Northern Ireland – more than meets the eye!
Some still believe that Northern Ireland is a dangerous place to visit. But the facts say to the contrary, so don’t rule out a visit to this beautiful land. Since the Good Friday agreement in the 1990s the six counties of Northern Ireland definitely feel normal again. And for the tourist this means a visit poses no threat to life and limb from terrorists.
These days, crossing the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland has become much less difficult. There are no longer soldiers everywhere and border posts. Other changes when you cross the border are only visible in the colour of the post boxes, the currency used, or the measurements displayed, such as speed limits in miles per hour instead of kilometres.
Some things to watch for while travelling through Northern Ireland are signs along the roadside displaying security warnings or indicating controlled areas. These should be heeded at all times. If you are flagged down by the police to stop, please do so and act calmly. There is also no consumption of alcohol allowed in any outside public areas. The currency in Northern Ireland is the same as the rest of the UK – pounds sterling.
Some other things to look for are the obvious signs of segregation among the residents of Northern Ireland. It is not a cause for worry if you see these signs, but it is always best to make yourself aware of what they might mean. If you see blue-white-red colours or flags, these are loyalist areas. Green-white-orange colours represent the Republican areas. Lastly it would be wise not to display colours of either party on your clothing or in souvenir pins, etc. Although the province is now as safe as most other parts of the UK there are still some sensitive issues and you should take the trouble to find out what these are before you visit.
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