This past weekend, we took a trip to Northern Ireland which was a really interesting experience for me. To start, I embarrassingly had no idea that Northern Ireland was actually a separate country. I always just assumed it was referred to as Northern Ireland the same way you would distinguish Northern America to the South. It was weird getting there and realizing that I didn’t have service because my sim card no longer worked and everything was in pounds instead of euros. We started at the Titanic museum, which I loved. I’ve always been really interested in the Titanic, and it was so cool to be in Belfast where it was actually built and see where it was launched. I also had no idea that the Bucknell founder’s wife, Emma Eliza Bucknell, was a survivor! Then, we went to Belfast and went on a tour and saw all the murals and the peace wall. It was so sad to see all the victims of this violence, with entire neighborhoods being bombed or lit on fire. The next day, we went to the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge which was gorgeous. Those were by far the best views I’ve seen so far in Ireland, the water was sparkling blue and the cliffs were so pretty. I took so many pictures. The second highlight was later in the day when we visited the sheep farm. It was cool seeing how the owner uses the dogs to herd the sheep. I also have an Australian shepherd so I loved seeing them run around. Although my aussie is definitely not that well trained! He took us into the barn where they keep the sheep and I was disappointed at first that I did not see any baby lambs. Then, we rounded the corner and saw about eight of the cutest lambs I had ever seen! They were so tiny and cute, only a couple weeks old. We all got a chance to hold one which was so amazing and therapeutic. One of them almost fell asleep in my arms! The next highlight for me was the following morning when we went on a walking tour around Derry. I found it so interesting learning about the history while actually being able to see it. For example, the divide between the Catholic and Protestant neighborhoods. He pointed to the area where protestants live, and there was a big sign that said “Londonderry, West Bank, Loyalists, still under siege, no surrender.” He also talked about growing up in Derry, and how constant bombings were the norm. I think it’s crazy how even to this day, there is still such a big divide within Derry. People still disagree and argue over whether it is called Derry or Londonderry. He described how depending on your religion, you live in that neighborhood, you only go to those schools for your whole life, and because of this you grow up hating the other side. I didn’t realize the extent to which the effects of the troubles remain in Ireland. After the tour, we went to the Bloody Sunday museum which was very interesting and emotional for me. Bloody Sunday has always been something I wanted to learn more about, as my Dad always talks about it but I never understood the full backstory and history behind it. It was so heartbreaking to learn about the innocent victims, one of them had a baby born just eight days after he died. Another one was running to the safety of his flat and died right under his window. The museum featured many artifacts, such as the bandage used to stem the flow of Michael Kelly after he was shot, or the jacket worn by Michael McDaid when he was killed. It was really sad to see items like these and learn more about the victims, so many of them were so young. The museum is also placed right where Bloody Sunday happened, and the wall is right where a few people were killed. Leaving the museum after learning about it and looking at the wall where innocent protestors lay dying made me silent for a little bit. Leaving Derry, I felt like I had gotten a much better understanding of Irish history after seeing the two places that were most affected by violence and conflict in Northern Ireland.
Beautiful view at the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge
Adding to the peace wall in Belfast!
Baby lambs!!
Derry Girls mural, I love this show and I was inspired to watch it on the drive back to Dublin.
Bloody Sunday mural of the famous image of Bishop Edward Daly carrying Jack Duddy after he was shot.
To be honest I also didn’t know that Northern Ireland wasn’t apart of Ireland until last week. I think you’re pictures in this blog are so good I love them.