Peace & Conflict: The Troubles in Northern Ireland May Term 2023

In this course, we will study the causes and effects of violence and non-violence in contexts ranging from the interpersonal to the international.  We will travel to Northern Ireland (Belfast and Derry) for approximately one week in an attempt to develop a more thorough understanding of how the "Troubles” impacted (and continues to impact) those who live there.  We will visit historically significant locations and interact with individuals willing to share their stories and experiences with us.  During this time, we will also spend several days at the Corrymeela Community learning about the "Troubles" from local experts and those who spend their time working on reconciliation efforts.  We will spend the second week traveling around the Republic of Ireland and learning more broadly about Irish culture and history with stops at the Cliffs of Moher, a drive through the scenic Dingle Peninsula, and dinner and traditional Irish music and dancing ("trad") at Bunratty Castle!

On Sunday, May 14th, our group of travelers will leave Cedar Rapids and head to Chicago O'Hare to catch our flight to Dublin!  Our group consists of:

• Neal McNabb (trip leader)
• Jennifer McNabb (trip leader)
• Bridgette Abernathy
• Em Armstrong
• Reagan Boyken
• Ella Brazell 
• Corinne Doty
• Emily Doty 
• Autumn Grzenia
• Keegan Koenen 
• Annabel McCune
• Jeana Quinlan 
• Peyton Saunders
• Alex Van Dee 
• Avery Ward

We invite you to follow along by reading our group's daily blog posts.  We will publish a new post every day of our trip, and each post will be by a different student in our group.  Our planned itinerary is below:

• 5/15
• Arrive in Ireland; visit the Ulster Museum & the Botanical Gardens in Belfast, Northern Ireland
• 5/16
• Political & historical walking tour of Belfast
• 5/17
• Tour of the Crumlin Road Gaol
• 5/18 - 5/20
• Stay at Corrymeela Community
• 5/21
• Drive the North Antrim Coast and visit Giant's Causeway
• 5/22
• Political & Historical Tour of Derry; Free Derry Museum
• 5/23
• Travel to Limerick (coach & train); dinner & trad at Bunratty Castle
• 5/24
• Burren & Cliffs of Moher
• 5/25
• Dingle Peninsula
• 5/26
• Travel to Dublin; visit Kilkenny's Castle
• 5/27
• Free Day!
• 5/28
• Trinity College tour; Books of Kells
• 5/29
• Return home 😢