Eleven Roses, Two Thorns

Today had it’s ups and downs. Literally. We began our day on an expedition to explore the wonder that is Northern Ireland. Our first stop on our adventure was the Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge, which connects the mainland to a small island used by local fisherman. Although it still serves it’s fishing purposes it has also become a well known tourist attraction. For most of us, this was an unexpected physical and mental challenge. This bridge loomed about 100 feet above jagged death rocks and crashing ocean waves, not to mention the rains and high winds that claimed a baseball cap. Many of our group members reluctantly dragged themselves across while others skipped across the bridge with great trust in the ropes and planks that made up this structure. The view on the other side was surreal. This was also a time that brought the group closer through encouragements and extensions of support. It was evident that the group was becoming more attuned to each others needs, which will certainly help us succeed in what we ultimately came here to do.



Moving from one place to the next in our coach van we were provided with constant entertainment by our driver Michael. Throughout our time spent with him he was cracking jokes left and right, telling tall tales, and getting to know us better. While we stopped to have a countryside lunch, he noticed one of us with our headphones in listening to music. He commented, "Are you jammin' darlin? Strawberry or raspberry?" We all burst into laughter and appreciated his witty Irish humor.


On the way to our next sight, we stopped to visit the smallest church in all of Ireland called St. Gobban's Church. This secluded and neutral place of worship accepts all religions and all denominations. Donations to a special coin box inside the church is evenly distributed among charities. John Auld's cottage shares the same property as this church and we struck up a conversation with him while visiting. He proceeded to tell us about his service in the United States Navy and gave us the special privilege to enter his cottage. This was a place of wonder holding many artifacts from different generations, including a canoe dated all the way back to 450 AD and items from the Titanic. We've learned that often times relationships in Northern Ireland can take an especially long time to build, however we were welcomed by Mr. Auld instantly. In more neutral areas, such as where this church is located or at Corrymeela perhaps the Northern Irish take a more open and unguarded approach to others.


Our afternoon concluded at the Giant's Causeway, another famous geological treasure. There are two different stories as to how over 40,000 hexagonal columns were formed. One is a mystical tale about two fighting giants and one is a scientific theory about volcanic eruptions. A short introductory movie clip about the Causeway ended saying that there's one kind of rock but two different stories and it was up to us to decide. As this site has awed countless travelers for centuries, it had the same effect on us. These two stories but one type of rock could symbolize the Conflict in Northern Ireland we've been learning about.



Back at Corrymeela we were invited to watch or participate in a talent show organized for a group of kids, "Corrymeela's Got Talent". These youth were staying here for the week going through a program put on here focusing on cross-community integration. This gave us a special opportunity to interact with the young people in a fun way as a number of us chose to showcase our own special talents. Through interactions as well as encouraging the youth, a door was opened for us all to briefly experience direct work with Northern Ireland youth. It was inspiring to see how the youth workers here used fun and interactive activities as meaningful teaching opportunities.

As Michael named us earlier in the day, "The group of eleven roses and two thorns" (representing the female to male ratio), we have used this day here in Ireland to build a stronger bond within the group. We were privileged to gain insight on another side of Northern Ireland, a very beautiful side...

Participation and Pure Fun!

"No one is born a good citizen; no nation is born a democracy. Rather, both are processes that continue to evolve over a lifetime. Young people must be included from birth. A society that cuts off from its youth severs its lifeline."

-Kofi Annan

We had a bit of a "lie-in" this morning (sleeping in) as the volunteers of Corrymeela have come to understand our group to be slow-starters (to put it euphemistically). As we were we gathering for our morning session, we noticed the weans from Dunclug Primary School lining up to leave! So, of course a room of youth workers need to say their good-byes. It was quite sad to see all their positive energy leave our new home community, but we're looking forward to interacting with the next group of young people from a secondary school who we're told are staying until Sunday! We hear their sleeping habits are a bit more like ours...

For our morning session three of Corrymeela's long-time volunteers (LTVs), Sang, Raziyah, and Theresa, walked us through how they work with youth, treating us as if we were a group. Many of the games and experiential learning activities follow similar methodology lines we are used to at the University of Minnesota, but the volunteers took care to point out how many of the activities are geared towards bringing the two groups of the conflict together.

One activity had the entire group holding strings and working together to raise a ball from one unstable pole to another pole 15 feet away. The key was to attempt this process without dropping the ball or tipping anything over - if so, we were to begin the process over! We came to realize this process cannot be accomplished without listening to everyone's perspectives in the circle. The LTV's explained their debriefing they hold with youth groups, and how they ask the right questions to get at the concept of how everyone may see one event (or conflict) from completely different perspectives, but how important it is to consider all sides when attempting to explore solutions to struggles.

Afterwards, Alissa spontaneously led us in a relaxing back-rub circle and group bonding moment. This special moment reinforced what we learned during the activities as well: that even in the few days that we have been together, our group has become very cohesive and good at "having each others' backs", and positively working through any group dynamic struggles. As for us three, we're very proud of our family of 16 (Theresa included!).

For dinner some of us ventured to Morton's in Ballycastle, for "the best fish & chips" in the world, according to folks that have experienced and/or lived here...we have to agree the fish was fresh, hot & flaky, and the chips were tasty! Afterwards, it was off to the town, The Central Restaurant, to have some 'pure fun!' For our first night experiencing the local scene, we were treated to traditional Irish hospitality. One of our group members was even given the opportunity to entertain the patrons with two songs! PURE FUN!

Bitter Spaces & New Beginnings

Today was a much needed day. Here at Corrymeela, we are having many critical conversations, sitting at the edge of an ancient country and attempting to understand its long and painful history. The opportunity to take in some of the beauty and mystery behind this space had most, if not all of us, feeling wide-eyed and adventurous. The thought of our curiosity being intrusive or even destructive did not cross our minds until we ventured into the town of Ballycastle, more than eager to see what lay beyond the hills we had only glimpsed in our photographs. The sense of freedom we had been welcomed into at Corrymeela transcended its lovely walls onto the sandy beaches we followed towards the town. Frolicking in the sand, we pressed on admiring the colorful rocks (the beaches of Ireland are a geological treasure chest).







Shortly after we stepped over an estuary and into the town limits; there were signs of separation all around us. The progress we had made just that morning in our understanding of everyday life in Northern Ireland was now being put to the test. Professor, Ross VeLure Roholt, had challenged us to use visual signs in order to understand who was in ownership of this town. Our inability to comprehend how the people in this community live time, space, self and the other was apparent as we tried to decipher meaning in every mural, street sign, door, gate, symbol, artifact and face we encountered. There was a feeling of tension we were not quite able to understand. Our position as tourists and outsiders left us feeling uncertain of how we fit into and/or affected this space. At the end of this experience we returned to the comfort of our temporary home where a new guest awaited.



Lisa Rae is studied in English, Museum studies, and most importantly has twelve years of experience in youth work. She has helped to provide neutral spaces for youth of a sectarian society in Northern Ireland by supporting them in redefining museum space. Youth of all classes are only welcomed into museums under restricted circumstances, but she has provided them with the opportunity to take ownership of the museum through self-curated exhibitions. A highlight in our discussion with Mrs. Rae was how she put this magic into words:

You need to put them in the right situations, at the right time, in the right place, in order to create an environment for them to uncover what they already know.

We discovered our own meaning in Mrs. Rae's powerful words after hearing the following conversation between two girls also visiting Corrymeela from an Irish primary school:

Girl 1: Why do Catholics and Protestants pure riot all the time?
Facilitator: Well why do you think that is?
Girl 1: Because the Catholics don't like the Protestants, and the Protestants don't like the Catholics.
Girl 2: But they're not really all that different!

This discussion is evidence that Corrymeela does what Mrs. Rae put so beautifully; We learned that our role as youth workers is to turn bitter spaces into new beginnings, and this place does just that.

Day 2 "Where do you belong?"

Fun Fact for the Day! Corymeela means "Hill of Harmony"

-After learning this meaning we had a good chuckle because whenever someone mentioned hills someone else would start to sing "The hills are alive with the sound of music..." and we were never in musical harmony.

Day 2 began with getting adjusted to our new home at Corymeela. We found a great saying on the front door as you exit to help explain what this place is about.

Our day consisted of learning more of how, what, where and why Corymeela does what it does. We still have until Sunday to be here, but we are getting a great idea of how powerful this place is and the work that it does.

The morning consisted of us getting used to the six hour time change. We awoke to find beautiful sunny skies despite "the myth" it rains all the time in Ireland (we knocked on wood after we typed this). At breakfast we were pleasantly surprised to find Corn Flakes and Rice Krispies. Some of us also sampled the other cereal called Wheatabix (we think this is right).

In order to slowly work ourselves back into the school work mindset we met with our small groups to discuss various questions we wanted to ask our guest speaker, Ivan Cross, who specializes in cross-community work in Northern Ireland. After our group discussions we met up in a large group for a quick check-in and debriefing to go over the various questions established which included: Why did he become interested in youth work? What is cross-community work? How is the program funded? How do you approach the youth about attending Corrymeela? How do you avoid burn-out?

After a delicious and filling meal of breaded chicken or vegetarian dish, bread, and salad/slaw we met in our room for our discussion with Ivan. He began the talk by asking us to go around the room and give our names and to answer the question, "Where do you belong?" This was a puzzling question for several of us as we don't often think where do we belong, it is one of those things you could say is often taken for granted. He continued his talk by explaining the significance of belonging, particularly in Northern Ireland. He explained that in order to do cross-community work, a sense of safety and security are essential, both of these elements are developed when the feeling of belonging coincides with where youth are told they belong.

Many of you may be wondering what cross-community work is or what it looks like. It can take various forms but for the most part it is bringing two different sides together to talk and discuss in a neutral setting. An important aspect is to remember it is not about converting or eroding the other group but rather hearing the other group.

Ivan shared with us some very useful and personal stories that many of us found enlightening and meaningful. Some of the main points we took away were noticing how he creates a safe space for the youth to become aware of themselves, taking responsibility for their actions, as well as knowing that they have a choice in what they do. He also takes the time to build trusting relationships with the youth he works with which helps create the secure space that is crucial to cross-community work.

After talking with Ivan we had a brief discussion about tomorrow's agenda then we all rushed off to diner. Tonight we had a version of Shephard's Pie (meat and vegetarian) with chips (french fries) as the mashed potatoes.

As the sun is setting on our day, we are left to reflect on what we have learned today. We have many questions swirling in our minds so we would like to leave this one with you to ponder... Where do you belong? Give it a thought, it may be more challenging than you think!

:)

Above Photo: "Kayla on the rocks"

Day one: Laura Hughes.

This place is poetry.
It is music.
It is the sun and the cloudless blue sky,
a phenomenal first impression for those who have never seen the splendor that is Ireland on a sunny day.
It is the fresh sea air in your lungs and tossing through your hair, peeling back the layers of stress and grime acquired on the long journey of taxis, buses, airplanes, more airplanes, forgotten and misplaced luggage, delays, waiting, and more buses... exhaustion.

It is the feeling that you were meant to be here somehow, and that it was all worth it.

It is the hills that touch the clouds, that make you want to run even though your tired legs felt immobile a minute before.
It is the people who go out of the way to brighten up your room and make you feel at home.

It is the feeling you get, as you sit on the rocks facing an irish sea and an irish sun, that your heart and your soul are both completely alive and completely at peace.

It is the feeling that you needed this, and you need to be here.

This place is the inspiring, breathtaking beauty that you desperately try to catch with your camera.
It is the wish that those back home, or those who have not known peace for some time, could see what your eyes are seeing
... as even your fancy camera could never do it justice.

It is the strange feeling of unity and camaraderie with people you barely even know, but know that you will know, and come to hold dear in your heart.

... right next to your mental picture of rocks and sea and sun and...

green.

This place is Corrymeela, Ballycastle, Northern Ireland... and we are apart of it now.













(above photos, from top to bottom: One of the corrymeela buildings/Sarah and Alissa finding treasures/tidepools on the beach/Robbie exploring the beach/some of the group enjoying the weather/Some of the group enjoying the view/The sun setting on a beautiful day)