June 2 - July 3, 2017

Spend summer school in Ireland!  Students will spend a full month immersing themselves in the study of Irish culture and history while exploring and experiencing the rich and diverse heritage of Ireland!

Using picturesque Athlone, Co. Westmeath as a home base, participants will make field trips to locations such as Dunamase and Emo Court, the megalithic monuments at Loughcrew and Trim Castle, spend several days in Ireland's Cultural Heart, Galway, and take a boat to Clonmacnoise.

Did You Know?

• Ireland is home to Newgrange, an ancient stone-and-earth burial site that is older than Stonehenge or the Egyptian pyramids.
• At least one million people died in five years in Ireland during the great potato famine of the 1840s.
• Ireland did not legalize divorce until 1997.
• Ireland is nicknamed the Emerald Island because of its expansive lush, green fields.
• Currency used is the Euro.

Cultural Excursions

• Cliffs of Moher (Ireland's most scenic location)
• Clonmacnoise (6th Century Monastery)
• Dublin City
• Dunamase Castle (Fortress of Strongbow) 
• Emo Court (18th Century Palladian Style Manor)
• Galway City - Ireland's Cultural Heart
• Inis Mor (largest of the Aran Islands)
• Loughcrew (5ooo year old passage tombs)
• Trim Castle (Normal Castle of Hugh de Lacy)
• The Burren National Park (one of the most unique ecosystems in the world)

Program Location

The program is held on the campus of Athlone Institute of Technology located in the medieval city of Athlone, County Westmeath, Ireland. Situated in the heart of Ireland astride the River Shannon, the city is rich in culture and history. 

Modern Athlone is a center of industry and education and home to one of Ireland's major institutes of technology. Because of its central location (between Dublin and Galway) it is a transportation hub by road and rail, and makes access to the rest of Ireland convenient.

Courses Offered (6 credits-choose 2 courses)

• ART142   17542 Introduction to Digital Photography (3 cr); requires $35 course fee
  • Instructor: TBA
• REL250  18118 Religion in Ireland: Neolithic to Early Medieval (3 cr) [HU, H]
  • Instructor: Dr. Barry Vaughan
• STO290  18262 The Irish Storytelling Tradition (3 cr) [G]
  • Instructor: Liz Warren (South Mtn CC)

Estimated Program Costs

Passport Information Available Here

Study Abroad Ireland Program Details

• Study Abroad Ireland is held on the campus of Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) located in picturesque Athlone, County Westmeath, Ireland.
• Participants will be housed in the Croi Oige Student Village apartments conveniently located across from AIT's campus. Each 4-bedroom apartment is fully furnished and comes equipped with TV, iron and ironing boards, oven, microwave oven, refrigerator, electric kettle, all kitchen utensils, and bedding. Each bedroom comes with a study/computer desk and is internet ready with high speed internet access.
• Read detailed cultural information on Ireland provided by CultureGrams™

Dates to Remember