Waterford is the oldest city in Ireland – a quaint harbor town lined with pastel buildings and known for Waterford Crystal. Invaded by the Vikings in 914 A.D. – a quick overnight for us on our way to Wales. We stayed the night in the birth place of Thomas Francis Meagher born in 1823 who led an Irish Brigade to help Lincoln in the Civil War and later became the first governor of Montana.
ferry to Belfast.
Today trendy, touristy and hip but filled with a tumultuous past. Often referred to as “the troubles” the Catholics and Protestants fought hard from 1969 to 1998 (with sporadic turmoil until 2015).
In 1998 there were only 4 hotels – the Europa was and is the most bombed building in Europe – today a mighty 45 hotels stand proud and Belfast is touted as the 2nd safest city in the world next to Tokyo.
Still today 48 peace walls separate Catholic and Protestant neighborhoods – 25′ high up – some up to 3 miles long stretching a total of 21 miles.
Although peace is in the air the embers still are smoldering…
