In my pre-Confirmation meeting last week, the pastoral associate was using the phrase 'pray to the wall', and so forth. I like her personally, it was a short meeting, so I held my tongue. I think I surprised her enough with my declaration of love for the use of bells.
It was the better part of valour to hold your tongue . . . I don't think I would have been able to and it would have caused a lot of trouble . . .
Jimmy Akin has published a book called "Mass Confusion" which he updated regularly but which is now a tad bit behind the times. He goes through the entire GIRMs and adds the notitiae that were given later. It is extremely useful for showing to those who believe they know all that there is to know!
I think you will be surprised to find that the "bells" were not outlawed or forbidden. The initial GIRM stated that they are not necessary in locations such as abbeys or monasteries where those present are perfectly clear as to what is happening. In cases where there is a role for catechesis, however, they might be most useful. [This wording is spelled out more clearly by Akin; he makes the case that most Catholic Churches fall into this latter category].
My parish uses bells and always will until our Irish Pastor is forced to retire due to age or passes away.