Day Eleven was a VERY interesting day. But this needs some context to explain the first activity. So, Grace and I had both been talking about getting a tattoo while we were in Ireland. This would be a great way to commemorate this trip. Grace was just thinking about it, while I had one already planned if I had the time and resources to get it. So, I told her that if she was serious about getting one, to let me know later on and we would go and get them. Fast forward to Thursday the 15th – Day ten – and Grace texted me asking if I wanted to get a tattoo still. I thought about it, and thought to myself that I would regret it if I didn’t. I did research and found a good place to do it called Sphynx Tattoo. Back to the start of Day Eleven, Grace made us sausage rolls she got while she was in Glasgow. These were really good and filling which was good for our tattoo adventure later. Once noon rolled around, we departed on our journey. We both had our designs picked out. Grace had a harp with flowers that she wanted to get on the back of her arm, and I wanted to get a four leafed clover behind my left ear. And I decided I wanted to get it in color, as I had some euros to spare and thought it would look nicer. We got to the tattoo place, got set up, and it was time. I was not sure how much my tattoo would hurt, because I had been told mixed things by people. Once my artist started, it didn’t feel that bad. But soon, it began to really hurt. I clenched my fist and endured the pain. I think when she was shading it was when it really hurt, it felt like a knife was being dragged against my skin. But my tattoo really took only about 30 minutes to get, so it wasn’t terrible. It just felt longer because of the pain. But once I got a look at it, it was all worth it. I got the green splashed onto it almost like it was a paint splash. And once I cleaned it off later, it looked really nice.
I am very happy with my tattoo, and it was really fun that Grace and I both got them! The next activity was another guest lecture. This was from Dr. Niall Gilmartin from Ulster University. He spoke on Northern Ireland and it’s Media during the troubles. This lecture was a little hard to follow, but still educational. He started out by doing a bit of background on how Northern Ireland was first partitioned from the republic. From here he would go into how the media affected people’s opinions on Northern Ireland and the conflict, as well as how the media was used to change perspectives. Both sides of the conflict used the media in different ways to try and benefit themselves or weaken the other side of the conflict. The Protestants would use the media to portray Catholics as problems, and would continue to manipulate how people viewed the IRA throughout the troubles. This even led to false information being put into government records because of how the media was so badly twisted. It was truly crazy how he told us that IRA soldiers would be murdered, and the Loyalists would frame it in a way that they were the heroes. It just goes to show that history is written differently depending on who’s writing it. Broadcast media also played an important role during the Troubles. Radio, and later television was used to great effect during this time. It had a huge effect on people’s everyday lives, giving them updates on the conflict. It also became used for propaganda purposes and pressured people to act in certain ways. It was also interesting how limited journalists power became during these times, as the government would make people censor certain articles or broadcasts. Overall, the media was huge for this time period in Irish history and still needs to be studied to this day to understand its full effects. The final activity of the day was another big one. I am a huge metalhead – I love heavy and fast music, and the adrenaline rush it gives me. So, when I found out from a friend that Gama Bomb – a thrash metal band from Ireland – would be performing in Dublin during our visit I knew I would have to go see them. And even more fun was that I convinced Max and Ash to come with me. The venue was the grand social. We arrived fairly early, so we got to look at the merch and get some drinks. Max got a shirt, so right away I could tell he was getting into it. Both Ash and Max were having a blast at this concert. And I loved it as well.
It was great music, and a fun time. But considering all that was done on this day, I’d say it was one of the most memorable days of the trip!