Life in Northern Ireland

[E.T.]

As some of you know, I work for an Irish company and there are lots of Northern Irishman that work there.

Interesting learning about other countries.

Seems that they have a great unemployment compensation plan and that many workers collect and work ... major scheming also with child welfare. From the small concensus, word is that the British smacked it to them for so long, they are now smacking back.

And on a funny note, lots of areas of Northern and Southern Ireland are only sperated by imaginary borders(not rivers and such) that it's common to have 25' gas hoses at certain stations for the different gas  ;D

Southern Ireland is full of immigrant workers also.

[Apis Bull]

Point of order E.T.  It's Northern Ireland and Ireland.  There is no Southern Ireland unless your speaking of the Southern part of Ireland.

[nukebull]

I spent some time in Belfast and Northern Ireland and the Country of Ireland during the late 80's and early 90's and in Belfast it was pretty scary seeing 18 year old soldiers walking with their fingers on the triggers of loaded weapons. They call it the Dole over there when you receive government assistance. the border is a crude line and a lot of the crossing stations were blown up during the troubles.

[bulls_4]

:-/

[DENVERBULL]

Got in a bad car accident in Belfast.  The small convoy of British soldiers behind us thought we were an IRA decoy of sorts.  We were injured and dazed as we crawled out of our car right into a wall of soldiers pointing machine guns at our heads.   You couldn't get around most of the streets at night because of the police baracades.  

I lived about 20 miles outside Dublin and every time an armored car made a bank withdrwal/deposit, the military escort would keep you in their gun sights as you walked by.  Good times.  I'm sure a lot has changed in 20 yrs.

[E.T.]

It's an amazing history that many don't realize about.