Galway & Dublin: history & culture in ireland

DATES: January 4-17, 2010

COST: $3,755 Airfare is not included.

CREDITS: Earn 3 credits in History 388 or New Century College 395

HOUSING: Hotels

EXCURSIONS: Hill of Tara, Glendalough, the Aran Islands, the Burren, and Connemara.

CONTACT: Erin Mateu (703) 993-3864

Still accepting applications!

Ar mhaith leat Gaeilge a fhoghlaim?  (Would you like to learn Irish?) 

Escape this winter by immersing yourself in the stunning history, culture, and landscapes of Ireland. Whether your interest is in ancient archaeological sites such as famed Hill of Tara (the political epicenter of Irish kingship up until the 6th century AD), the winding streets of an urban medieval past, or the revolutions and rebellions of the past 400 years, the study of Ireland opens up endless possibilities for exploration. 

This program will lead students on a trek across this living history, encapsulated in the country’s cathedrals, Celtic high crosses, ancient tombs, rocky coastlines, boggy lowlands, and magnificent castles.  We start in Galway, Ireland’s unofficial capital of its Irish-speaking west.  Students will have the opportunity to learn a few basics in Irish while embarking on trips to the nearby Aran Islands, the Cliffs of Moher, and Connemara.  This area offers some of the most dramatic views in the country, from the splendor of the mountainous Twelve Pins to the deep valleys of Leenane (site of Ireland’s only fjord!). 

From Galway, we head to Dublin, the vibrant and modern city portrayed in the recent Oscar-winning film Once.  Famous for a literary past that includes the likes of James Joyce and William Butler Yeats, Dublin is equally well known for its role in the 1916 Easter Uprising and subsequent war for Irish independence.  Sign up for two weeks of unforgettable study of Ireland’s unique history and culture.     

Faculty Director
Dr. Nicholas Wolf received his PhD in Irish history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2008, and completed his MA (2000) and BA (1999) at the College of William and Mary.  His scholarly interests are in the cultural history of Ireland in the 19th century, particularly its linguistic and religious past.  Dr. Wolf has lived and traveled extensively in Ireland, where he learned the Irish language through intensive study, and has taught a number of courses on Irish rebellion, nationalism, and culture.

*CGE reserves the right to make changes to a program in light of currency fluctuations, changing security and safety conditions, or any other unforeseen circumstances.