This past week was another adventure I will never forget. I had the privilege of learning all about the rich political history of Northern Ireland, specifically Belfast and Derry, while experiencing extraordinary locations.
The packed weekend started off with the Titanic museum in Belfast. This was a very interactive museum with recreated decks and cabins, a scale model of the Titanic, tons of rich history, personal passenger stories, dramatic audiovisual presentations, and insights into maritime safety reforms sparked by the disaster. I learned a lot about the tragedy of the Titanic and the shockwaves it sent through the world from this museum that I did not know before.
Following the museum we then went on a political taxi tour of Belfast where we learned about the fascinating history of the Protestants and the Catholics and the conflicts that ensued throughout Ireland’s history. Known as “The Troubles,” there was a violent, decades long struggle rooted in political and national identity where Protestants largely supported the remaining part of the United Kingdom, while Catholics generally favored a united Ireland. This divide led to intense violence, riots, and paramilitary activity from the late 1960s through the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which significantly reduced tensions but left lasting divisions to this day with a massive “Peace Wall” still in place.
The next day was filled with some very cool experiences that were a ton of fun. First we started the day off with the Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge which was actually a lot scarier walking across than I expected considering I thought it would not be scary at all. Despite feeling slight anxiety on the rocky bridge, I enjoyed seeing the beautiful clear water, the gorgeous greenery, and rocky terrain from both sides of the bridge. Despite now having seen the Atlantic Ocean meet the horizon from multiple different locations, the view never gets old and is always breathtaking.
After the rope bridge we went to Giant’s Causeway where the views of the Atlantic were even more breathtaking. Combining the unique rock formations with the beautiful walking path that lead to amazing views I will never forget this incredible location.
To wrap the day up we got to watch sheepdogs work in action at the Glenshane Country Farm. This experience was truly a sight to see. We watched the 4th generation shepherd Jamese McCloy command his sheepdogs with a fascinating amount of skill as they corralled his herd of sheep. Experiencing Jamese give what sounded like hundreds of commands to three different dogs every second, stringing whistles, along with English and Irish phrases one after another, was absolutely captivating. Each dog listened so eagerly to every command Jamese gave them despite being at such a fast pace, but my favorite part of the experience was inside the barn. Inside the barn we got to see and learn about the many different types of sheep native to Ireland and the many different shades and horns they all possess. Also inside the barn we got to hold the softest and cutest baby sheep I have ever seen (I have never seen baby sheep in person). I was taken aback at how calm the sheep were with being held and it seemed like they enjoyed it, I very much enjoyed it.
To wrap the weekend up we stayed in Derry where we got a walking tour of the city along with visiting the Free Derry museum where I learned so much about the history of what is known as “The Walled in City.” Also known as Londonderry, Derry is one of the oldest cities in Ireland and the only remaining completely walled city in the country. Built in the early 1600s during the Plantation of Ulster, its walls were constructed by English and Scottish settlers to defend against Irish attacks. The city played a key role in several historical events, including the Siege of Derry in 1689 and The Troubles, and today stands as a symbol of resilience and rich cultural heritage.
I am so grateful to learn so much about Irish history and culture and am so happy I am experiencing all of what this beautiful country has to offer. As stated in the beginning of my blog, I will truly never forget these adventures.
