Dublin holiday

I'm currently spending the week in Dublin finishing up a couple of summer courses. Ok, that doesn't really have much to do with my work at the CAJ in Belfast other than the fact that the time spent here provides a somewhat useful basis for comparison of the social development of the two cities, particularly for non-Irish folks. First impressions are important and this instance was no exception. Whereas Belfast was subdued and homogenous, Dublin was vibrant and diverse. The impact of this difference was jarring both for my traveling companion and myself. Inevitably after such an experience, I began to examine why this was the case. Although Dublin's properity did not surprise me, Belfast was in the middle of a development boom and experiencing an unprecedented level of growth and stability. After extended conversations with some Irish citizens both from the North and South, the only answer that I could sadly come up with is that old habits die hard.....
Despite much optimism amid a new and more equitable political framework, a certain unease, left over from decades-old bad memories, pervades the mentality of the average Northern Irish citizen. For Belfast residents, a need for security is paramount and closing up shop at 6pm and going home is a small price to pay in order to achieve this. Of course, such practices come at the price of vibrant street life on evenings and weekends, this giving the city a distinctive melancholic tinge at those times. Hopefully, this will not always be the case as the Belfast residents deserve clearly deserve better.