m never a big fan of parades and crowds, which I hear overtakes the city. I do love the exciting atmosphere of days and events like that more than anything. Next year, perhaps, depending on where in the world I find myself (or not).
Hope all is well with you, would love to do a Skype session sometime. Let me know if you’re up for it. xxx
sarahkaneblog
March 18, 2010 at 5:02 am
Stunning photos, as always!
christine
March 18, 2010 at 3:53 pm
Yes darlin happy to be here. Come check out mine sometime
It takes over the city but also it is easy to escape it. We had a wonderful time at a bar along the Lithe. Too much Guiness though as I cracked my first ever digital camera that night! Well the display screen at least. Good thing I was within my waranty!
Skippity Skype sounds great. The time difference is raelly tricky but then your sleeping patterns are crazy (replying at 5AM!) so it might happen.
xxx
Kiki
March 18, 2010 at 10:46 pm
Wow! Fantastic photos – I wish I’d seen these in time for my St Patrick’s Day post!
Lynne, Tea for Joy
March 21, 2010 at 8:22 am
One important thing I enjoy about blogs is the fact that they provoke an idea in my head. And once that happens, I feel as I need to comment wishing it can be useful to some people.
Sharolyn Ipson
April 2, 2010 at 3:30 pm