This was one of my most insightful days on this trip. Firstly, we left the City Hotel in Derry, where Derry’s walls and stories will definitely stick with me. We visited a circular stone structure that we learned was a spiritual site where, years ago, people would go to practice their faith. We stood inside and walked on top of the stone structure, and questions like “How did they build this?” and “How long did this take?” were recurring thoughts in my brain.
After that, we went to a city called Sligo. The second I got off the bus, I looked around at the colorful storefronts, outdoor seating, and busy streets, and immediately noticed how European the city felt. It felt comparable to Italy in this way, and I heard others reference Spain or France. We were then given time to explore and find lunch, and Layla Abdi, Mr. Kelly, and I scoped out this award-winning Afro-Caribbean fusion restaurant called Funké. I had some Nigerian food, and Layla and Mr. Kelly had some of the fusion dishes.
After that, we found a really sweet Irish knit shop, and I got some gifts for my family members, and the shop owners were really happy about the influx of shoppers. I would definitely recommend visiting Sligo.
Following that, we visited a beach that once again showcased Ireland’s beauty. The shape of the coastline created areas of warmer and colder water, and it was another reminder of how impressive nature can be. The scenery and the water made it easy to understand why people would spend hours there simply enjoying the view.
After this, we went to our new hotel, which was in a castle and had all the amenities like a pool and gym, and a few of us went to the pool together to relax after a good day of exploration.
What stuck out to me the most was that at first, I thought to myself that we were doing things that a typical Irish resident would not be doing, and that at the places we went, we wouldn’t see many actual Irish people. Instead, I noticed locals enjoying many of the same places we visited. Even at the beach, which I thought would be more niche, we saw local people enjoying the view for much longer than we did. It made me realize that we were not just seeing Ireland through a tourist lens—we were experiencing places that Irish people genuinely enjoy themselves.
Additionally, Irish people have been so friendly to us, something I didn’t expect from my experience in other countries. Many people would strike up conversations with us, tell us stories, and wish us luck. These interactions happened throughout the trip and made me feel genuinely welcomed. It is something that will stick with me when I think back on Ireland.