Colin Caricato: Dublin Week 5- A trek Up North

Leading up to week five has brought even more excitement as I continue to enjoy my Dublin Journey. This weekend we had the chance to travel up north to visit Northern Ireland. One of the biggest improvements from this weekend overnight trip to the last one was our staying arrangements. Instead of being packed into six-person hostel rooms with thin walls, we were upgraded to the Holiday Inn Express, where we stayed in two-person rooms with larger beds and much more space. Although staying in hostels was a fun and memorable experience when we were in Galway, it was definitely nice to have the extra privacy and breathing room that came with staying in a proper hotel like the Holiday Inn. After arriving at our first big city, Belfast, we had time to explore and venture about. I would definitely say that my experience in Belfast didn’t quite compare to my time in Galway or Dublin, but the nightlife was still enjoyable and had an interesting dynamic. Some of my classmates and I were fortunate enough to meet a friendly group of kids from Belfast while walking around the city. One of them shared his experiences of growing up in Northern Ireland and visiting different parts of Ireland. He highlighted the stark difference in how he was treated when visiting Dublin compared to rural areas. The moment people in the Irish countryside heard his Northern Irish accent, he and his friends were seen as outsiders. They would get slightly overcharged at pubs and receive odd looks from strangers — something that would never happen to an American or a European tourist from outside the UK. He also told me if there’s one thing you should know, it’s that when you visit Derry, you should call it “Londonderry” when talking to the locals. As a city of “many names”, I was told that Londonderry was the most proper as it reflects its official name and acknowledges its historical ties to Britain.

One of my favorite memories from this weekend trip was getting to hold a sheep for the very first time. Back in December, when I was looking at the Bucknell in Dublin program online, I remember seeing photos of students surrounded by adorable sheep. Being able to experience that for myself and actually hold one was such a special moment. It felt surreal to finally live out something I had only seen in pictures months ago.

After Belfast, we got the chance to visit Derry(AKA Londonderry). Derry gave off more of a laid-back vibe, with lots of history and countryside, and fewer bars and nightlife. Overall, I found it fascinating to learn about the city’s complex past, especially its role in the Troubles, and to see how its history continues to shape daily life and local identity today.