Day 8: Catching Up

 

Ok still catching up! Sorry that I am so behind. Friday was incredibly busy! Friday was so much fun Ciara, Maddie, Maynard and I had the opportunity to meet up with Dave from the Ulster-Scotts Agency we met up in Raphoe. After we went to the Ulster-Scots Agency office to meet Derrik we went to Derry in London Derry to meet up with Sarah Hines who was the 2012 Arizona Young Ambassador and is this year’s Arizona Colleen and Rose. Sarah was in Ireland for regionals, she made it through to finals at the Rose of Tralee (Congratulations Sarah!). Sarah was here with her sister Krissy and her mother Mrs. Hines and we met up with them to explore the City of Derry.

 

We started off the day by going to the First Derry Presbyterian Church. Then we passed through the city wall and learn about the Siege of 1688.  We learned about the Siege and looked at the wall and the different building. Then we went to the first Protestant Cathedral after the reformation St. Columb’s Cathedral. One of the really awesome things about this building was the fact that Cecil Frances Alexander attended this cathedral. She is a hymm writer, she wrote songs like There is a Green Hill Far Away. In this building they had a stain glass window to celebrate her and some the songs that she wrote.

Later we went to the town hall. It was amazing and beautiful! They had and exhibit about the plantations here in Ireland. It was very educational and we learned a great deal. Later we were taken up to see the council chamber!

Interesting fact:  The Gaelic word for Oak is Derry. (That is why the city got that name).

That evening we when to a Music Festival/ Parade in the city of Market Hill. We went to this event with Maynard unfortunately Sarah, Krissy and Mrs. Hines had to leave. Derrik had to leave as well. This was a very interesting event where I learned a great deal about the culture here in Northern Ireland. Many of these music events are seen as controversial here. They are often associated with the Orange Parades which often have a bad reputation. This was a Pipe and Drum Parade, this kind of music is associated with The Ulster Scot Community. Pipe and Drum are often taught as schools where Highland Dance is taught. I thought it was a lot of fun! The music was loud and wonderful. I even recognized some of the songs that were being played, like Yankee Doddle Dan Dee. I really enjoyed the music!