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!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
All Photos Post #2
I know what you're thinking. "John you just did a 'quick update' post, why are you being lazy and doing a teaser post?" Well I've had a bit of work to do for Monday so this will have to suffice until I can get that done. In the mean time enjoy the pictures. The first few are extra from around Dublin and Glenageary and the last ones are from Co. Mayo.
Oh and a quick story as well while I'm at it. Frank, my home stay "father", goes swimming every morning at 7am in the sea. Prior to going to Mayo I was invited by him to join in on what the Irish consider an activity that is "good for your health". Clearly the Irish have no conception of what hypothermia, pneumonia and shock are because when I jumped into the water I entered into a World of Cold. I truly believe that I will never, never be that cold for the rest of my LIFE! Moral of the story: If you are the type who whines about how cold things are take a dip in the Irish Sea on a February morning. You will never complain again, not just about the cold, but about anything.
Mayo Teasers
Oh and a quick story as well while I'm at it. Frank, my home stay "father", goes swimming every morning at 7am in the sea. Prior to going to Mayo I was invited by him to join in on what the Irish consider an activity that is "good for your health". Clearly the Irish have no conception of what hypothermia, pneumonia and shock are because when I jumped into the water I entered into a World of Cold. I truly believe that I will never, never be that cold for the rest of my LIFE! Moral of the story: If you are the type who whines about how cold things are take a dip in the Irish Sea on a February morning. You will never complain again, not just about the cold, but about anything.
Mayo Teasers
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Quick Update
Hey everyone! Thanks for being patient, but I'm afraid you will all need to wait until the weekend for me to install a proper update. Currently I am in Rossport, County Mayo in the Northwest coast of the island. We are learning all about the Corrib pipeline and environmental politics which is a topic that I have never explored or even really heard about! Again sorry that I cannot provide a good update, but I am taking loads of great pictures and I'll be sure to get them up ASAP.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Irish Museum of Modern Art and Kilmainham Gaol
So yesterday I joined a few people from my group and we decided to go to the Irish Museum of Modern Art. Walking down the street we just so happened to randomly find the Guinness factory, but alas we did not go through St. Jame's Gate.
Instead, we stuck to our plan and just up the road we arrived at the front entrance to the museum.
It appeared to be, like many of the buildings in Dublin, anything but modern in its structure. I do not know the history of the building, but It appears to be of a military-style construction. I am sorry to inform my readers that I was unable to take any photographs while inside the museum, but I can tell you from personal experience that the outside of the museum was greater to view than the sum of the artworks inside.
Upon exiting the museum we decided to walk through the other side of it towards Kilmainham Gaol (pronounced 'jail') which had a terrible, but intriguing history. It was built in the Victorian Era as a new form of prison with the policies of individual confinement and silence being paramount.
Unfortunately, the Great Famine, caused by a pan-European potato blight, happened shortly after the prison's opening. This resulted in massive overcrowding, often with five to six to a single cell. Indeed the prison was often seen by the populace as a better place to be than the slums. At the time people often committed crimes in order to be put in Kilmainham where they were at least assured three meals a day.
During the 1916 Uprising it was used by the British as a political prison and many important Irish political figures, such as Eamon de Valera, were held there at the time. Many were also executed in one of the courtyards. (if you have seen the film Michael Collins this courtyard is seen near the beginning)
During the Irish Civil War the prison was utilized again as a political prison by the Irish Free State. It was abandoned as a prison in 1924 and was left in a general state of non-upkeep, mostly because people wanted to forget about the terrible memories of it, but through private donations it was refurbished and reopened as a museum in 1966; the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising.
At the end of the tour we were told to exit in the same way as the first jailbreaks from Kilmainham, who paid off the guards, received the keys to the front door and walked out! Hope you enjoyed the virtual tour of one of the more fun days I've had here so far. Wish you all were here!
Instead, we stuck to our plan and just up the road we arrived at the front entrance to the museum.
It appeared to be, like many of the buildings in Dublin, anything but modern in its structure. I do not know the history of the building, but It appears to be of a military-style construction. I am sorry to inform my readers that I was unable to take any photographs while inside the museum, but I can tell you from personal experience that the outside of the museum was greater to view than the sum of the artworks inside.
Upon exiting the museum we decided to walk through the other side of it towards Kilmainham Gaol (pronounced 'jail') which had a terrible, but intriguing history. It was built in the Victorian Era as a new form of prison with the policies of individual confinement and silence being paramount.
Unfortunately, the Great Famine, caused by a pan-European potato blight, happened shortly after the prison's opening. This resulted in massive overcrowding, often with five to six to a single cell. Indeed the prison was often seen by the populace as a better place to be than the slums. At the time people often committed crimes in order to be put in Kilmainham where they were at least assured three meals a day.
During the 1916 Uprising it was used by the British as a political prison and many important Irish political figures, such as Eamon de Valera, were held there at the time. Many were also executed in one of the courtyards. (if you have seen the film Michael Collins this courtyard is seen near the beginning)
During the Irish Civil War the prison was utilized again as a political prison by the Irish Free State. It was abandoned as a prison in 1924 and was left in a general state of non-upkeep, mostly because people wanted to forget about the terrible memories of it, but through private donations it was refurbished and reopened as a museum in 1966; the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising.
At the end of the tour we were told to exit in the same way as the first jailbreaks from Kilmainham, who paid off the guards, received the keys to the front door and walked out! Hope you enjoyed the virtual tour of one of the more fun days I've had here so far. Wish you all were here!
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