The Free Derry Museum

By far, my favorite museum has been the Free Derry Museum. It is technically not in Dublin, the main city of our dialogue, but they had a profound effect on me because it told the story of Bloody Sunday. On this Sunday January 30th, 1972, British troops opened fire on peaceful protesters in the Bogside of Derry in Northern Ireland. A series of internments without trial incited the march of 15,000 people. When British troops erected barricades to block the procession, most people turned and decided to continue the march to another location. However, some continued on and started a riot at the barricade, mostly throwing rocks and bottles against rubber bullets and fire hoses. This riot had ended around 4:00pm, but in another location, five live rounds shot down at protested killed two men. Later on at 4:07pm, the troops were ordered to begin arresting people for internment. As people began to run away, some of the troops began firing live rounds. In the course of a half hour, thirteen unarmed men were killed, with one more dying later due to injury. Another twelve men and two women were injured. Three months later, the British Law Lord found the troops had done nothing wrong. Those affected by Bloody Sunday fought and continue to fight for justice. In 1998, the investigation was reopened and twelve years later, a report was published exposing the truth of that day.
The man working for the museum was John Kelly, the brother of one of the victims, Michael Kelly, who was shot and killed at only 17 years of age. Since his brother’s death, he has been heavily involved in fighting for justice. He is still awaiting the day where the trooper who murdered his brother, Trooper F as named by anonymity granted to the troops involved, can be put on trial and held accountable for the murder of unarmed civilians. The pain and horror of that day was tangible in that museum. I was let in on a story that has come to define this small city, and I am grateful for the time I was able to spend there. I had heard the song ‘Sunday Bloody Sunday’ by U2 before, but the song has now taken on new meaning to me. I have always found history interesting, but this experience was one I will never forget. I am sure my feelings were amplified because of a tour given that took us through the area where these events happened in the not so distant past.
This dialogue has been the experience of a lifetime for me. So far, I have experience three different areas, each a different representation of Irish culture and history. In Dublin, I walked through Trinity college and famous streets, took a hop-on-hop-off bus tour around the city, and visited the Teeling Distillery and Guinness factory. In Gleancholmcille I have explored monastic hiding chambers from the 700s, dolmans created in 2000 or 3000 BC, and visited sites of the pilgrimage for St Cholm Cille who lived in the 500s. These two experiences have been very different from each other as well as my experiences in Derry. The question came up in a discussion today of what is authentic Irish identity. I believe that it doesn’t have to be one form. Everything I have learned so far and will continue to learn in my classes is each a form of Irishness. I am excited to continue to explore the landmarks and museums to continue exploring this amazing country.