January 21st, 2013: Fulbright Ireland Joins Fulbright UK in Belfast Inter-changes Event Welcomes New Fulbrighters

The Fulbright Commission of Ireland jointly hosted an orientation event in Belfast for newly arrived Fulbrighters with the US-UK Fulbright Commission.

The official purpose of the visit was to announce the UK Commission’s new Fulbright Award with the Northern Ireland Assembly and Queen’s University Belfast, but a range of other programming took place as well.

The full inter-changes group, including US Fulbrighters and UK and Irish Fulbright Staff

Arriving on a rainy Thursday morning, the three Irish Fulbrighters met with the three new Fulbrighters in Northern Ireland for a tour of the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont and a talk on the devolved government. This was followed by a reception to launch the new Fulbright Award.

Stormont Ceilings

The Fulbrighters then joined Dr. Gordon Gillespie for a tour of Belfast, which wound up at Queen’s University Belfast for a talk with Professor Peter Gray on the history of Belfast.

Belfast Murals

The Fulbrighters were then welcomed by the Northern Ireland Fulbright Chapter at Crumlin Road Gaol for a reception and tour of the newly-opened venue.

Gerry Devenney with a Flag from the Linen Hall Library Collection

On Friday, the group toured the Linen Hall Library, with its unique collection of antique books and posters from the Troubles. This was followed by a tour of Belfast City Hall and a lovely lunch at the historic Crown Bar Liquor Saloon.

US Fulbrighter, Natalia Milovantseva, with her husband, Alexei, at the Linen Hall Library

As the snow was falling in Belfast, the Fulbrighters said goodbye, already looking forward to next year’s event.

Fulbright Group at Belfast City Hall

Left to Right: Alexei Milovantsev, Aostre Johnson, Natalia Milovantseva, Colleen Dube, Anthony Bradley, Joanne Davidson, and Amanda Bernhard