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World's Most Bombed Hotel
The Europa in Belfast's Great Victoria Street has the unenviable title of "world's most bombed hotel." Yet today the Europa, the belle of Belfast City and an enduring symbol of Northern Ireland's resilience regarding terrorism, stands tall and proud, a stronger and more robust business because of -- and not in spite of -- Northern Ireland's "troubles,"
On the surface, the Europa is a respectable but unremarkable 240-bed hotel. But during the conflict's darkest days in the 1970s and 1980s, it emerged as a powerful icon, representing war, destruction, survival, and fortitude -- a monument to all that was right and wrong in Northern Ireland. Even in the new peace-processed Belfast, it remains a landmark, a place where tourists and natives alike get their bearings.
To the Irish Republican Army, it was, quite simply, a target. Attacking the high-profile Europa would attract worldwide attention by striking a blow at British capitalism. The first bomb exploded within a month of the hotel's opening; it destroyed the restaurant and kitchens. Another 20 explosions would follow in the next four years. Security walls were erected around and over the entrance. Guests were frisked; their luggage was searched. The tourist trade evaporated, leaving no one but the hard-core, battle-hardened business customers.
And so came the journalists. Because it remained Belfast's only world-class hotel, the Europa became home to all the hacks covering the conflict. The IRA's easy target became the perfect target. With every attack, the press got its story and the terrorists got publicity. Visiting journalists found that they could sound authoritative and well-informed without leaving their bar stool in the Europa.
Mercifully, remarkably, no one was ever killed by a bomb at the Europa.
The attacks became less frequent during the 1980s. Even Sinn Féin, the IRA's political wing, began using the Europa for meetings and conferences. In the absence of political institutions in Northern Ireland, the Europa often provided the forum for debate and negotiation.
And like the rest of the booze establishments here in Belfast, it serves a sublime pint of Guinness.
World's Most Bombed Hotel
The Europa in Belfast's Great Victoria Street has the unenviable title of "world's most bombed hotel." Yet today the Europa, the belle of Belfast City and an enduring symbol of Northern Ireland's resilience regarding terrorism, stands tall and proud, a stronger and more robust business because of -- and not in spite of -- Northern Ireland's "troubles,"
On the surface, the Europa is a respectable but unremarkable 240-bed hotel. But during the conflict's darkest days in the 1970s and 1980s, it emerged as a powerful icon, representing war, destruction, survival, and fortitude -- a monument to all that was right and wrong in Northern Ireland. Even in the new peace-processed Belfast, it remains a landmark, a place where tourists and natives alike get their bearings.
To the Irish Republican Army, it was, quite simply, a target. Attacking the high-profile Europa would attract worldwide attention by striking a blow at British capitalism. The first bomb exploded within a month of the hotel's opening; it destroyed the restaurant and kitchens. Another 20 explosions would follow in the next four years. Security walls were erected around and over the entrance. Guests were frisked; their luggage was searched. The tourist trade evaporated, leaving no one but the hard-core, battle-hardened business customers.
And so came the journalists. Because it remained Belfast's only world-class hotel, the Europa became home to all the hacks covering the conflict. The IRA's easy target became the perfect target. With every attack, the press got its story and the terrorists got publicity. Visiting journalists found that they could sound authoritative and well-informed without leaving their bar stool in the Europa.
Mercifully, remarkably, no one was ever killed by a bomb at the Europa.
The attacks became less frequent during the 1980s. Even Sinn Féin, the IRA's political wing, began using the Europa for meetings and conferences. In the absence of political institutions in Northern Ireland, the Europa often provided the forum for debate and negotiation.
And like the rest of the booze establishments here in Belfast, it serves a sublime pint of Guinness.