Stories of Ireland 2018

Bundoran is a small town in Countyy Donegal on the west coast of Ireland. During the troubles of the 1960s to late 1990s it was hard to market tourism for a town just 4 miles away from the border of Northern Ireland, where most of the violence was occurring. But tourists are coming now and locals think Bundoran has what it takes remain a tourist destination. Jessi Walker, Kelly Raab and Sydney Sept report.

Surfers of all shapes and sizes are finding a welcoming environment in the cold waters ofIreland’s west coast. Miranda Johnson and Jesse DeFelice report on the rise of the surprising surfing mecca of Bundoran.

Red Hugh O’Donnell was chief of the O’Donnell clan when he built his castle in 1474. Donegal Castle, sometimes called O'Donnell Castle, was built on the ruins of a Viking fortress. When the British took over Ireland, the Brooke Family took over Donegal Castle. The British are gone now. The castle, in ruins for centuries, has been restored. It reflects the British influence and the resilience of Irish culture. Jesse DeFelice reports.

Protest music has a long history in Ireland and the U.S. The anthems of the US civil rights movement, like We Shall Overcome were embraced by protestors opposed to British rule of Northern Ireland. Meanwhile in the U.S., rap and hip-hop artists sang out against racism and police brutality. David Shuer and Isis Ishino report on two musicians- one living on the west coast of the U.S. and the other living on the west coast of Ireland- who are linked by protest music.

The term life long learner applies to Richard Shipley, the 81-year-old Olympic college student who traveled to Ireland with other students for a second time in 2018. Megan Harry sat down in a noisy bar to find out why he was still taking classes.

The Museum of Free Derry in Derry Northern Ireland tells the story of Sunday Bloody Sunday, when British troops fired on protestors, killing 14. John Kelly is a tour guide at the museum. He also lost a brother on that day. Isis Ishino Amen reports.

After a study tour of Ireland, Bellevue College students Jessi Walker and Isis Ishino-Amen talk about the ways prejudice shaped and still influences Ireland, America and their own lives.

Across the world, women are fighting for the right to safely terminate pregnancies. On May 25th, 69% of Irish voters repealed constitutional ban on abortion in the republic of Ireland. Audrey Bean, Megan Harry and Hannah Judson report on a historic moment in Irish culture.

There is a story that back in the Sixties, Jimi Hendrix was asked what it was like to be the greatest guitarist in the world. Supposedly Hendrix responded, ‘I don’t know, go ask Rory Gallagher.’ Whether that tale is true or not, to this day American and Irish musicians continue to inspire each other. Audrey Bean reports.

The Doagh Famine Village is a tourist attraction in Ireland. It tells the story of Irish life from the Great Famine of the 1840s through until the present day.

When the English ruled Ireland, Catholicism was outlawed. Catholics had to find secret places where they could worship. Miranda Johnson reports from a site where priests performed mass by a rushing river.

Drag culture is taking to the stage in Ireland in a way it never has before, thanks in part to Ru Paul's American television show. Hannah Judson reports on a new sense of acceptance among the performers.

Castle Donegal, in Donegal Town in Western Ireland stood in ruins until the 1990's. Restored now, it remains a potent symbol of Irelands political history and relationship with the United Kingdom. Bellevue College Student Jessi Walker reports.

Northern Ireland and Ireland are separated by a long border that has been open since the signing of the 1998 Peace Accord that ended the violence of "The Troubles." When the United Kingdom leaves the European Union, will the open border close? Kaddy Jabbi reports.

Almost wherever you travel, you’re likely to come across an Irish pub. There are upwards of 8,500 of them in 152 countries around the world. Their motif is often the same: dark wood paneling, Irish memorabilia on the walls, music, sports on TV, raucous conversation, and of course Guinness on tap. Irish pubs proliferated beyond Ireland in the 1980’s and 90’s when Guinness set up a consulting firm called Irish Pub Concept, which helped start thousands of Irish themed pubs around the world. Tim Jones, professor of Political Science at Bellevue College near Seattle Washington, takes us to a very different kind of Irish pub on the Wild West Coast of Ireland.

Bellevue College students David Joseph, Miranda Johnson, and Hannah Judson discuss race relations in the United States as informed by their April 2018 study abroad trip to learn about the civil rights conflict in Ireland.

After a study tour of Ireland, students Sydney Sept and David Shuer of Bellevue College and Grant Rasmussen of Olympic College talk about race, culture and immigration in Ireland and America.

Students from Bellevue College spent a week in Bundoran, Ireland in April 2018. They delved into Irish history, culture and politics. Students Jesse DeFelice, Kaddy Jabbi and Sean Stuart talk about their experiences in Ireland. They discuss race, religion and surfing.

Palestinian and Israeli flags fly over the city of Derry in Northern Ireland. For centuries the city has been a center of tensions between Loyalists who support continued union with Great Britain and Republicans who want a united Irish Republic. Dr. Patrick Fitzgerald is an Irish historian. He believes both sides fly these flags as a way to link their poitical struggle to the wider world.

In April 2018 Bellevue College (BC) sent 13 students and three faculty members to Ireland as part of a study abroad program focused on civil rights and social justice. For twelve days we were based in Bundoran in County Donegal on what is referred to as the Wild West Coast of Ireland. Bundoran is a beautiful beach town that draws surfers and other nature enthusiasts from around the world. Unfortunately, like many tourist towns, Bundoran has a problem with trash. Since we were there over Earth Week, as a small gesture of appreciation for the community that hosted us, our group cleaned up two beaches in town. This radio postcard from Bundoran gives an audio glimpse into our community service experience. This story was recorded and produced by Tim Jones, a Professor of Political Science at BC. Student participation in this study abroad program was funded in part by the Bellevue College Student Environmental Sustainability Fund as well as the following offices/groups on campus: the Office of Global Initiatives, the Office of the President, the Office of Instruction, the Office of Equity and Pluralism and the Student Services and Activities Committee.

Bellevue College Study Abroad students and instructors traveled to the Galapagos Islands in January and to Ireland in April 2018. They explored the connections between environmental sustainability and social justice on these trips. Towards the end of their Ireland session, students Kaddy Gabbi, Isis Ishino and Sydney Sept sat down with Economics Professor Brandon Unti and Political Science Professor Tim Jones to talk about what they’ve come to understand about trying to build a fair and sustainable society. Student participation in the Ireland journey was funded in part by the Bellevue College Student Environmental Sustainability Fund. Steve Scher recorded this podcast at Brennan's in Bundoran, Ireland.