Stories of Ireland 2018

Bundoran is a small town in Countyy Donegal on the west coast of Ireland.

During the troubles of the 1960s to late 1990s it was hard to market tourism for a town just 4 miles away from the border of Northern Ireland, where most of the violence was occurring. But tourists are coming now and locals think Bundoran has what it takes remain a tourist destination. Jessi Walker, Kelly Raab and Sydney Sept report.

Surfers of all shapes and sizes are finding a welcoming environment in the cold waters ofIreland’s west coast. Miranda Johnson and Jesse DeFelice report on the rise of the surprising surfing mecca of Bundoran.

Red Hugh O’Donnell was chief of the O’Donnell clan when he built his castle in 1474. Donegal Castle, sometimes called O'Donnell Castle, was built on the ruins of a Viking fortress. When the British took over Ireland, the Brooke Family took over Donegal Castle. The British are gone now. The castle, in ruins for centuries, has been restored. It reflects the British influence and the resilience of Irish culture.

Jesse DeFelice reports.

Protest music has a long history in Ireland and the U.S. The anthems of the US civil rights movement, like We Shall Overcome were embraced by protestors opposed to British rule of Northern Ireland. Meanwhile in the U.S., rap and hip-hop artists sang out against racism and police brutality. David Shuer and Isis Ishino report on two musicians- one living on the west coast of the U.S. and the other living on the west coast of Ireland- who are linked by protest music.

The term life long learner applies to Richard Shipley, the 81-year-old Olympic college student who traveled to Ireland with other students for a second time in 2018. Megan Harry sat down in a noisy bar to find out why he was still taking classes.

The Museum of Free Derry in Derry Northern Ireland tells the story of Sunday Bloody Sunday, when British troops fired on protestors, killing 14. John Kelly is a tour guide at the museum. He also lost a brother on that day. Isis Ishino Amen reports.

After a study tour of Ireland, Bellevue College students Jessi Walker and Isis Ishino-Amen talk about the ways prejudice shaped and still influences Ireland, America and their own lives.

Across the world, women are fighting for the right to safely terminate pregnancies. On May 25th, 69% of Irish voters repealed constitutional ban on abortion in the republic of Ireland. Audrey Bean, Megan Harry and Hannah Judson report on a historic moment in Irish culture.

There is a story that back in the Sixties, Jimi Hendrix was asked what it was like to be the greatest guitarist in the world. Supposedly Hendrix responded, ‘I don’t know, go ask Rory Gallagher.’ Whether that tale is true or not, to this day American and Irish musicians continue to inspire each other. Audrey Bean reports.

The Doagh Famine Village is a tourist attraction in Ireland. It tells the story of Irish life from the Great Famine of the 1840s through until the present day.