Irish Tours

Throughout the Irish Life Experience, students will see and visit some of Ireland's most historical places, impressive sights, and general beauty of Ireland through guided tours and scheduled stops.  Each of the featured tours offer the chance to step back in time, to places that have retained their original beauty and historical significance.  Some images will forever be burned in your memory while others will offer insight to how the Irish survived prior to achieving the independent status of today.

Aran Islands

Students will visit the Aran Islands, the westernmost point of Europe where they will be able to practice their Gaelic language skills with the local residents while exploring on foot or on bikes.  The Aran Islands offer some of the most historical sites such as Dun Aengus and The Seven Churches, as well as landscapes of limestone and stretches of cliffs that border these beautiful islands.

The Burren

The Burren is an area found in western Ireland known for its geological landscape, beautiful flora, underground rivers, and limestone "grikes" (cracks).  Those interested in the ancient history of Ireland will find a wealth of material in the Burren - megalithic tombs, Celtic crosses, a ruined Cistercian Abbey and more than sixty wedge tombs and dolmens.

Carrick-a-Rede Bridge

The Carrick-a-Rede Bridge is a rope suspension bridge that connects the mainland to Sheep Island, a tiny island primarily used for fishing.  The bridge and its surroundings are absolutely gorgeous and, on a clear day, you can actually see to Scotland!  Although, at first glance, it appears that it would be a scary adventure, the bridge has been updated to ensure safety and there has never been an injury as a result of crossing the bridge.

Cliffs of Moher

Located on the western coast of Ireland, between Doolin and Lahinch, the Cliffs of Moher reach 700 foot heights and span for nearly ten miles.  The sight of these cliffs, as well as O'Brien's Tower which sits atop the highest point, offers some of the most breathtaking views in all of Ireland.  An absolute must-see!

Cobh

Pronounced "Cove", this seaport town is located on south shore of Great Island in Cork Harbour.  Best known as the point of departure for nearly 2.5 million North American emigrants, and as the last port of call for the ill-fated Titanic, Cobh has become an amazingly vibrant town and home to yacht clubs and social venues.

Croke Park

Students will visit Croke Park, the largest sports stadium in Ireland, and home to the national games of Gaelic Football and Hurling, which are also two workshops offered as part of the Irish Life Experience.  The Stadium Tour goes behind the scenes at this 82,300 capacity stadium, including dressing rooms, pitch-side, corporate suites, VIP section and state-of-the-art media center.

Dan O'Hara's Cottage

Students will have a guided tour of Dan O'Hara's Cottage and the surrounding grounds which will include a tractor ride, a demonstration of turf cutting, story telling, horseshoe throwing, and a few games of tug-of-war.  The tour is very entertaining and educational by giving students a chance to experience the history and traditions of the Connemara region firsthand.

Dublin City Tour

Hop aboard the double-decker Dublin Bus while you visit some of this great city's sights and attractions, including Trinity College and the Book of Kells, St. Stephen's Green, Temple Bar District, Dublin Castle, and much more, all with colorful commentary provided by a tour guide.  Dublin is rich with history and provides a great opportunity to people watch while blending in with the "tourists", which our students don't consider themselves by the end of their journey!

Giant's Causeway

Giant's Causeway is a remarkable geological feature that has earned the title of being the fourth greatest natural wonder in the United Kingdom and the "Eighth Wonder of the World".  Consisting of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns which were formed by an ancient volcanic eruption, this will be one of the highlights of the Irish Life Experience!

Glendalough

Glendalough, meaning "Glen of Two Lakes", is a glacial valley located in County Wicklow.  Renowned for its Early Medieval monastic settlement founded in the 6th century by St. Kevin, a hermit priest, it was destroyed in 1398 by English troops.  This will be the Irish Life's first stop on the day they arrive in Ireland, enroute to Waterford.  Students will be able to walk around the gorgeous lakes and breathe the fresh air, which will help with their unavoidable jet lag.

Blarney Castle and Stone

The Blarney Castle is a Medieval stronghold in Blarney, near the city of Cork.  The castle originally dates to before 1200 AD.  Students are allowed to explore the grounds, climb to the top of the castle, and kiss the Blarney Stone, which is said to give the gift of eloquence.  They will also have time to shop at the popular Blarney Woolen Mills where they can pick up many of their desired souvenirs.

Kilkenny Castle

Located in Kilkenny, just an hour south of Dublin and north of Waterford, this grand castle sits on the River Nore overlooking Kilkenny's city-center.  Once a private estate, the first tower dates back to 1172 and much of the original structure remains.  It has recently been restored and open to visitors who are able to appreciate a portion of the National Art Gallery on display, as well as the ornamental gardens that surround the property.

Kilmainham Gaol

Built in 1796, Kilmainham Gaol served as a prison for almost 140 years where its cells held many famous people involved in the campaign for Irish independence.  It was also the site of several executions including many of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising.  It now stands as a museum and has been featured in several films and even U2's music video for A Celebration.

Kylemore Abbey

As we tour the Connemara region outside of Galway, we will come upon the original Kylemore Castle, now called Kylemore Abbey and home to the International Girls' School.  The castle itself served as a private home in the late 1800's before being founded for Benedictine Nuns who fled Belgium during World War I.  Today, the school remains, although it will be closed in 2010, and the house and gardens are open to the public.

President's House

Each summer, the Irish Life Experience will visit the President's House and get a private tour where they may just be greeted by the President herself!  Built in 1751 and situated in the 1,752 acres of the Phoenix Park near Dublin, the original house was built by Park Ranger Nathaniel Clements. By 1782 it had been acquired for use by the Viceroys who oversaw British rule in Ireland.  It became the official residence of the President of Ireland in 1938 and remains as such today.

Riverdance

Once our students learn the basics of Irish step dancing, they will attend Riverdance, one of the greatest dance performances of our time.  Originally created and performed in Dublin in 1994, Riverdance now travels the world with their jaw-dropping rapid dance steps.  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.

Rock of Cashel

One of the most impressive structures in all of Ireland, the Rock of Cashel presents a mass and outline of great complexity, rivaling other sites in western Europe. The complex has a character of its own, unique and native, and is one of the most remarkable collections of Celtic art and medieval architecture to be found anywhere in Europe.  Its grounds serve as an extensive graveyard which features many traditional high crosses.

Tramore

A seaside suburb of Waterford, Tramore attracts visitors from all over Ireland with its ice-cream parlors, long boardwalk, and amusement park which makes Tramore sound more like Malibu Beach than a coastal town in Ireland. Surfing and long walks on the beach aside, Tramore offers impressive views of the surrounding seas and quaint towns.