Day 4: Corrymeela Community 5-18-2023

Today, we had a bus to take us to from Belfast to Corrymeela we had to catch, at 9:30. Many of us went to get breakfast at the hotel before we left. 

Following this breakfast, we all rushed to get fully packed up from our adventures in Belfast. We then went downstairs to give our hotel keys back, and catch our bus. After we put our bags on the bus, and hopped on, we were on our way to Corrymeela. This ride lasted for about an hour, and then we were greeted with amazing sights, of the ocean, and many different types of flowers. 

After we had a bit of free time, it was time for Lunch, and following lunch was some lessons about the history of Ireland and the impact the British have had on this country. The British have had ties over Ireland since 1160, and they were once fully over it until the 1921, when the Irish and the British signed a ceasefire, which released 26 of Ireland's 32 Counties to become the Republic of Ireland. Britain remained in control of the main 6 counties of Ulster, mostly populated with Protestants. This was turned into "Northern Ireland". 

We had a small break and then we discussed the Troubles and the impact it had on Ireland. The Troubles were something that came about when Ireland formed the Irish Republican Army (The IRA), and they started trying to free Northern Ireland from British rule, and the British government responded violently. In 1969, there was all out war, ranging from British Military and police, to the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), among other spin offs. Then after nearly 30 years of fighting, the British Prime Minster, and the leader of the IRA signed the Good Friday Agreement, which was facilitated by American President Bill Clinton.