Submitted by Nicole Salvatore on the 2017 summer session program in Ireland sponsored by the Department of History and the Department of Political Science and International Relations…
In my classes, we are learning about Irish History and its politics. Walking around Ireland’s cities and seeing the old churches and castles has allowed me to physically see its past integrated into its present. However, one of the things that has impressed me the most about Irish History is the way that the Irish people talk about it.
For instance, last Wednesday, our class went on a 1916 Easter Rising tour in Dublin. Our tour guide talked about the history with such passion and pride that it was empowering. It also made me think about all the other tour guides and Irish people that we had encountered over the weeks and I realized that they all talked about it was the same pride that he did; they all lit up when explaining the rich history of this country and it has been so amazing to learn about. I can’t wait for the rest of Ireland!