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Upper School Students Explore Conflict and Reconciliation Through Travel
Ten Upper School students traveled to Northern Ireland from February 12–16 as part of a five-day Curricular Travel Path. There they explored the region’s recent history of conflict and reconciliation and considered the effort behind building a more peaceful future.
“I hope students came away understanding that peace isn’t a static achievement but an ongoing commitment–one that requires perspective-taking, deep listening, and the courage to stay in difficult conversations even when resolution feels distant,” said Head of Student Support, Health, and Wellness Juliet Moretti.
Led by Moretti and History Department Chair Virginia Dillon, the program focused on a particular time period: the 1960s through the 1990s. In its first year, the path emphasized deep engagement as students navigated new geographic and political terrain. They visited significant historical sites and listened to powerful firsthand testimony from “the Troubles,” the period encompassing sectarian violence, and those who have contributed towards ongoing restorative efforts.
The journey to Ireland balanced history with engagement and reflection. Students worked at a community youth center and took part in a peace-and-reconciliation workshop, then found quiet and perspective while exploring the region’s wild beauty at Glenveagh National Park and Doe Castle in County Donegal.
“What moved me most about this trip was the opportunity we had to learn directly from people who lived through profound violence and loss, yet continue to show up every day to do the hard, messy, imperfect work of peace and reconciliation even decades later,” shared Moretti. “Seeing people choose this work every day, despite how hard it is, reminded all of us that the most important things are rarely easy, but they’re always worth it.”
What follows are reflections by the students; their candid accounts capture daily discoveries, eye-opening conversations, and the small, surprising moments that turned exploration and observation into understanding.
Pit Stop Epiphanies: From Dublin to Derry
Grover Howell ’26
On our way from Dublin International Airport to Derry, we stopped at a petrol station near the [Northern Ireland] border to refill the van and get lunch. Even in such a mundane location, it was our first look at what made Ireland different from the United States. They had a full deli-style counter reminiscent of a bodega in New York (or a WaWa). Snacks such as [Cadbury] Fingers, Digestives, and orange soda with bits. After eating in the seating area, what most intrigued me was a machine that could take your bottles on a conveyor belt and return a coupon for 0.15€ automatically.
Walking the Derry Walls
Ryan Speaker ’27
We spent the afternoon on a tour of the Derry city walls with [tour guide] Ruairi [Irish name pronounced similar to “Rory’]. I was surprised to learn how significant Derry had been to Northern Irish history dating all the way back to the 1600s. It had been a point of intense conflict between Catholics and Protestants. Beyond Ruairi’s history talk, his ability to speak to multiple perspectives of the conflict was fascinating. It was not just a story in black and white, but rather a complex one of a town trying to reach a point of equality for all its people.
Commemorating the Past and First Hand Accounts
Aki Fields ’27
After the Siege Museum, our group took a tour at the Museum of Free Derry (at the location where the massacre Bloody Sunday took place). There, we had a more interactive experience, further learning of the key conflicts [in British and Irish history] that would cause Bloody Sunday (1973). We also listened to Mickey Kinsella, who spoke about his personal experiences during this time period, such as when he was unjustifiably sent to prison as a teen.
An Unforgettable Visit Across the Invisible Border
James Green ’28
On day three of the trip, we went to the Republic of Ireland county Donegal to see one of the most beautiful and interesting landscapes on the island. We drove across the Invisible Border seeing changes in the signs such as distance units and the Irish language. We went up to the fortress/temple built by ancient Vikings that has been preserved by the local Irish population, showing the country’s commitment to the preservation of history on the island.
Next, we ventured to Murder Hole Beach and hiked to a remote cave, passing rock formations that have been shaped by the sea and piercing green peaks that make the landscape wild and unique. The legend of the beach is the story of a tax collector’s greed which leads to [local] people throwing him into the cave to drown. We then visited the Fanad Lighthouse museum where we climbed to the top to see the landscape. We also learned about the ship that crashed and other information about sailing and lighthouses in Ireland. Later we traveled to the Great Pollet Sea Arch, saw highland cows in the green fields, and trekked down to the beach where I saw one of the most unique natural rock formations I have ever seen.
Visiting Crumlin Road Gaol
Finbar McGovern ’28
We spent the morning traveling by bus to Belfast for lunch. After lunch, we headed to Crumlin Road Gaol [pronounced “jail”] where we met our tour guide, Harry. He told us about the history of the jail, including everything from executions to the IRA and other political prisoners. The main thing we focused on was the Troubles and the interactions between prisoners and the outside world. Certain organizations targeted judges, planted bombs, and helped escapes. These experiences showed me that politics existed both inside and outside of the prison, even leading to divide within.
A Candid Talk with Former Irish Republican Army (IRA) Member
Molly Speaker ’29
Today in Belfast, talking with [local] Anne Marie shifted how I understood the Troubles. What stood out to me from her story wasn’t just her experiences, but also how her family’s perspectives shaped her actions. Many of them were part of the Irish Republican Army. What stood out to me the most was how normalized all the conflict was for her. It was a daily part of her life. Listening to her made me realize that it is very easy to judge situations from the outside. It is much harder to understand situations without knowing the full picture and [getting] multiple perspectives.
Cultural Exchange in Youth Centers Near the Peace Walls
Joshua Lippert ’28
We started off at the Peace Walls, a significant piece of infrastructure that plays into the central lasting effects of the Troubles on modern-day Ireland. The walls, as well as the murals, inflict emotions of hope, determination, and defiance. For example, the Bobby Sands Memorial showed chains and birds freeing him of his containment, representing the fight for equal treatment. (Sands had died after a hunger strike in prison.) The walls, while still being over 100 years old, have a lasting impact on the economy around it. The neighborhoods remain segregated and the population continue to suffer economically, have areas with lower test scores, and more violence. The walls and murals represent how the Troubles still impact Ireland today.
The Peace & Reconciliation Workshop with Steve Hughes was not only a time to learn about the Troubles, but also the continued effort to help the next generation. While evidence of that time is still prevalent, Hughes and his team work to prepare the youth to see past violence, and come together in a time where gangs and drugs are common. Hughes’ focus on helping his community is a strong example of the continuing work to stop the effects of the conflict.
Last, and certainly not least, the youth centers allowed me and many others on the trip to learn about how young people felt about the conflict. [Despite many of them still struggling with] some issues with drugs and gangs, many of the kids were similar to us and we got along very well. They enjoyed video games and pool and they wanted to understand American culture better. The exchange of culture allowed us to understand our privilege as well as our commonality. The football game at the end was a fun (and comical way) to end a beautiful trip.
Read more stories about curricular travel opportunities at Poly Prep.
