The North.

We just spent the last few days in the North of Ireland. It was an amazing trip!



Tuesday: We left Dublin and arrived in Belfast, settled into our B&B, and lunch and headed out to Stormont, the NI Parliament building. We got to hear from members of different political parties, and ask them whatever questions we like. It was interesting hearing from so many rather than the 2 that the states have. That took up most of our day, and we spent the evening watching Burn After Reading, which really had no point, but I enjoyed it anyway.

Wednesday: We woke up and had our cooked to order breakfast! Then walked up to Falls Road (the Catholic side) which has been the site of much of the troubles. A former IRA member met with us and took us on a tour. We saw many of the murals and memorials that are in the area for Republicans and Catholics who have died as a result of the Troubles. It was a three hour, 2 mile tour. There are plaques all over that road of site where people died. It wasn't much different later in the day when we went to the Protestant side of Shankhill road. I found the protestant side far more uncomfortable. Most of their murals were of paramilitaries in their masks and black outfits. It was an interesting tour, and of course our tour guides were all part of the conflict and had all been in jail for IRA membership, attempted murder or possession of a bomb.. you know, your average everyday guys..

Thursday: We went to an organization that is trying to help Northern Ireland heal. They explore ways in which the conflict can be remembered and those who have died will be remembered without instigating violence. Its a pretty hard thing to do. Many people won't even sit down and talk to someone from the other side. And it's not like you can hide it, usually you can tell from someones name which side they're on. The rest of the IES kids met up with us and we took a black cab tour of Belfast. The Black Cabs are an alternative public transportation service. During the height of the conflict they burnt out the buses as road blocks so the IRA bought cabs from England (oh the ironies) to provide transportation to the Catholic population. We then headed up to the way north. It was cold and beautiful! I had dinner with some kids that I didn't know too well and it was great getting to know some different people.

Friday: We went to Bushmill's which is the oldest distillery in Ireland. I had a hot toddy, it tasted like Christmas. Other than that, i'm going to say Whiskey is a little intense. We then went to the Giants Causeway which is AMAZING! Its this formation of all these 6 sided rocks. It's in northern Ireland and Scotland. There are 40,000 rocks. It's amazing. We then had dinner at this yummy restaurant called Coast. So good.

Saturday: We walked across a rope bridge to an island. Pretty cool. Gale force winds. Good times. We then went home. Of course a whole bunch more happened during this trip.. but you have the edited version, and it's still long.. Pictures are up on Photobucket. Check 'em out.