Days 5 & 6: Learning About the Ulster-Scots

The past two days have been crazy busy. Yesterday morning Maddie, Ciara and I met Maynard and started off the day. We started by going to Belfast we look at some of the famous buildings. We passed the Titanic Belfast, the Titanic Studio’s (Game of Thrones) the Europa Hotel just to name a few. We got out of the car and went to the Ulster-Scots Agency. We met many of the people and learned a little bit more about the organization and what they do. Everyone was very kind and friendly.

After Belfast we got in the car and went to Donaghadee. We went up through the countryside and explored on our way there. When we got there we went to the bay and looked at Scotland, after that we went to what is thought to be the oldest Pub in Ireland (there is a small debate that another pub could have opened earlier). It was opened in 1611 it is called Grace Meall’s .

 

We took the ferry back and then headed over by Downpatrick. On our way back to New Castle we stopped and had some amazing food.

 

Today we went out to meet one of Maynard’s very good friends he showed us around his home, which was beautiful. Then we went to learn about and visit The Orange Order. It was very interesting to learn about this organization and some of the projects they are working on. One of the major things that we learned about was how they spent their money and their quotas for outreach and cross community building. The Organization was in a incredibly beautiful castle. This was the home of the Brownlow’s. We got to go see a tour of the building. We even saw the rooms that the servants would have stayed in. President Eisenhower slept there during the war when he was checking on the troops.

 

 

After that we went to Lurgan Junior High. This schools age range is 11-14. We went and met Paul Moorehead who was teaching student’s film. It was absolutely brilliant. They had a studio with offices and computers and in the other room was filming room. The students were making news reports, and documentaries. The level of hard work and professionalism by these students is incredible. Some of these young students ages 11-14 were absolutely incredible, they could speak better on camera than most students. This school is doing something that is new in education. The school has received all sorts of awards and recognition for this program. They are often asked to cover stories and events, the BBC has even used some of their footage. As a future educator of the performing arts it was incredibly inspiring! It is amazing was students can do if an educator believes in them.

 

Towards the end of the day we went to Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in County Down. We learned a little bit about the church and some of the incredible things that are kept there. We also saw the amazing crypt. It was incredible.

 

 

After that we went and had some dinner. Then we went to the town of Ballywalter. We went to a Community Action Group Meeting. This meeting planned events for the community. It was really nice that we could what Maynard does and how his organization helps the community.