In January 2020 I finally spent some time in Carrickfergus, County Antrim.
Ulster (six counties of it) is often in the headlines for all the wrong reasons
(read sectarianism)
and Carrickfergus was no different from anywhere else in Ulster and has had its fair share of difficulty in the past.
As of 2020 I would hope that although differences are often passed from generation to generation in an unending loop that brings little by way of reconciliation and understanding, things have or are continuing to change for the better for all of Ulsters inhabitants irrespective of creed or politics.
Residing in Laois I cannot begin to understand the complexities or the realities on the ground. All that I know is that Ulster is part of the Island of Ireland.
It goes some way in showing the level of ignorance throughout Ireland that often we fail to remember that Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan in the Republic of Ireland are also part of the province of Ulster.
Mention Ulster in the Republic of Ireland and few people will think of Cavan or Monaghan or Donegal.
A fellow once said to me on his first visit to Antrim; "It's like a different Country." I had to politely explain that politically it was.
His incredulous face was triggered by the various displays of factional flags, painted kerbstones and murals.
Politics aside the peoples of Ulster, Munster, Connaught and Leinster are exactly the same, leaving aside for a moment those from county Cavan who are terribly "tight fisted" and the "Cute Hoors" from Kerry.
"Culchies" are both stupid and inbred while the "Jackeens" are either selling Crack on the street or trying to steal your handbag or wallet.
As you can see, there's no need to travel far at all in order to engage in stereotyping and misrepresentation.
Personally whatever a persons politics or religion, it's my own belief that Catholic, Protestant, Dissenter, Buddist, Mormon, Jew, Seventh day Adventist, Zoroastrian, Muslim or Hindu.......If you live on the Island of Ireland you should get out and about and enjoy what it has to offer.
It is presently possible to be both British and Irish simultaneously. Should that position ever to be changed it is only a decision for those people who live in six of Ulsters counties to make, who are politically governed by Britain at the present moment in time.
That's probably a long winded way of saying keep politics to one side and enjoy what we have.
I had occasionally passed through Carrickfergus admiring its looming seaside Anglo Norman Castle and always wanted to stop for a few hours but never seemed to find the time.
It was a chilly Spring day this year, 2020, when I finally spent some time there. Carrickfergus was a walled town and a small portion of the town walls still remain in place, behind which is a lovely manicured Crown Green Bowls lawn.
Construction on the Castle in Carrickfergus was begun around 1179/80 by John de Courcey and it picturesquely overlooks the sea beside the small harbour.
There are a lot of WW2 memorials in the town and it is a very historically rich location. Robert and Edward the Bruce are associated with the area after Edward besieged the castle at Carrickfergus in the early 1300's. Edward was later defeated in battle, decapitated and dismembered, and is buried at Faughart in county Louth.
These are a just few brief lines which couldn't even begin to describe Carrickfergus in detail. The photographs are not great as it was blowing a cold wind and very overcast in January. Visit if you get a chance however it's probably best to go in summer and enjoy the seaside and an Ice cream while you're at it.....