Sir, - Having returned home after spending a few days in Belfast I just had to commit my very happy thoughts to paper to tell all and sundry what a lovely welcoming people they are up there. Their extremely good manners and welcoming smiles everywhere impressed us greatly and compared, I regret to say, very favourably with the absence of same in Dublin.
We had not been in Belfast for about 30 years, mainly because of the "Troubles", though we had been on several holidays with our children in other parts of the North e.g., Bangor, Portrush, Warrenpoint and Newcastle.
These holidays we enjoyed immensely and noticed they were far better value than in the South.
Now, our children are grown up and our older son has an interesting job working with Comhlamh for Peace and Reconciliation between North and South. He invited myself and my husband to spend a few days with him up there, because he has also been impressed by all of the people he has come in contact with.
Before we left Dublin we rang for a taxi to get us to the station as we were travelling by the new Enterprise train. The taxi failed to arrive and spoiled our day by delaying our departure by two hours. We know this happens regularly here in Dublin. In Belfast we travelled a lot by taxi because we were not familiar with the buses and they all arrived within minutes and were only slightly dearer than the buses. My opinion of taxi drivers in Dublin has always been bad because they are also aggressive when driving.
We met a lot of our son's young friends who were also most kind and happy to be with us. We did a good deal of our Christmas shopping and although it would have cost less in Dublin the difference in manners and pleasantness was worth it!
There were no soldiers or RUC in evidence and we both felt so happy that, just now at least, there is peace in Ireland. We will pray that it will continue forever more. Amen. When summer comes we hope to spend a proper holiday enjoying the company of all these lovely northern people. - Yours, etc.,
Dartry Road, Dublin 6