After we got done with the Shankill tour we went for a walk through the city center, a much more developed area that is the heart of a recovering Belfast.Friday, March 26, 2010
Northern Ireland Picture Post Part 3
More as promised...
After we got done with the Shankill tour we went for a walk through the city center, a much more developed area that is the heart of a recovering Belfast.
After we got done with the Shankill tour we went for a walk through the city center, a much more developed area that is the heart of a recovering Belfast.
North Ireland Picture Post Part 2
Continuing from before. These are all photos from the Protestant Shankill area of Belfast.
Stay tuned! More still to come!
Stay tuned! More still to come!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
North Ireland Picture Post Part 1
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Giant's Causeway
Just a little video I shot of the Giant's Causeway. Hope you enjoy! Another post will be up tonight!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Derry: the Walled City
So after a wonderful and relaxing time in Corrymeelia I have now spent a week with my host family in Derry. The Lyttles, Eugene and Brydgene, have six children, but they are all out of the house so having an American guest for a week is probably nice! (at least I'm hoping as much) Derry (or the UK name, Londonderry) was a hotspot for violence during the Troubles. Bloody Sunday occurred here and it is very interesting to see how such a divided community functions (and oftentimes fails to function).
Perhaps the biggest thing that shocked me about the North was that government funded schools are still segregated between Protestants and Catholics. There are mixed schools, but I was shocked today to find out that only two percent of children go to them. It is difficult to wrap my mind around the fact that segregation still exists in a developed Western country. The second biggest shocker for me is that there is still violence here. Now don't worry about me, it is nothing like rioting in the streets, I'm told it is only paint bombs thrown at significant Loyalist or Republican buildings by teenagers who don't know better. No threat of me getting injured.
It does look like, from the people that I have spoken with, that people are caring less and less about sectarianism and more about what they call "bread and butter issues". This I feel can only be a step in the right direction and shows that the people of North Ireland can get past their antagonisms and realize that they have to work together if they are to get anywhere at all.
Perhaps the biggest thing that shocked me about the North was that government funded schools are still segregated between Protestants and Catholics. There are mixed schools, but I was shocked today to find out that only two percent of children go to them. It is difficult to wrap my mind around the fact that segregation still exists in a developed Western country. The second biggest shocker for me is that there is still violence here. Now don't worry about me, it is nothing like rioting in the streets, I'm told it is only paint bombs thrown at significant Loyalist or Republican buildings by teenagers who don't know better. No threat of me getting injured.
It does look like, from the people that I have spoken with, that people are caring less and less about sectarianism and more about what they call "bread and butter issues". This I feel can only be a step in the right direction and shows that the people of North Ireland can get past their antagonisms and realize that they have to work together if they are to get anywhere at all.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
On to Corrymeela and then Derry!
So after an interesting time in Belfast I've moved to Corrymella near Ballycastle, County Antrim in Northern Ireland. Today I'm going to the Giant's Causeway, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, where I plan on taking lots of pictures. (my camera has been out of batteries so I haven't had any new ones to post lately) Anyway I thought I'd give a quick update and I'll be sure to update you all when I get back from my day trip.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Hey Everyone!
Two weeks ago I spent five days touring the Erris Peninsula in County Mayo. The scenery was amazing, the people were friendly and we spent our stay at the Kilcommon Lodge; a hostel right next to the bay. The purpose of our trip was to learn about the Corrib Gas conflict which has been ongoing for the last ten years. Basically this is an ongoing conflict between Shell and the people of the area about building a pipeline through an EU Special Protected Area of wildlife as well as having the pipeline too close to residential areas for it to be deemed safe. Shell has refused to redirect the pipeline and the people have refused to allow Shell to construct it. It is a very interesting conflict and is one that I cannot give proper justice to with such a small amount of writing.
This week and the next few weeks I am in Belfast and Derry- two areas that have seen more than their share of conflict and violence during the 30 year period of sectarian fighting known simply as The Troubles. Two days ago we spent the night in South Armagh, a border town between the North and the South. Although it was a part of Northern Ireland I never saw a Union Jack, but instead saw the tricolor of the Republic flown proudly almost everywhere. The actual border area is non-existent, with only a change in the signage from kilometers per hour to miles per hour as a notification of your border crossing.
During my stay in Belfast I am at Stranmillis University College, a college of Queen's University Belfast, were I am staying in a dorm room. Some differences that I have noticed about Northern Ireland compared to the Republic of Ireland are that they have hot water from the tap, that their showers have actual water pressure instead of a trickle and that the heating in the buildings is much, much better.
I hope to take tons of pictures while I am up here and I'll do a better job of keeping everyone updated too. Miss you all back in the States!
P.S. - I have to submit six photos for my Center for Global Education photo contest by tomorrow. If you have any favorites from the photos I've posted please let me know!
This week and the next few weeks I am in Belfast and Derry- two areas that have seen more than their share of conflict and violence during the 30 year period of sectarian fighting known simply as The Troubles. Two days ago we spent the night in South Armagh, a border town between the North and the South. Although it was a part of Northern Ireland I never saw a Union Jack, but instead saw the tricolor of the Republic flown proudly almost everywhere. The actual border area is non-existent, with only a change in the signage from kilometers per hour to miles per hour as a notification of your border crossing.
During my stay in Belfast I am at Stranmillis University College, a college of Queen's University Belfast, were I am staying in a dorm room. Some differences that I have noticed about Northern Ireland compared to the Republic of Ireland are that they have hot water from the tap, that their showers have actual water pressure instead of a trickle and that the heating in the buildings is much, much better.
I hope to take tons of pictures while I am up here and I'll do a better job of keeping everyone updated too. Miss you all back in the States!
P.S. - I have to submit six photos for my Center for Global Education photo contest by tomorrow. If you have any favorites from the photos I've posted please let me know!
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