Category Archives: Uncategorized

St. Patricks Cathedral in Dundalk Growing up an alter boy in the town of Dundalk, Cillian spent most of his young life surrounded by both religion and conflict.  Religion was placed onto him at a young age as his parents pushed him into the arms of the Catholic church as an alter boy. However, hisContinue reading “A Man From Dundalk”

Northern Ireland’s community is more diverse than previously thought. The population consists of immigrants that have left their country of origin to reconstruct their lives in a new country as well as  Ireland born people.Some of them choose to settle in Derry. The majority of the immigrant community in Derry consists of Indian, Chinese, Filipino,Continue reading “Migrant Community”

All the people we have met with so far have been of a generation older than us (by us I mean, the students) that went through the Troubles. This makes perfect sense for our course, but I was curious to understand what the life of the younger generation was like after the Troubles and theContinue reading “The Younger Generation”

I had the privilege and pleasure of chatting with Stuart Moore, an member of the Apprentice Boys of Derry as well as an active member of the Derry community, this week. Stuart was able to explain to me a little more about The Associated Clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry and what their organizationContinue reading “The Apprentice Boys of Derry”

Roy Arbuckle is a true delight and leaves a smile on everyone’s face after talking with him.  It was a pleasure to be able to meet with him, ask him a few questions, and truly just be in his presence.  Roy tries to live by the mantra “be joyful,” and one thing that brings himContinue reading “The Joyous Roy Arbuckle”

This week in Derry, I had the pleasure of meeting an individual who works at the Pickled Duck Cafe. We had a lovely conversation about the current climate of Derry and how it affects everyday life, especially as a younger individual. Kate was actually raised in Buffalo, New York; however, her mother is from DerryContinue reading “Everyday People in Everyday Life”

In a community such as Derry, trans* and non-binary visibility can often be difficult and sometimes impossible. However, according to Jennifer Clifford, the trans* and non-binary youth of Derry are really running the show when it comes to trans* and queer advocacy and activism. It’s through organizations such as Out Northwest that are encouraging youngerContinue reading “Trans* Youth & Resilience”

Since the Good Friday Agreement, Northern Ireland has spent much of its sociopolitical and cultural efforts on peace-building and reconciliation between the Catholics/Nationalists and the Protestants/Unionists. The Troubles were a time so focused on the conflict between these two groups, that progress for other minority groups was neglected. It has been expressed to me byContinue reading “LGBTQ+ Youth in Derry”

Meet Gerry, a tour guide at Derry’s Guildhall and the Tower Museum. Born in the Creggan, he witnessed the oppression of the Catholic community from an early age. When violence broke out at the height of the Troubles, an eleven-year-old Gerry and his friends, having no understanding of the political forces in conflict with oneContinue reading “Finding Trust: A Derry Man’s Story”

Since being in Derry, I’ve noticed quite a few Palestinian flags around when walking through the Bogside and beyond. It was pleasing to see so much support for a sovereign state that has gone through so much suffering at the hands of the Israeli occupation. The places where the Palestinian colors are most common areContinue reading “In Solitary with Liberation”