Coffee & Tea
Most people who know me also know that I enjoy good quality coffee. While I have found a few good coffee shops, including one Starbucks in Belfast, this is not a coffee culture like on the west coast of Canada and the US Pacific Northwest. I have yet to find good quality coffee in any supermarket here, which is one of the reasons why I brought a pound of fair trade dark roast coffee with me. This package of coffee has been looked at longingly by one of the Americans here. I got to the bottom of the bag this morning and thankfully had some Starbucks as a replacements.
One of the other intriguing things about coffee brewing here is that a pot may be brewed in the morning and then sit in the pot over a heated burner for several hours. Not appealing! That's one reason why I also brought my own French press coffee tumbler with me.
I must admit that I drink a lot more tea here than at home. In fact, I'd say that I have more tea in the past six weeks here than during the last year at home. The tea culture is great because it is something that truly brings people together for conversations and people always seem to make time for a cup of tea.
Corrymeela Monthly All-site Meetings
One of the highlights for me is a monthly meeting when all of the staff and volunteers gather for a meeting led by the centre director. It's a time of sharing information, announcements, introducing new volunteers on site and a bit of fun. At the last meeting, we concluded with everyone doing the Hokey Pokey! Lots of fun.
Canada from an Irish Perspective
Quite regularly, I get asked what part of America I am from. Once I set the record straight that I am from Canada, there's a quick apologize and then great praise. Canada is generally looked at very positively by the Irish as well as the volunteers from various countries.While I am not a flag waving Canada nationalist, I must admit that it is a good feeling to hear these positive comments. At the same time, people are increasingly aware that Canada is getting tougher on its immigration policies and that we do not have a good track record on environmental protection. The big appeal for most of the Irish seems to be the peacefully society we have in Canada compared to their experience.
Compared to the history of conflict and its associated legacy in Northern Ireland, we have much to be proud of in Canada. At the same time, however, there is a lot of work to be done on environmental protection front at home and in places where Canadian resource companies work, on matters of social justice and an array of aboriginal/First Nations matters.
Flag Issue in Belfast
If you have followed any news from Northern Ireland over the past few months, you have most likely hear about the protests in Belfast related to the Union Jack flag. A few months ago, city council in Belfast decided to significantly reduce the number of days per year that the Union Jack would fly from city hall (from 365 to 18 days). This decision immediately evoked an outcry from the loyalist segment accompanied by many violent demonstrations such as fire bombs, property damage and attacks on police. One of the loyalist arguments is that the flag flying decision poses a threat to Northern Ireland remaining part of the United Kingdom. As one would expect, these protests have received a great deal of media attention at home and abroad.
There seems to be a great deal of consensus that these protests are being instigated by loyalist para-military groups. There has also been much speculation that the protests have more to do with distracting the police from their normal duties than about the change in the flag. A few weeks ago, a local Belfast newspaper printed the pictures (captured by CCTV) of several people involved in the protests, asking the public's help in identifying the the purported rioters. The move of using pictures captured by CCTV is similar to what happened in Vancouver following the Stanley Cup riot of two years ago. I haven't heard if there's been any success to finding and charging these people.
A recent poll by the BBC indicates that support is greater for the Union Jack to fly 18 days/year than 365 days - 44 % vs. 35 %. Another 10 % feel the Union Jack should never fly at city hall. Despite the divided opinion on the flag issue, there is solid support for remaining part of the UK vs. independence (65 % vs. 17 %). However, support for remaining part of the UK is much higher among Protestants (90 %) than Catholics (38 %). While the flag issue has not devolved into sectarian violence, religion continues to be strongly linked to opinions on political and social issues in Northern Ireland.
While not a scientific measure of public sentiment, all the people I have talked to about the flag issue simply want the protests to go away.
Corrymeela Work
Recently, I have had the opportunity to be part of the facilitation team for two large groups (separate adult and teen groups) that have been involved with a program designed to bring people together from communities near the border in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. It was incredibly interesting to hear people talk about the sharing of their stories, commonalities, differences and experiences. Helping build bridges across the borders is one good example of the initiatives that Corrymeela supports and to which it can make an important contribution. These sessions are a greater reminder of the importance of dialogue and communication in building understanding and contributing to the peace process.
Most people who know me also know that I enjoy good quality coffee. While I have found a few good coffee shops, including one Starbucks in Belfast, this is not a coffee culture like on the west coast of Canada and the US Pacific Northwest. I have yet to find good quality coffee in any supermarket here, which is one of the reasons why I brought a pound of fair trade dark roast coffee with me. This package of coffee has been looked at longingly by one of the Americans here. I got to the bottom of the bag this morning and thankfully had some Starbucks as a replacements.
One of the other intriguing things about coffee brewing here is that a pot may be brewed in the morning and then sit in the pot over a heated burner for several hours. Not appealing! That's one reason why I also brought my own French press coffee tumbler with me.
I must admit that I drink a lot more tea here than at home. In fact, I'd say that I have more tea in the past six weeks here than during the last year at home. The tea culture is great because it is something that truly brings people together for conversations and people always seem to make time for a cup of tea.
Corrymeela Monthly All-site Meetings
One of the highlights for me is a monthly meeting when all of the staff and volunteers gather for a meeting led by the centre director. It's a time of sharing information, announcements, introducing new volunteers on site and a bit of fun. At the last meeting, we concluded with everyone doing the Hokey Pokey! Lots of fun.
Canada from an Irish Perspective
Quite regularly, I get asked what part of America I am from. Once I set the record straight that I am from Canada, there's a quick apologize and then great praise. Canada is generally looked at very positively by the Irish as well as the volunteers from various countries.While I am not a flag waving Canada nationalist, I must admit that it is a good feeling to hear these positive comments. At the same time, people are increasingly aware that Canada is getting tougher on its immigration policies and that we do not have a good track record on environmental protection. The big appeal for most of the Irish seems to be the peacefully society we have in Canada compared to their experience.
Compared to the history of conflict and its associated legacy in Northern Ireland, we have much to be proud of in Canada. At the same time, however, there is a lot of work to be done on environmental protection front at home and in places where Canadian resource companies work, on matters of social justice and an array of aboriginal/First Nations matters.
Flag Issue in Belfast
If you have followed any news from Northern Ireland over the past few months, you have most likely hear about the protests in Belfast related to the Union Jack flag. A few months ago, city council in Belfast decided to significantly reduce the number of days per year that the Union Jack would fly from city hall (from 365 to 18 days). This decision immediately evoked an outcry from the loyalist segment accompanied by many violent demonstrations such as fire bombs, property damage and attacks on police. One of the loyalist arguments is that the flag flying decision poses a threat to Northern Ireland remaining part of the United Kingdom. As one would expect, these protests have received a great deal of media attention at home and abroad.
There seems to be a great deal of consensus that these protests are being instigated by loyalist para-military groups. There has also been much speculation that the protests have more to do with distracting the police from their normal duties than about the change in the flag. A few weeks ago, a local Belfast newspaper printed the pictures (captured by CCTV) of several people involved in the protests, asking the public's help in identifying the the purported rioters. The move of using pictures captured by CCTV is similar to what happened in Vancouver following the Stanley Cup riot of two years ago. I haven't heard if there's been any success to finding and charging these people.
A recent poll by the BBC indicates that support is greater for the Union Jack to fly 18 days/year than 365 days - 44 % vs. 35 %. Another 10 % feel the Union Jack should never fly at city hall. Despite the divided opinion on the flag issue, there is solid support for remaining part of the UK vs. independence (65 % vs. 17 %). However, support for remaining part of the UK is much higher among Protestants (90 %) than Catholics (38 %). While the flag issue has not devolved into sectarian violence, religion continues to be strongly linked to opinions on political and social issues in Northern Ireland.
While not a scientific measure of public sentiment, all the people I have talked to about the flag issue simply want the protests to go away.
Corrymeela Work
Recently, I have had the opportunity to be part of the facilitation team for two large groups (separate adult and teen groups) that have been involved with a program designed to bring people together from communities near the border in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. It was incredibly interesting to hear people talk about the sharing of their stories, commonalities, differences and experiences. Helping build bridges across the borders is one good example of the initiatives that Corrymeela supports and to which it can make an important contribution. These sessions are a greater reminder of the importance of dialogue and communication in building understanding and contributing to the peace process.
The newest building at Corrymeela - Davey Village
Named after Ray Davey the founder
A recent sunset at Corrymeela
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