2008 Irish Way / July 6 - August 1, 2008


HOST LOCATIONS
 

 

Newtown Boarding School, Waterford

Newtown School was founded in 1798 by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). The seventeen acre campus, located in Waterford City, features comfortable living accomodations and first-rate sports facilities.


 

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King's Hospital, Dublin

One of the oldest boarding schools in Ireland, The King’s Hospital was founded in 1669 as the Hospital and Free School of King Charles ll and was based in Dublin’s Queen Street for its first century before moving in 1783 to the noted Georgian building in Blackhall Place, which now houses the Incorporated Law Society. The school moved to its current site on the banks of the Liffey River in 1970.

 

 

Gort na Coiribe, Galway

Gort na Coiribe is a new development of apartments and townhouses, situated in the centre of Galway only a short distance from Eyre Square. Gort na Coiribe has been purposely built for students of National University of Ireland, Galway.  

 

 


 Gleneagle Hotel and Apartments, Killarney

Gleneagle Apartments are luxury apartments perfectly situated for easy touring in Killarney.  The Irish Way students will be able to visit the sites of Killarney.  Amongst the best of these are Lough Leane, Aghadoe, Muckross Abey, the Gap of Dunloe, the Dunloe Ogham Stones, Torc Waterfall, the 7th Century Monastic settlements of Inisfallen and the Bronze Age Copper Mines at Ross Island.

 

 




SAMPLE IRISH WAY FIELD TRIPS

Gaiety Theatre - Riverdance. Students will experience an evening performance at one of Europe's leading theatres.  Since its opening in November 1871, the Gaiety Theatre has remained true to the vision of its founders in presenting the highest quality musical and dramatic entertainment. As Dublin’s longest-established theatre in continuous production, the Gaiety triumphantly maintains its unrivalled presence as the city’s premier venue for popular musical shows, opera, ballet, dance and drama.  Riverdance:  Of all the performances to emerge from Ireland in the past decade - in rock, music, theatre and film - nothing has carried the energy, the sensuality and the spectacle of Riverdance.

Kilmainham JailKilmainham Jail - Since it's construction in 1795, this Dublin city jail has been host to some of Ireland's most heroic and tragic events.  Most notably, the jail was the site of the execution of leaders of the 1916 Easter Rebellion.  Among its most famous inmates were Robert Emmet, Charles Steward, Countess Markievicz, Charles Parnell, and Eamon de Valera.

Newgrange - One of Ireland's most important archeological sites, the Megalithic Passage Tomb at Newgrange was built about 3200 B.C.  The kidney shaped mound covers an area of over one acre and is surrounded by 97 kerbstones, some of which are richly decorated with megalithic art. The passage and chamber of Newgrange are illuminated each year by the winter solstice sunrise.

Glendalough


Glendalough - The English name Glendalough comes from the Irish Gleann Dá Locha which translates to "The valley of the two lakes".  It was here that St. Kevin founded a monastery in the sixth century.  From this beginning the site grew to become famous as a centre of learning throughout Europe. Indeed, Ireland was known as the "Island of Saints and Scholars".  The settlement continued to expand for 600 years and was destroyed in 1398. The buildings which survive date from the 8th and 12th centuries.

Croke Park - Hurling Match - The ancient Gaelic game of hurling (imagine a cross between hockey & rugby) is Ireland's national sport.  Students will enjoy the pagentry, action, and excitement of a hurling match at one of Europe's finest stadiums and Ireland's grandest, Croke Park in Dublin. 

Irish Wayers at Kylemore AbbeyKylemore Abbey - Kylemore Abbey, one of Ireland's most picturesque landmarks, is the only Irish home of the Benedictine Nuns. Built originally as a Castle (1868) it is one of the best examples of Irish neo-gothic architecture, the estate features include a Victorian Walled Garden, the restored Abbey reception rooms, Gothic Church, and breathtaking walks through the grounds.

Waterford - Waterford Crystal is world-renowned and a symbol of Irish craftmanship.  During a visit to Waterford City, students will tour the world famous Waterford Crystal factory and see artisan glass-blowers at work.  

Blarney Castle

 

Blarney Castle - Arguably Ireland's best known landmark, the Blarney Castle was originally a timber hunting lodge built in the 10th century, which was replaced by a stone castle in 1210.   The present day construction was completed by Dermot McCarthy, King of Munster in 1446. The Castle was the ancestral stronghold of the McCarthy family.  Students can try their luck with the "gift of gab" and kiss the Blarney Stone.
 
 

 

CURRICULUM

History

  • Pre-Celtic Ireland (c. 2500 BC)

  • Preparation and field trip to Newgrange passage grave.

  • Early Christian Ireland to the Vikings (c. 458-900)

  • The Normans and Ireland (c. 1200-1400)

  • Daniel O'Connell and Catholic Emancipation

  • The English and the Anglo Irish in Ireland

  • The Famine and Emigration (c. 1850)

  • From Rising to Independence (c. 1916-1922)

Irish American History

  • Ulster Men and Women Emigrate to Colonies (c. 1750)

  • The Famine and Mass Emigration (c. 1860-1900)

  • The Irish and the Towns: New York, Boston, Stamford, Chicago.

  • "From Shanty to Lace Curtains"

  • The Contributions the Irish made to the United States

  • Famous Irish men and women

Literature

  • Oscar Wilde

  • W. B. Yeats

  • James Joyce

  • J.M. Synge

  • Frank O'Connor

  • Liam O'Flaherty

  • Paul Durcan

  • Seamus Heaney