After long journeys by each group member, we now find ourselves safely tucked into Stranmillis University College in Belfast. And as luck would have it, enjoying sunny days too! The only hiccup in weather occured this morning, while having coffee under an outdoor awning, as we were asked ever so politely to move or be drenched by the water that gathered and then began to drip through the middle seam. A very surprised passerby received two wet feet when the baristas pushed the middle of the awning up and the water splashed and gushed above the rim to the concrete sidewalk.
The first evening of the trip went as well as the weather. After a lovely dinner in the College’s cafeteria, including a dessert liberally spiced with nutmeg, the entire group and guests, Eamon Phoenix and Louie Edmondson, met in a very well-appointed conference room of picturesque windows that allowed that rare sun to stream through. The first wonderful guest speaker, Mr. Phoenix, is a local teacher at Stranmillis (a college of Queen’s University Belfast) and a rather extraordinary, encyclopedic historian. Without notes, Mr. Phoenix proceeded to succinctly provide an immensely engaging overview of the history leading up the beginning of the conflict in Northern Ireland.
Our speaker began with a reminder that 2008 is the 40th anniversary of the civil rights movement in Northern Ireland, one that echoed the movement occuring in Washington D.C. and utilized the principles of civil disobedience and nonviolent protest. Mr. Phoenix then proceeded to discuss the concepts so important in leading to the “troubles” period from 1969-1994, including home rule opposition, “change without change” in terms of social services provided by the liberal British government under Gladstone that did not address the needs for political changes, and the ongoing failure of each group to see or hear their opposition. As students scrambled to take notes, Mr. Phoenix connected these concepts to our current location in Stranmillis and those places the group will visit over the next two weeks. What a fantastic way to begin a week of study in Belfast!
To end the discussion, Mr. Phoenix discussed why the people of this country feel certain that, though there may be differences, this will be a lasting peace. His example being that next Tuesday, Paisley and Ahern, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland leaders respectively will meet next to the Boyne and renew their vow of friendship in their finals acts as leaders of their countries. A very hopeful example, one might believe.
Quote of the Evening: “Grass soon grows quickly over a battlefield but never over a scaffold.” -Sir Winston Churchill
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