Northern Ireland

William of Orange

This trip we took to Northern Ireland was by far my favorite that we have taken thus far. It took everything that we have been discussing in our literature and history classes and made it real. We were able to stop in Derry (Londonderry) and walk Europe’s oldest still intact medieval wall, and see some of the murals that we have discussed in class in relation to the conflicts that have persisted in Northern Ireland for the past few generations now. 

Bobby Sands Mural

LondonDerry

When we arrived in Belfast on our first day, we were able to meet and talk with the port master of the docks in Belfast. It was interesting to see just how much influence and what kinds of contributions that they were giving back to Belfast, a city that has been experiencing an economic slump in recent years. After this we made our way to our hostel and were given a free half day to go and explore Belfast and its people. 

What I noticed first was the divide among the people who identify themselves as part of the British population, and those who identify with the Irish population. There has been a long standing animosity between the people of Belfast who identify themselves as protestant and those who are catholic. The Troubles of the 1970, 80’s, and 90’s is still in the recent memories of the people here, and it was not hard to see. The different murals in Belfast also described the history of the city and brought to light even more the way the people feel. What really got me was the peace wall that still stands to separate the communities of the Protestants and the Catholics. In recent times people have taken to leaving their mark on it. Belfast was unlike anything I have ever experienced in my life. I hope that in the future I am able to come back and see how the city has changed.