About our trip

With only one week until we leave for our experience in Northern Ireland we thought we would fill everyone in our itinerary.

The first 4 days in Northern Ireland will be spent at the Corrymeela Center for Reconciliation in Ballycastle, NI. Corrymeela was started as a community of Christian, both Catholic and Protestant who decided to work together to provide an example of a non-sectarian way of life. That community has grown to over 150 members in the past 40 years. They started a residential program at a center on a cliff overlooking the North Atrim coast only a few miles from Giant's Causeway. Their mission is to serve all people in Northern Ireland regardless of creed, race, nationality, ability, or background. We will be meeting with their staff, learning about their programs, participating in a service project, and helping to lead worship.

To learn more about their program- check out this video from a recent fund raiser:


While at Corrymeela we will head west across Northern Ireland to Derry/ Londonderry. The name alone tells of the division in this city. It was the site of "Bloody Sunday" and infamous day in Northern Ireland when 13 innocent civil rights marchers where gunned down by the British military and police. We will met with and be led by a man who was at the march on Bloody Sunday and visit the Bloody Sunday museum.

Once we finish at Corrymeela, we will travel on to Belfast where will be hosted by the Presbyterian Chaplaincy at Queen's University. Our days will be filled meeting with politicians, clergy, community leaders, journalist, and students. We hope to continue in our learning about the history of the troubles and the recent events surrounding the peace process. We also plan to spend part of a day serving at a Community Center that works with the youth in Belfast.

Finally, we will take a day "off" to head down into the Republic and tour around Dublin. We hope to see all that Dublin has to offer in 12 short hours! Museums, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Trinity College, and the General Post Office are just a few of the sites we plan to take in.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we try to serve and learn from the people of Northern Ireland.

Check back for updates of our journey!

Peace,
The OWU Northern Ireland Mission Team