Study tour – trains, boats, buses

By: J. David Chapman/June 1, 2017

I am writing this week’s column from the Dublin airport, awaiting a return flight back to the U.S. after nearly a month in London, Belfast and Dublin.

Since last week’s column, the University of Central Oklahoma’s London/Belfast/Dublin Study Tour and Research Extension left London to travel to one of my favorite cities in the world – Belfast, Northern Ireland. To get to Belfast, we had to travel by high-speed train to Holyhead, England. From Holyhead, we boarded a boat to Dublin, Ireland. Once in Dublin, we quickly transitioned to a bus to Belfast. My colleague, friend, and head of the Protective Security and Resilience Research team at Coventry University was born and raised in Belfast, and spent several days with our students and faculty.

Belfast is an intriguing city and a wonderful case study for overcoming a troubled past. In fact, they call the conflict in Northern Ireland “The Troubles,” where over 3,600 people were killed and thousands more injured.

Over the course of three decades, violence on the streets of Northern Ireland was commonplace and spilled over into Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. The goal of the unionist, and overwhelmingly protestant, majority was to remain part of the United Kingdom. The goal of the nationalist and republican, almost exclusively Catholic, minority was to become part of the Republic of Ireland. Several attempts to find a political solution failed until the Good Friday Agreement, which restored self-government to Northern Ireland and brought an end to “The Troubles.” The magnitude of the conflict was observed as we toured the Peace Walls that, even today, segregate the city. Belfast is on the path to recovery and the real estate market shows signs of regeneration.

Upon arrival in Belfast, we were welcomed to the city by the high sheriff, who is appointed by, and represents, the Queen of England. We toured one of the largest waterfront developments in Europe called the Titanic Quarters, where the Titanic was built. This urban redevelopment now houses the famous ship’s museum and exhibit. We also got the opportunity to tour an innovative retail development in the Center Centre called Victoria Square, hike the Giant’s Causeway, and eat fish and chips near the Dunluce Castle, home of the Game of Thrones.

J. David Chapman is an associate professor of finance and real estate at the University of Central Oklahoma (jchapman7@uco.edu).