Tennessee Consortium for International Studies (TnCIS): Traveling - TnCIS in Ireland

This three week program will provide students with the best of everything that Ireland has to offer: stunning landscapes, coastal villages with famous cuisine and music, numerous castles, trendy shopping districts, and world class museums. Every day, our classroom in Ireland will be set against the backdrop of scenery ranging from the Atlantic coastline to the cosmopolitan city of Dublin.

Galway, also known as “City of the Tribes”, is a beautiful seaside location on the western coast. Galway is well-known for its vibrant university scene and caters to student interests with great shopping, restaurants, and excursion opportunities. It has been named the European Capital of Culture for 2020, so local events celebrating this title will be in full swing during our visit!  Class excursions to the Galway City Museum and nearby Spanish Arch will enable students to learn about the settlement of the area, its maritime history, and storytelling culture. In their free time, students may wish to take a ferry to the Aran Islands to explore the ancient forts or learn about the history of the Irish language. There will be many opportunities to try local specialties, such as seafood chowder or artisan pastries. After a day of learning and exploring, a visit to a local venue to hear traditional Irish music will certainly be in order!

In Cork, students will be able to visit the former Cork City Gaol (jail) to learn about social issues of 19th century, the English Market to try local cuisine, or the Cobh Heritage Center to learn about Ireland's influence on world history. We may also have the opportunity to tour the beautiful grounds of University College Cork, see one thousand year old bog butter at the Butter Museum, or take a cruise on the River Lee.

In Dublin, Ireland's capital city, visits to Trinity College and the Book of Kells, the Natural History Museum, the Chester Beatty Library, St. Patrick's Cathedral, the National Museums and Library, and Kilmainham Gaol will further enhance the academic content of each course and enable students to truly experience Dublin life. Additionally, students may choose to shop on trendy Grafton Street, tour the Guinness Storehouse, hear traditional Irish music in the Temple Bar area, or stroll through the National Botanic Gardens in their free time. 

All of the cities we'll visit will provide a sense of Ireland's culture and history that is simply unattainable in the traditional classroom. We won't just learn about the Irish way of life-we'll be living it every day. Standing on top of the Cliffs of Moher, kissing the Blarney Stone, and walking in the footsteps of your Irish ancestors can all be a part of the TnCIS Ireland experience.