Today was an action-packed travel day. We left Belfast after two days there, and what a city! I really enjoyed it. We completed a trek across Northern Ireland ending in the Republic, in a town called Milford, not to be confused with the Milford Proving Grounds in Michigan for General Motors. But some of our stops included the Giant’s Causeway, Grianan of Aileach, and the Walled City of Derry, with many more stops. However, each location offered a great experience, allowing us to learn firsthand about Ireland’s rich culture. But looking back on today, this prompt asks me what makes a place meaningful, and how each of their stories is shared.
The main attraction we went to is the Giant’s Causeway, which is a large number of hexagonal columns rising from the coast of the North Atlantic. It was something I had only seen in photos and movies, but it was even cooler to see and interact with it in person. The one thing I wish we had was more time to explore on our own, like we did here. Take photos and spend a few hours soaking in the natural beauty of this sacred isle.
The second place we went to was the Grianan of Aileach, which is an old stone circular “castle” on top of a hill that gives panoramic views of the Republic. We only had about 15 minutes there, and some of us, including me, got to practice for our upcoming 5 K run. However, it was a very cool structure that made me think about what they used it for and why they built it.
The last place we stopped was in Derry to see and walk across the walls. We met with a tour guide who walked us through the main sights of Derry. We learned a brief history lesson about it, but some of the aspects I learned were that it appears less segregated than Belfast. But we saw the loyalist bonfire that they were preparing to light. We finally saw the famous “You Are Now Entering Free Derry” sign/mural. I find photos to be more impactful than a history lecture, as they paint a vivid picture of the modern history of the city and the horrors that some have endured.
But what makes places like these so special to me? It’s a part of the natural beauty, like the Giant’s Causeway, or the history of the walls in Derry. However, I think the Giant’s Causeway narrative didn’t need one, as it relied on its beauty and natural splendor. But a city like Derry, with a tour guide, makes otherwise old walls a learning experience and ties in current events to the history that led to this moment. One way I would reframe the stories from Derry is to have had more time to hear from actual people from the Troubles, who could put a human face to the conflict. We have read and discussed the conflict, but we still haven’t had firsthand accounts from the paramilitary side. Connor and Eamon from the Youth Center gave firsthand accounts on being a part of the violence, but I would like to hear from the people who provided the violence and chaos to so many. That is how I think I would reframe the story of our time in Derry.
But I think that not every place needs a deep story, from the Giant’s Causeway you just need to take a look to the beauty, but a place such as Derry where so much of the conflict from the Troubles came from started in Derry, that is where you need to have stories and voices to bring a city like that to life. Anyway, I think the trip today, albeit long, was great fun, and I can’t wait to explore more of these two great countries.
