Just back from Northern Ireland, students recommend Free Derry Museum as must-see for President Biden

As President Joe Biden set off for his trip to Northern Ireland to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, a group of Ohio University students just returning from their own experience there have some suggestions for the president's itinerary.

The 24 students in the Northern Ireland: Human Rights, Law and Justice program spent their spring break in Northern Ireland, meeting with human rights lawyers, ex-political prisoners, victims' associations, and restorative justice practitioners as they explored the legacy of "the Troubles." 

Megan Taylor and Riley Sargent, two Center for Law, Justice and Culture certificate students on the trip, would advise the president to visit the Museum of Free Derry.

"It was probably the most moving place that we visited in Northern Ireland," Taylor said. "Free Derry Museum best captures the civil rights struggle that took place during 'the Troubles,'" added Sargent.

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The two agreed also that it was imperative for President Biden to visit a peace wall, separating republican from loyalist areas, specifically at one of the gates that closes every night at 7 p.m., while he's in Belfast.

"These walls are not only a reminder of the past but also represent the current divisions in Northern Ireland. Being in that space really gives you perspective on how the communities continue to live separate and apart from each other and also the fear and mistrust of each other that still very much exists," they said jointly.

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Students start their experience at Museum of Free Derry

The popular Northern Ireland study abroad program, resumed after a two-year pandemic hiatus, included undergraduate students from majors including anthropology, sociology-criminology, political science, and international studies, many of them in the Law, Justice and Culture Certificate program. Graduate students in the Law, Justice and Culture master's program also participated in the program, which provides OHIO credit and is led by Haley Duschinski, associate professor of anthropology in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Larry Hayman, Esq., director of legal engagement and the pre-law program at the Center for Law, Justice and Culture in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Center for Advising, Career and Experiential Learning.

The students kicked off their time in Northern Ireland by spending three days in Derry. They started with a trip to the Museum of Free Derry to learn about the history of the city and its contribution to the groundbreaking civil rights struggle that erupted in the mid-1960s and culminated in the massacre on Bloody Sunday.

The next day, students visited the Apprentice Boys of Derry Museum to understand the protestant history and culture within the city. They also had an opportunity to visit the Pat Finucane Centre that works on non-violent conflict resolution across the island. While at the center, students asked questions about the organization's work and talked with staff members about their individual casework for families who have lost loved ones. Throughout their time in Derry, students were also led on walking tours and discussions by an ex-political prisoner from the community.

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On to Belfast

The group then traveled across Northern Ireland to Belfast. On their journey, they visited the town of Armagh to learn more about the historical importance of religion on the island. Only a few days away from St. Patrick's Day, students visited both St. Patrick's Cathedral and the Anglican Cathedral.

Students spent the remainder of their time exploring Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland. During their time in Belfast, they spoke with the director of the Rainbow Project, members of the Committee on the Administration of Justice, and community members from both sides of the conflict. Students also had a chance to visit the office where the Rainbow Project, a health organization devoted to improving the health and well-being of LGBTQIA+ people and their families, provides services to the community. Later in their trip, they were joined by two members of the Committee on the Administration of Justice who spoke about their work to promote justice and protect rights in Northern Ireland.

Additionally, students had the opportunity to tour notable sites such as Shankill Road, Falls Road, Milltown Cemetery and Crumlin Road Gaol. While touring these sites, students saw many murals and peace walls.

The group concluded their final two days by immersing themselves in local culture, history and lore. Students spent their St. Patrick's Day celebrating with the local community, many attending the numerous parades and events held throughout Belfast. On their final day, they toured the Northern coast to visit Giant's Causeway and castles dating back to the 13th century.

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Exploring history and culture beyond the Troubles

"For me, the most memorable part of the trip was exploring Irish culture and history beyond just 'the Troubles,'" shared third-year student Hannah Louck. "The people I met had such a deep appreciation for their rich history and an enthusiastic willingness to share it with others. Nothing is as powerful as historical storytelling in the place where history unfolded."

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"Many important lessons were learned during that trip, and I will be applying those lessons throughout my life," said senior Michaela Grubich.

For some students, it was not the locations but the personal connections that had the most significant impact.

"As the trip went on, I felt myself engage more and more with people in the communities we visited. While the museums were impactful, stories from the Northern Ireland citizens really hit home. They shared experiences ranging from violence to tears and even death. I learned that every story has two sides, and all narratives are worthy of being listened to," said sophomore Taylor Schneider.

With many travel restrictions returning to normal, this study abroad program plans to return as an annual educational opportunity for Ohio University students. This program provides students with the ability to travel abroad while earning academic credit for a course that focuses on the post-conflict transition of Northern Ireland.

Duschinski and Hayman noted that the topic of human rights, justice, and culture remain important in Northern Ireland as its unique position in Brexit negotiations causes tensions throughout the community. The Northern Ireland Protocol, implemented by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, created agitation amongst the Northern Ireland citizens. However, a few weeks before the study abroad trip, the United Kingdom changed to the Windsor Framework to allow more straightforward trade with Northern Ireland, which shares a land border with the Republic of Ireland, a European Union country.