Have you ever wondered what the UK side of Ireland looks like? Let me tell you it’s a place rich in history, and one that I think everyone should learn about. We took a trip up to Belfast on Saturday, which involved a two-hour drive into Northern Ireland. It was a really cool experience getting there. We even brought our passports and visas just in case, since we were crossing into a different country outside the EU. Our lecture professor gave us a brief history of The Troubles a violent conflict that lasted for decades and only began to resolve in the 1990s with the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. This peace deal brought an end to most of the conflict between the Catholic and Protestant communities.
At first, I felt nervous being there. The history is so recent, and knowing that we were standing in places where so many people lost their lives was overwhelming. It’s not some ancient history from centuries ago this happened in the lifetime of many people still living. I had to pause and take a deep breath at times because the weight of it all was heavy.
While exploring both sides of the city, we noticed strong differences. In the Catholic neighborhoods, you could clearly see their identity and desire to be part of the Republic of Ireland. Irish flags were everywhere, along with signs written in the Irish language and symbols of solidarity with Palestine. It felt familiar and, in a way, safe to me.
On the Protestant side, though, the atmosphere was very different. Union Jack flags, murals of Queen Elizabeth and King Charles, and symbols of British identity were prominent. It was honestly a bit shocking—here we were in Ireland, but it felt like a piece of the UK. Technically, Northern Ireland is part of the UK, but the contrast was still surprising and hard to fully grasp.
After all, I found some comfort in the fact that both communities now live in peace under an agreement that allows them to express who they are and what they believe. Will I visit Belfast again? Probably not. But this trip left a lasting impression on me. It was a powerful learning experience one that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life. I’m grateful I got to see it.