Students have the chance to unearth a culture of rich history, rolling hills and delicious cuisine. A group of ten students and faculty will travel through Dublin, Galway, Belfast and the Aran Islands from May 12 to 26 next year.
The students who go can either enroll in CW104 “Travel Writing – Ireland in Text and Context” for four credits, or complete a signature learning experience. Students will draft pieces about their travel experiences when they return. Both options allow exploration and appreciation of the culture. Any major or class year may apply for this trip.
An interest meeting for the trip was held on Wednesday, and another one will be held on Sept. 23. The trip is focused on music, dance, culture, history and Ireland’s natural beauty. Students can enjoy all of this while traveling with fellow students and creating new bonds.
This is the first trip to Ireland held in two years. Back in 2024, Dr. Tara Moore teamed up with Dr. Katherine Hughes, the faculty member who started the program, to bring 20 students to Ireland. Hughes was eager to share all the information she knew about Ireland to these students. Moore is now excited to be able to introduce this to a new group of travelers.
The trip is cut into three portions. The first part will take place in Dublin. Starting here, travelers will spend time getting used to the time change. After this, they will tour throughout the city and learn some folklore of the country. Ending this portion of the trip will involve visiting the Guinness Storehouse, which Moore said, “[is] always a hit.” It lets people tour seven floors of the brewery, showing the behind the scenes of the famous drink.
Concluding their days spent in Dublin, travelers will take a bus to Galway.
“[Galway is] where Irish is more commonly spoken. Galway has a more relaxed city culture and sits right on the ocean,” said Moore.
This allows students to immerse themselves even more in the culture. The activities here include an Irish dance show, a choice of either a daytrip to Kylemore Abbey or Cliffs of Moher and a trip to the Inis Mór island. Sights to see on the island include ancient stone walls and a rural part of the country.
Students always enjoy seeing an ancient stone fort named Dún Aonghasa, the sheep and donkeys and ocean views of the island. A free day spent in Inis Mor ends this part of the trip.
In the final segment, travelers return to the city of Dublin. They will learn about the Great Hunger, an infamous famine that affected Ireland, caused by blight-infected potato crops.
They also have a plethora of choices for different daytrips in the city. Two new ones include trips to County Wicklow and Belfast and the Giant’s Causeway because of how much previous travelers loved it.
Finally, students have a free day, and they can visit different parts of the city like the Book of Kells or the Irish Rock ‘n Roll Museum.
Having the opportunity to travel into a foreign country and surround oneself in another culture has many learning opportunities. It not only teaches the traversal of giant cities and international situations, but also self-confidence in traveling skills. The best way to gain these skills is by doing, and this trip to Ireland allows for exactly that.
According to Moore, trips like these create lifelong travelers.
“I often hear students name all the places they want to go next at the end of our trips. It opens the world up for them, which is wonderful to see.” Moore said.
Some students may not know if they like to travel unless they’re able to do it, and the ability to go to Ireland through Etown removes some of the struggles that would be present otherwise. It helps broaden their perspective, build connections and inspire love of travel.
