Céad Fáilte- One Hundred Welcomes from Galway!

Sorry I'm a weekend behind with updating! I said I wanted to travel while I was here but going a different place three weekends is a row is draining...

Last weekend we took a FIVE HOUR BUS TRIP down to Galway. It was supposed to be the "most Irish of Ireland". On our first day there we went to visit the Aran Islands, a group of three islands off the coast of Galway in Galway Bay. Here, Irish is the spoken language still and they're known for producing the Aran wool sweaters that are associated with Ireland in general. The largest island, Inishmore was the one we took a ferry to, and it was absolutely gorgeous. Traditional Irish life is showcased on the island for those willing to take the harrowing journey across the bay. The ferry rocked back and forth so much that people were getting sick on the ride there and over! It was enough to scare me for a few seconds! The island was only nine miles from end to end, but the sites were so spread out that people normally rent bicycles to get to each one, and it took me a hot second to remember how to ride a bike; it was definitely an experience. After asking the locals where the best place for lunch was, we went to a pub to get fish and chips and heard regular everyday people speaking Gaelic to each other!

  






The second day in Galway we took another day trip, this time to the Cliffs of Mohr. Unfortunately the weather didn't stay so nice for us this day, and it rained AND HAILED on us as we were trying to take in the sites. The cliffs were definitely breathtaking. I don't know if I am just partial to the northern coast because I saw if first and live in the north, but I still think that Castlerock was prettier, even if it was not so grand a scale. Even though the weather was pretty awful, the cliffs took on a haunting look, and they were still dramatic and definitely worth going to see.

While it was a really cool, fun little city, one could definitely tell that it was the major tourist attraction in Ireland. The city was filled with souvenir shops with the regular cheesy stuff; mugs and tshirts and jewelry. It was a little disappointing in that respect, but it didn't take away too much from its charm. There were street performers playing traditional Irish music and we went to visit the jeweler who first started making the Irish claddagh ring. Thomas Dillons also had a small museum in the back explaining all about the ring and its tradition. The heart for love, the hands for friendship, and the crown for loyalty.

I only just returned home from London this weekend and will begin to put up pictures soon! Ill post all about London soon as well!

Divided Societies Conference

Last weekend I was able to attend a conference in Maynooth, a little outside Dublin that was based on divided societies and how to handle conflict. It was one of the best experiences that I have had this semester. It was run by the former BCA directer of the Derry program (he's now back at Juniata running their peace program), Jim Skelly. While he is a very impressive figure in the peace community, the conference also consisted of many other lecturers that are actively doing work in the conflict resolution field. It was amazing to be surrounded by people doing what I want to do with my life.

Around thirty students attended the conference and came from programs all over Europe; Germany, Spain, Belgium, France and obviously Ireland and Northern Ireland. I met so many cool people and made really cool new friends throughout the three days I spent with them.

The first half of the conference was held at Maynooth campus and then we were all bused to Derry for the second half. The lectures were about the conflict and the peace process in Israel/Palestine, conflict management in urban spaces, specifically Belfast, and the Northern Ireland peace process happening right now in places like Derry and Belfast. We had the opportunity to talk one on one with the experts and then discuss together among the students about the themes. When we got back to Derry, us people who lived here were able to show everyone else around this awesome city.

One of the coolest things about the conference was the play we were able to experience in Derry called the Theatre of Witness. The actors were real people telling their stories about how they were involved in and affected by "The Troubles" here in Northern Ireland. It was incredibly powerful and moving.

The experience was so amazing; I got to meet so many fun people and learned so much. The best part is that it really underlined the idea in my mind that this is what I want to do with my life. One of the main themes of the conference is that there are so many easy ways that people can get involved and make a difference; and thats what I want to do. I learned so much, met so many interesting people, and surrounded myself with people doing exactly what I want to be doing. Definitely a once in a lifetime experience.