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.

Stories of Ireland 2018

Why Bundoran, Ireland is a Tourist Mecca

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.

Surfing in Ireland

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.

The Perseverance of Irish Culture at Donegal Castle by Jesse DeFelice

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.

Protest Music in the US and in Ireland by David Shuer and Isis Ishino-Amen

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.

Richard Shipley by Megan Harry

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.

John Kelly Museum of Free Derry by Isis Ishino-Amen

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.

Thoughts on Styles of Prejudice in America and Ireland - Isis Ishino-Amen and Jessi Walker

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.

Ireland's Repeal of the 8th Amendment by Audrey Bean, Megan Harry, Hannah Judson

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.

Irish Musicians Find Inspiration At Home and Abroad by Audrey Bean

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.

Doagh Famine Village by Sydney Sept

When the English ruled Ireland, Catholicism was outlawed. Catholics had to find secret places where they could worship. Miranda Johnson reports from a site where priests performed mass by a rushing river.

Irish Catholic Secret Worship Sites by Miranda Johnson

Drag culture is taking to the stage in Ireland in a way it never has before, thanks in part to Ru Paul's American television show. Hannah Judson reports on a new sense of acceptance among the performers.

Drag in Ireland by Hannah Judson

Castle Donegal, in Donegal Town in Western Ireland stood in ruins until the 1990's. Restored now, it remains a potent symbol of Irelands political history and relationship with the United Kingdom. Bellevue College Student Jessi Walker reports.

Castle Donegal, reported by Jessi Walker

Northern Ireland and Ireland are separated by a long border that has been open since the signing of the 1998 Peace Accord that ended the violence of "The Troubles." When the United Kingdom leaves the European Union, will the open border close? Kaddy Jabbi reports.

Brexit and Borders by Kaddy Jabbi

Almost wherever you travel, you’re likely to come across an Irish pub. There are upwards of 8,500 of them in 152 countries around the world. Their motif is often the same: dark wood paneling, Irish memorabilia on the walls, music, sports on TV, raucous conversation, and of course Guinness on tap. Irish pubs proliferated beyond Ireland in the 1980’s and 90’s when Guinness set up a consulting firm called Irish Pub Concept, which helped start thousands of Irish themed pubs around the world. Tim Jones, professor of Political Science at Bellevue College near Seattle Washington, takes us to a very different kind of Irish pub on the Wild West Coast of Ireland.

Brennan's Criterion, A Different Kind of Irish Pub on the Wild West Coast of Ireland by Tim Jones

Bellevue College students traveled to Ireland to study civil rights. We are telling stories about the people we met and the issues they care about.

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Stories of Ireland 2018

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