Northern Ireland

This weekend was a trip with the other BU program at DCU to Northern Ireland. Jess and I joined the group at DCU at 7:30 in the morning, meaning a very early wake-up call for us. We headed out for a two and a half hour bus ride and ended up at Stormont. Stormont is Northern Ireland's capital building- where the Lords and the Senate meets. We met a bunch of the politicians from the different parties and took a tour. It was a beautiful building. I particularly liked how everything in the building was symmetrical :)

Stormont

 Left: steps and driveway leading up to Stormont. Right: Inside foyer of Stormont.

Next stop was a lunch at Queen's College. Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures of the campus because it decided to downpour during our short stay. Then we headed out to do a tour of the city of Belfast and the famous murals. The murals were amazing. I didn't realize how much conflict there was still in Northern Ireland between Catholics and Protestants. A lot of the homes and public buildings still have wire cages around them. The Europa Hotel is the most bombed hotel in Western Europe and the third most bombed hotel in the world. The communities are still split by religion and are all surrounded by walls (some of which the murals are painted on) which are closed at night. The whole concept was baffling but very interesting to learn more about. 

 Just a couple of the murals.

Then we headed to our hostel which was quite the adventure. We were put in an 18-person dorm. It was actually ridiculous. Thank goodness it was only one night. We got dinner and explored Belfast a little bit more- met some interesting characters at the hostel from New Zealand and other parts of the world.

The next morning we headed out to the Giant's Causeway which was absolutely gorgeous. There's the geological explanation about volcanoes forming the hexagonal columns and then there's the myth that it was formed by a giant in his quest for a wife. I like the mythological version better. 

 Chilling on some rocks, trying not to fall into the mossy water.

 Our next, and last, stop was Derry (or Londonderry). It is the only walled city left in Ireland. It was pretty cool to walk around a bit.

Then it was back on the bus to head back to Dublin. It was a whirlwind of two days but it was very educational and a good time overall. A lot of school work to get back to this week including a presentation and then its off to Tipperary for the weekend! We lucked out and found a living social deal so we will be staying at a real hotel! It'll be such a luxury!!

Slainte!!