20110100_jbl_Ireland_370

Murals represent the political views, memorials for those lost in the battle between Catholics and Protestants in the age old battle for Northern Ireland on both the Catholic and Protestant sides of West Belfast and other politically related scenes from Belfast.

Belfast, Northern Ireland. January 2011.

Catholic murals along Falls Road on the Catholic side of West Belfast. A wall divides Catholic and Protestant West Belfast much like the Berlin wall once divided East and West Berlin. There are gates in between which are opened and closed depending on the political climate. Something as simple as a soccer game between a predominantly Catholic city and a predominant Protestant city is reason enough to close the gates. A black taxi whizzes by on Falls Road. The black Taxis were historically a response by Belfast Republicans (Catholics) to deteriorating public transport in their areas. They were also the vehicle of choice for republican terrorist bombs. Today they have spawned a veritable industry of tourist rides of varying quality.