Rory in Ireland: Episode 2

Video by Ian Wittenber. In the second installment of “Rory in Ireland,” CrossFit Games host Rory McKernan learns more about the country’s deep history as he tours Dublin and travels to Belfast. In Belfast, McKernan’s guide on the walking tour educates him about The Troubles, the 30-year ethno-nationalist conflict in Northern Ireland that took place in the late 20th century. When McKernan visits a wall that once separated two of the city’s neighborhoods to prevent violence, he stops to write a message of peace and love. McKernan later visits Reebok CrossFit Northern Ireland, where he partakes in “probably one of the most fun warm-ups that I’ve ever done in my life,” involving burpee penalties and groups of athletes who run in circles holding hands. He’s struck by the camaraderie among the box’s members. “One of the coolest things about going to Reebok CrossFit Northern Ireland was the fact that we had gotten this kind of doom-and-gloom story earlier in the day,” McKernan says. “And while (it) was definitely implied that it was getting better, it was also still very explicit that … people were still torn apart down the lines of Protestant and Catholic.” However, after explaining that the gym is located in a very Protestant area, affiliate owner and head coach Andy Gausden introduces McKernan to a mix of Protestants and Catholics who are high-fiving, chest bumping and sweating together in class. Despite their differences, everyone is clearly a part of the same community. “It’s beautiful,” McKernan says. The CrossFit Journal -- (http://journal.crossfit.com) The CrossFit Games® - The Sport of Fitness™ The Fittest On Earth™