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Literary Ireland Itinerary - 23-30 June, 2009 |
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This course is designed to meet the needs of each professional
in the field of education. Past participants have included superintendents,
classroom teachers, nurses, social workers, and EC paraprofessionals,
as well as art, music, and PE teachers.
MEASURABLE OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this class, participants are expected to be able to:
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Course Description:
23-30 June, 2009 Literary Ireland Itinerary
DAY 1
23 June
Tuesday: Departure, Transatlantic overnight flights
from USA to Dublin, Ireland
DAY 2
24 June Wednesday:
Wednesday: Morning Arrivals in Dublin Airport; meet the group
for ground transportation departing from the airport at 9:30 AM. Our
day begins with Obj. 2, as we attend the Castledaly Elementary School
near Moate in CO. Westmeath. The children love to perform for us reciting
poetry, playing their tin whistles, showing us their games of Gaelic
football and hurling, and their day to day course materials and activities,
many in Irish. The best portion of our visit is the Q&A session,
where the questions, as well as the answers will enchant you, and make
you realize children are children no matter what country you may visit.
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Meeting the Lord Mayor at his inauguration party in
Moate, CO. Westmeath.
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Teachers will have an opportunity to meet and discuss educational concerns
with the Irish faculty and administration
We’ll break for lunch, and then continue with Obj.2 and begin Obj. 3 at Clonmachnoise, CO. Offaly. Clonmachnoise is the site of Ireland’s first university established by St. Ciaran. You will have an opportunity to view the audio presentation, and enjoy the guided tour of the original high crosses, and also the museum while taking in the views of the River Shannon through the Round Tower settings framing one of the most famous sites of Ireland. It it’s day, it was the main crossroads of Ireland, with the access from the River Shannon, and the esker of the surrounding landscape!
Our first day of class ends at Kilkenney West Church, “the decent
church at the top of the hill” (Goldsmith) a frame of a structure
with the haunting feeling of Oliver Goldsmith’s presence. The
Vicar of Wakefield, and the themes of She Stoops
to Conquer, as well as The Traveler, helps
us to understand the basis of the class- Tolerance & Diversity.
These works come alive as we traverse the grounds of Goldsmith’s
Sweet Auburn. Although Kilkenny West Church is in ruins, you’ll
appreciate the form and get a true feel for the old world and Goldsmith’s
family history deeply set in the Anglican Church, yet full of the Irish
family pastoral tradition and value.
You will happily meet your hosts at Glasson Golf and Country Club, located in the Village of the Roses, Glasson, CO Westmeath. This is a four star hotel and conference center with service to meet every need. www.glassongolf.ie
DAY 3
25 June Thursday:
Our day begins early with a 7:30 Breakfast (quite delicious,
I may add) in the Glasson Country Club Dining Room overlooking the beautiful
Lough Rea. Your pre-assigned journal entries on your school’s
tolerance & diversity climate are due this morning. Obj. 1 is our
primary focus of the day’s journey, but we will highlight Obj.
3 as well. Our field trip begins with the 8:30 Departure to Galway.
On the way, we’ll pass through some of the most beautiful scenery
in Ireland progressing from the green farmlands of the Midlands, through
the famine fields marked by the stone fences, to the burren countryside,
and finally arriving at Galway Bay. The ride will be enhanced by lecture
regarding Ireland’s history and struggle for independence. Obj.
1
Prior to our arrival in Galway, we will visit the Celtic Crystal Factory. A woman by the name of Mary Munnelly, a former art professor, established her own crystal factory using her designs adapted from the Irish culture…the Book of Kells, the Cladagh, the themes of Irish connections. All are impressed with the award winning crystal, and the tour of the factory where it is cut on site; yet another example of Obj. 3 in cultural preservation.
Galway, known as the City of Tribes, and home of the Cladagh Ring, severs as our base for the remainder of the day. You will have ample time to explore the city.
This is our day to experience the culture of Ireland. We’ll travel through the rough Connemarra Coast through the WEST of Ireland with the stone fences of famine days, and flocks of sheep, synonymous to what we know of Ireland as a post card or calendar scenes! On clear days one is able to see the Aran islands off the coast of CO Galway.
Noon Arrival Galway Bay, City of Tribes! Listen for Irish spoken in conversation!
Your visit to the capital city of Connacht, will be filled with options to see: Nora Barnacle’s House (James Joyce’s wife), Lynch’s Castle (where the mayor was forced to hang his own son), medieval city wall, Cladagh Museum (where the Cladagh ring originated), King’s Head Pub (great historic pub not to be missed, and also has fantastic fish and chips) Eire Square (JFK’s famous speech was give here), and of course shop after shop on High and Shop Streets for those “must have” souvenirs to take home to friends and family.
Formal class tonight will involve review of Tolerance & Diversity Articles sent to you prior to departure. This will take place at the Glasson Golf and CC, our final night in the Midlands.
If you’re not too tired, we’ll venture to The 3 Jolly Pigeon’s Pub not far from Glasson which is sited in She Stoops to Conquer. We’ll hear Professor Seamus McCormick recite Tony Lumpkin’s song from the drama we’ve studied. Seamus is the proprietor of the pub, but is only there for the summers, as he is a lecturer in economics during the school term. It is a fine way to see a rural pub still in operation with many locals to meet and share common ground.
DAY 4
26 June Friday:
Early Breakfast and Check-Out of Glasson Golf and Country Club
is the start of our exciting day heading to the highlight of the field
trip to Strokestown Park House, Gardens, and Famine Museum. This is
a day you will recall for many years to come, as it encompasses the
human condition in the fight for survival. You will be impressed to
see how each Obj. in our course is identified through the lecture, the
house visit, and the garden’s importance of the Victorian Era.
More so, you will understand the plight of the Irish in a hands-on museum
depicting 7 aspects of the famine each in its own room. Your guided
tour takes you through the years of social injustice and civil unrest.
To continue with Obj. 3 we will visit the Clay Pipe Factory. Amazingly, Ethel Kelley has been able to establish her factory on the original site of the factory from about 100 years ago. Ethel will wow you with her artistic ability and her formidable journey to re-create the clay pipe factory which once stood in the very place of her new home. She is also responsible for bringing Ogham writing back to the Irish culture. You will see her works now all over Ireland, and at various Irish festivals in the USA. You would think that Ethel was a trained teacher with her impressive presentation. She is such a humble and kind person, all are truly taken with her commitment to Irish culture and education of ancient arts and communication.
Our journey continues with the drive back to Dublin with a lecture on the Literary Renaissance, with a side lecture on the educational system of Ireland (for we as American teachers have much to glean), and finally Check-In at the Eliza Lodge in the heart of Temple Bar. This area is the “hot spot” for tourists, as it has the accessibility for ease in obtaining meals, walking distance to the majority of significant sites, and safety in numbers. You are now a part of the capital of the Republic of Ireland. www.dublinlodge.com
I will have your journal entries returned to you with comments and suggestions today.
DAY 5
27 June Saturday:
A busy Saturday begins with a 7 AM Breakfast in the Eliza Blues
Restaurant overlooking the new Millennium Bridge. We will discuss the
presentations and the group project assignments. Our field trip of the
day involves a historic walking tour of Dublin beginning with crossing
the H’Penny Bridge with lecture on the Uprising, and Irish Literary
Renaissance, and continues with a guided visit to Trinity College and
the Long Room, and the Book of Kells. Each Obj. 1-4 will be addressed
in today’s outing.
Each section of Literary Ireland has had a drama presentation segment at either the National Theatre of Ireland, or one of the other major theatres in the city centre. Over the years this has been fine, until last summer, when I ran into the theme of the production not meeting our class goals. Consequently, I have now offered the theatre production as an OPTION. See Options at the end of the itinerary for your input.
Your final journal entry is due tonight. You may either give it to me prior to the theatre or leave at the front desk, and I’ll collect it in the morning.
DAY 6
28 June Sunday:
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"Constance Markievicz Memorial Statue" |
Dublin offers much in the line of options for enrichment. I have left this day open for you to explore the city and its sites/venues which most pertain to your area of expertise. (I will be evaluating and commenting on your journal assignments, and certainly available for you at any time during the day) I will be most happy to review these options for you which may include:
St. Patrick’s Cathedral (National Cathedral), Christ Church (Dublin City’s Cathedral), National Gallery, Museum of Natural History, Chester Beatty Museum, Writer’s Museum, Memorial Park with tribute to the patriots of the rising, Guinness Store House, Viking Dublin, Clarence House Hotel (owned by U2), Gresham Hotel (site of the uprising), General Post Office, St. Stephen’s Green (both sites of stronghold during the Uprising) Viewing the movie on Dublin’s origins at Trinity College, Tracing Leopold Bloom’s steps from Ulysses, , or visiting historic Kilmainham Gaol (one of the best tours in Dublin). End the day with shopping on Grafton St, or grab a photo with Molly Malone
Please Note: Your presentations are due this evening. TBA
DAY 7
29 June Monday:
No trip to Ireland would be complete without you being able to
select a destination to visit with personal meaning! Part of Obj. 4’s
goal is for you to be able to synthesize this exploration and develop/enhance
your curricular endeavors in your professional assignment. This day
has been set aside for your personal choice, whether it is to continue
your discovery of Dublin, or your wish to venture to another city. Public
transportation from Dublin is easy and inexpensive. I will help to guide
you with your requests pertaining to your assignments.
Your journals will be returned to you, prior to your departure to the USA.
DAY 8
30 June Tuesday:
9:00 Meet in ELIZA BLUES for Final Departure Information and
Completion of the Course Evaluation.
You will have taxis called for your return to the Dublin Airport. You
will share the fees per car. It is a Tuesday morning, so the total
fare will be about €45.00-55.00
The meter starts at Eliza…be ready to leave on time! You will
be notified if the time is different than 9:30 AM.
Once you arrive at the Dublin Airport, you will proceed to the Departure’s
Hall for check in! LOOK UP and view the screen for the numbered area
for your check-in. It will be listed by City and Time of Departure.
Queue in that area, and have ready your passport and ticket. They will
weigh your bag, tag it, and send it on. You will receive a customs form
for immigration.
Now proceed to Security. Have your ticket and passport ready for review.
Once through security continue to the VAT Refund area if needed. (see
Hints email for complete instructions)
Now, Duty Free Shop, or grab a bite to eat! Fill out your Immigration
Form. For ease in processing, fill out the back side with souvenirs
and the total amount. They really don’t want an itemized list
of your purchases. As long as you’re claiming under $800.00 of
purchases, you’ll clear it all just fine. *The purpose of your
travel is leisure NOT business!
Go to the Gate Area, and wait for your Flight/City to be posted. Make
sure that you have that form completed prior to going down the stairs.
(also have any snacks, purchases, reading material you will need, as
there is not much to offer downstairs, and you will not be allowed back
up once you’ve cleared that area)
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Bono's CD Cover: Surprised to find this Castle found on a horseback ride through the Midlands of Ireland. |
You will present this form with your passport to the USA Immigration
Officer. This is a great process, as you will now clear US Customs without
a glitch when you land in the States! Once this process is completed,
tuck that form away for safe keeping; you’ll need to show it once
more after claiming your luggage!
Enjoy your flight home! When you land in the States, you’ll have
to collect your baggage through the Customs Area, and then have your
declaration form stamped. Then you’re free to proceed to your
next travel home!
PLEASE don’t forget…Your final projects and Peer-to-Peer
Review will be completed and sent to me for assessment no later than
2 weeks after course completion. This is 14 July, 2009.
OPTIONS
1) Travel Extension
Many in the past have requested information on extending the trip beyond the class dates. This is usually not an issue, provided that early bookings occur for room accommodations.
I have also helped provide advice on travel arrangements to other European cities. Please contact me for any questions. I can pass on phone numbers for you to make your reservations in advance.
2) Theatre Production
We have enjoyed many performances at the Abbey Theatre throughout the years. Last summer, we attended The Gate Theatre and everyone was stunned at the level of acting and theme pertaining to the Irish culture, as the Abbey was not offering a theme suitable for our class purpose.
The performances are not scheduled until late spring. More will be forthcoming regarding date, time, location, and cost of the production selected.
Thank you for your visit to the web-site, please contact Kerry Ninneman, Instructor at 303-393-8688 or kkninneman@stritch.edu for additional information or clarification of the 2009 Literary Ireland Course offered by Cardinal Stritch University
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