 A quarter of a century of bad publicity had rendered much of Northern Ireland a tourism no-go area until recent years. Having said that, despite the apprehension engendered by bad news and "The Troubles" , tourists to Northern Ireland had always faced more danger from erratic Irish drivers - and probably still do - than from the political violence and disorder. Today a new Power Sharing Government has been formed giving hope to a lasting peace for the two communities. In the North, the accents are distinctly different (but just like in the South, as in England, Scotland and Wales, they vary Coounty by County and even Parish by Parish), the currency is pounds sterling and distances are measured in miles, (in the South the roadsigns are in Kilometres) but otherwise the changes across the border are insignificant. The rewards of a foray to the North are certainly worthwhile - the Antrim Coast road follows a stunning stretch of coastline, there are some fascinating early Christian remains around Lough Eme, and Derry has one of the best preserved old city walls in Europe. The signs of the Troubles are still there. The street murals of Belfast and Derry, fortified police stations, armoured cars and circling helicopters are still as much a part of Northern Ireland as green fields and noisy pubs. If you want to see this side of Northern Ireland you had better hurry - they are almost gone!
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