Khakis Rock The Garden

Last evening we all got a message from Dr. Tim letting us know he wouldn't be by until 11am for us so we could have a lie in, which after the busy week was greatly appreciated. It was a nice relaxed morning around the house as everyone got up and ready in their own time, a few quiet conversations taking place as we ate and gathered our things. When Dr. Tim arrived we all piled into the car and the khaki glad crew was ready to go! We were headed to the St. Patrick's Centre to help get ready for the Garden Party that afternoon. Moving things and setting up chairs was easy enough but then we were asked to help plant flowers in the pots, something a few of us weren't exactly sure how to accomplish. Luckily for us Dr. Tim just wanted them planted and didn't expect us to be garden designers! There was definitely some sweeping and cleaning up needed after we had finished. Once we'd gotten all set up we grabbed a coffee from the cafe and a quick snack, Katherine and I ran downstairs to our bags real quick as we'd both brought heals to try and look a little dressier.

The Garden Party helped to raise money for MyMy (Mind Your Mate Mind Yourself) a local organization founded to help provide the necessary services those in the Newcastle area and district to good to empower good mental health and well being. They help to provide person-centered care, things like counseling, support services, and education aiming to reduce self-destructive behavior and poor mental health. Their core values are centered around Respect, Trust, Confidentiality, Compassion, Equality and Integrity. Recent statistics show Northern Ireland has the highest rate of suicide in the UK, along with the higher levels of depression, higher antidepressant prescription rates and higher rates of self-harm; while the rate of spend on mental health remains the lowest in the UK. MyMy are working hard to affect a change in their community and change these statistics, if you'd like to read more about this organization and what they are doing to serve the community check out their website.

My My Website

After having spent all week in the Downpatrick community there were many familiar faces in the garden as we mingled about. There were delicious hotdogs and hamburgers served along with some tasty sides, and as everyone ate we began to introduce each other to those others had not yet met. It was really nice to see some of the cross community work the St. Patrick's centre promotes in actions, there were many people from different political parties and religious backgrounds enjoying the sunny weather we were lucky enough to have. It was also great to see so many familiar faces, Dermott and Helena from Glebe house, Eamon, and several councilors including Councilors Brown and Andrews, and Father McManus.

Unfortunately for the sun worshippers among us the rain only held of until Dr. Tim began to speak, he thanked everyone for coming and then gave each of us Young Ambassadors a chance to say a few words before the representative for MyMy spoke about the program. Often times the quietest among us Andres (Minnesota) spoke about the cross community work he was able to help with between the different churches, and Katherine (Milwaukee) though the youngest of us has my vote any day to speak for our group as she speaks quite confidently and intelligently.

Each year the Ambassadors from across North America bring a stone from their part of the world to place into the garden. As though to give us a sign the clouds parted and the sun shined down a good omen for our group; the rain clearing as we each brought our stones to the garden. Father McManus and Dean Hull offered words of blessing and reflection before we each placed our stone into the garden alongside those our predecessors left. It was a peaceful moment for us to come together and reflect upon the past week, those we'd met and experiences we'd had; as well as to look forwards the coming week and everything it has to hold.

A short hours drive from Downpatrick after the garden party we all loaded into the people carrier(large van) and headed to Belfast. Dr. Tim took us on a driving tour of the city showing us all Belfast has to offer, imparting historical and local knowledge as only he can. We made a few stops at places like the Titanic exhibit and murals on the buildings and walls, we drove past the walls separating what was traditionally the two religious communities and saw boys building bonfires in preparation for the 12th of July. As we drove around Belfast learning about this cities rich and troubled history from Dr. Tim you could see the marks of the past surrounded by the hope of the future and almost a celebration of the peace this city has enjoyed as two communities work together towards continuing to build a peaceful future for generations to enjoy here in Belfast.

On the east coast of Ireland standing on the banks of the River Lagan is Northern Irelands capital and largest city, Belfast. A major port in the 19th century, Belfast played a major role in the industrial revolution. Already the biggest linen producer in the world, it was granted city status in 1888; Belfast also had a thriving rope-making and tobacco processing business. Probably best known for the Harland and Wolff the shipyard where the RMS Titanic was built, this shipyard was the largest in the world; and Belfast still plays a key role in the aerospace and missiles industry. Northern Irelands capital has come a long way; while suffering greatly during the Troubles, and being known as a dangerous city in the 1970's and 1980's a survey conducted in 2016 ranked Belfast as on of the safest cities in the United Kingdom. Belfast once divided and torn apart by violence has become a calm place, looking to put its history in the past and move towards the future, throughout the 21st century they have been free from intense political violence and benefitted from substantial commercial and economic growth. They remain a centre for industry and are still a major port with both industrial and commercial docks; they boast two airports and are still the economic engine on N. Ireland.

Victoria Square Shopping Centre is a recent addition to Belfast, opening in 2008 it is the biggest and one of the most expensive property developments ever undertaken in N. Ireland. The shopping centre features an iconic "dome" providing one of the best views of the city, and includes over 70 international an local shops, restaurants and a cinema.

No you aren't seeing things and my picture is nice and straight, that's the Albert Memorial Clock in the Queens Square which leans about four feet off perpendicular. This leaning is due to being built on reclaimed land around the River Farset, sitting on wooden piles on marshy land the construction was completed in 1869 after W.J. Barre won a competition to design a memorial to Queen Victoria's late husband Prince Consort, Prince Albert. While some of the ornamental work was removed in the 1920's due to the lean you can still see the Statue of the Prince glad in the robes of the Knights of The Garter and the two tonne bell. In 1992 this clock tower was bombed by the Irish Republican Army, and then in 2002 restoration work was completed to strengthen the wooden base and prevent further leaning. Nearly twenty years after the restoration the clock still "has the time and inclination" as the locals began to say back in the 1920's.

After we were given the complete Dr. Campbell late afternoon tour of Belfast, along with many stops for pictures and stories. Dr. Tim dropped us off at the Crown pub per our request so that we could do a little exploring on our own, with the request that we stay safe and keep an eye on the bus time table! Unfortunately to eat at The Crown on a Saturday night you'd need reservations so we headed off in search of food and ended up at a Chipotle style burrito place. Now as someone from the state with some of the best Mexican food there is I didn't expect much from this tiny little place, however I was pleasantly surprised! Now it could be on account of us all being so hungry but everyone tried different things, tacos, burrito bowls, burritos and we all really enjoyed our meal; there tortilla chips were even delicious. Even though everyone was pretty tired we made a quick check of the bus times and then headed across the street to The Crown to enjoy a pint. Lady luck was with us as we managed to snag a snug to enjoy our drinks in, they say you haven't been to Belfast unless you've enjoyed a drink in a Crown snug.

A snug was traditional a private table, usually with access to the bar that had frosted glass windows or windows above head height so that patrons could enjoy a pint without being seen. Women would often utilize these at a time when drinking in a pub was frowned upon, likewise a police officer or priest might pop in for their nightly whiskey or even lovers for a discreet rendezvous. Typically one might pay more for drinks in a snug however today they are more often enjoyed by tourists or for nostalgia sake.

While enjoying our drinks in the snug I could easily see the draw, the walls blocking out much of the noise of the bar our group was ensconced in our own personal bubble. We took turns heading up to the bar for our drinks and while waiting for my pint of Belfast Black I had a nice chat with the couple at the bar next to me. While Belfast's take on the traditional Irish stout was good with it's coffee tones, the slight hoppy after tastes leaves Guinness in the lead for my favourite pint. A few pictures and our group decided to head back to Downpatrick as we were all quite tired after an eventful day, most even napped on the hour long bus ride back. The bus stopped right across the street from the lane leading to our house so we only had a short weary trudge till we all collapsed into our beds.