Summer Learning in Ireland Offers Life Lessons on Unity, Conflict Resolution

By Magdelyn Hammond Helwig, Director of Writing Programs, and James Engelhardt, Lecturer in English

As our region recovers from the devastating impact of hurricane Helene, pausing to reflect on the power of community is instructive. The acts of kindness and generosity, both small and large, of our family, friends, and neighbors have sustained us through the initial shock left in the wake of unprecedented destruction, and our collective efforts to restore our communities will continue to sustain us over the weeks and months to come. With that in mind, we hope you find comfort in the story below of the transformative nature of human connection. 

This summer the Cothran Center gave 14 faculty the gift of traveling together, alongside intrepid group leaders Claire Whitlinger & Nathan Cook and Cothran Center directors John Harris & Liz Smith, to Northern Ireland to learn about conflict resolution. In addition to spending time in Dublin, Belfast, and Derry, where we gained insights into the long history of “The Troubles” in Northern Ireland, we spent five intense days at Corrymeela, a community focused on cultivating peace and reconciliation. Our group interacted with academics, poets, artists, activists, and—most importantly—each other to better understand how we can lead with respect in order to bridge divides.  

Amidst the overwhelming beauty of the northern coast, we practiced asking difficult questions, shared our stories, and learned to listen with our whole selves. On most nights we had a small group of us playing card games in the Corrymeela commons area. It was a different group every night, but we learned a lot about the ways we can be generous with each other even when competing for the best flea circus. Though we spent most of our time together, there was still time for sneaking off to soak in the local culture. Two of us were able to track down a pub where W.B. Yeats used to hang out and settle into a snug (like a small room) near the front to listen to locals while reveling in this connection to one of the great literary figures of the last century. On another memorable night, a group of us shared pints together in a local pub while listening to community musicians play traditional Irish music.  

While we did not learn any magic spells for healing long simmering conflict, we did discover how valuable just being together is for finding peace and reconciliation. Living and playing together, celebrating our individuality and our commonalities, crying and laughing with each other, breaking bread together—these experiences were priceless reminders of our shared mission at Furman to foster thriving communities and support lifelong learning. Go raibh maith agat (thank you), friends!