Frederick Douglass - Daniel O'Connell Global Interns Visit Cork and Belfast
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The goal of the Frederick Douglass - Daniel O'Connell Global Internship is to honor the legacies of these two champions in the fight for global justice, by giving outstanding students from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to hone their career-ready skills and develop a deeper understanding of Irish history and culture. During their eight weeks in Ireland, the Global Interns didn't just intern with a host organization that aligned with their skills and career goals, they also attend lectures on Irish history and culture, participated in extracurricular and networking activities in Dublin, and traveled to Cork and Belfast.
In Cork, the Global Interns followed in the footsteps of Frederick Douglass and Daniel O'Connell in Cork City this weekend with a walking tour led by Dr Danielle O'Donnell. They took a private tour of University College Cork, attended a half day workshop with the Cork Migrant Center at Nano Nagle Place, and visited Blarney Castle.
The adventure in Belfast began with the students’ visit to the US Consulate General and the historic Danesfort House, where they met with Peter McKittrick, a Specialist with the U.S. Department of State, who provided insights and inspiration about public policy and leadership for the students.
The next day, they visited the Frederick Douglass monument, a poignant statue made in tribute to the legacy of the great abolitionist, who traveled to Ireland in 1845. (The 2023 Frederick Douglass Global Fellows were honored to be at the unveiling of the monument last summer.)
The Global Interns exploration of Belfast continued in the afternoon with a Black Cab Tour of West Belfast, which offered a deep dive into the city's history and culture, narrated by “cabbies” who lived through many historic events in Belfast themselves and shared their memories with the students.
The group wrapped their weekend in Belfast by exploring the lively St. George’s Market, immersing themselves in local Irish flavors and crafts before heading their bus to return to Dublin.