Andrew Young (History Teacher) always gives a clear and concise introduction to the political conflict in Northern Ireland. The group of 30 students and 4 staff arrived outside Stormount Castle, Belfast at 0830 on a Friday morning and Andrew begins:
“Northern Ireland has been for many years the site of a violent and bitter ethno-political conflict between those claiming to represent Nationalists (who are predominantly Catholic and want it to be unified with the Republic of Ireland) and those claiming to represent Unionists (who are predominantly Protestant and want it to remain part of the United Kingdom). Unionists are in the majority in Northern Ireland. The majority of both sides of the community have had no actual association with the violent campaigns waged, and most have not supported the violent representatives of their respective communities. Since the signing of the Belfast Agreement in 1998, many of the major paramilitary campaigns have either been on ceasefire or have declared their "war" to be over”.
Students at St. Clare's can choose to become a member of the International Affairs group which meets every Monday during the academic year. As the name implies this group discusses a wide range of political, social and economic affairs from aroud the world. Rory Kelly has been teaching International Affairs for a number of years and has accompanied St. Clare's students to Northern Ireland, Krakow and Prague . These excursions have proved an invaluable learning tool to emphasise what the students discuss in the Monday meetings.
The trip to Northern Ireland takes place in the autumn term (usually the weekend of Week 10). On average thirty students and four members of staff depart St. Clare's by minibus at 0430 on Friday morning en route to Birmingham airport for the short flight to George Best International airport in Belfast.
On Friday we discuss the ‘political landscape' of Belfast using important landscapes such as Stormont Castle (home of the Northern Ireland Assembly). We also conduct a bus tour though the mainly Nationalist area, the Falls Road, and the Unionist area, the Shankill road. Rory and Andrew explain the tensions, the results and the future for both communities in Belfast. The divided community in Belfast is clearly illustrated in the wall murals associated with each community. Northern Ireland contains arguably the most famous political murals. Almost 2,000 murals have been documented in Northern Ireland since the 1970s. Although the murals more often than not represent one side's political point of view, they are renowned for their professional nature and the notable level of skill of the artists creating them.
On Saturday we discuss the geographical and economical landscape outside Belfast by touring the famous North Antrim coast road. Our coach driver gives us a wonderful introduction into the Northern Ireland of the 21 st century. We visit the Giant's Causeway and Dunluce castle.

Map showing Northern Ireland	The Northern Ireland Assembly, Stormont Castle, Belfast
Tour leaders, Kevin Hennessy, Andrew Young, Meg Claringbold outside the Sinn Fein Headquarters in Belfast	Rory Kelly and Andrew Young with students at the Giant's Causeway