Arcadia Ireland

The autumn leaves are still on the trees and pumpkin spice lattes (something that has only recently taken hold in Ireland) are still on the specials boards at cafes - but we here at Arcadia are already looking forward to January and the arrival of our Spring semester students!

If you are joining us for the Spring semester we hope you are looking ahead with excitement too because we have a really fantastic set of co-curricular excursions planned for you! These events are designed to help you get the most out of your time in Ireland, with opportunities to visit new and different parts of the island and round out your exposure to Irish culture in all its forms. Keep in mind that in addition to the trips listed below, you’ll also have activity-packed orientations, welcome and farewell events, contests and pop up events!

January 20 - Limerick Culture & Community

Explore Ireland's past, present, and future while getting to know your fellow students in our first co-curricular excursion of the semester! Our day in the Treaty City will start at the Hunt Museum, with a visit that includes the special exhibit Night’s Candles Are Burnt Out: Climate, Culture, Change & Community. In the afternoon, we'll head to King John's Castle, the centrepiece of the medieval town, where interactive exhibits and costumed interpreters tell the story of this imposing castle. 

$15 (no charge for University of Limerick students)

Price includes: admission to the Hunt Museum including special exhibit and King John's Castle. 

January 27 - Dublin Theatre Night: Sive

Join us for a night at Dublin's Gaiety Theatre! Sive (rhymes with five), written by Kerry native John B. Keane in 1959, tells the story of a young girl being pressured into marriage to a much older man. This play has become a classic of Irish literature, exploring timeless questions of greed and innocence while also depicting the tensions between old and new ways of thinking in the middle of the 20th century. Starring Fionnula Flanagan (The Others, The Guard, Waking Ned, Smother), Norma Sheahan (Bridget & Eamon, Moone Boy, Shirley Valentine, The Matchmaker), Sade Malone (Hope Street, Pistol, My Left Nut), Denis Conway (Hangmen, The Lonesome West, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Aisha, Brooklyn), and Patrick Ryan (Vikings: Valhalla, Game Of Thrones, Pure Mule). 

$25

Price includes: A ticket to see Sive at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin city centre. 

February 16-18 - Éalú: Escape to the West of Ireland

This three day weekend is our star event of the semester. Come enjoy with us the stunning Irish countryside where the Friday night céilí sets the tone with music and dancing. Saturday we will visit one of Ireland’s most beautiful spots - the Cliffs of Moher - followed by your choice of a beginner’s surfing lesson or a visit to the Bunratty Folk Park. This signature weekend is a celebration of the Arcadia Community across all of our programmes and is truly fun!

No charge - you are automatically registered for this event! All students are expected to attend unless they have a serious reason not to.

February 23-25 - Regional Weekend: Liverpool

Each semester, Arcadia programmes in England, Scotland, and Ireland join forces for a weekend trip - and this semester you’re invited to Liverpool! See a different side of England with a visit to this historic city with deep Irish links. Known for its contributions to music, as well as its football, its sense of humor and its varied nightlife, Liverpool is a city with something for everyone. We’ll be exploring its history through an interactive walking tour, The Beatles Story (of course!) and a cruise on the Mersey. Please note this trip departs from Dublin Airport, and there are only 10 places available!

$260

Price includes: round trip airfare, two nights bed and breakfast, group meal on the first night, walking tour, tickets to The Beatles Story and a Mersey river cruise. 

March 22-24 - Giant’s Causeway and Journey through the Troubles

Get a first hand look at Northern Ireland’s past and present on this weekend co-curricular excursion. We'll set off early on Friday morning to start our visit at the Giant’s Causeway, a source of fascination for generations of tourists, scientists, and artists. Our next stop will be Belfast where you will enjoy some free time as well as a tour of the city encompassing both the history of the Troubles - the civil war fought in the North in the 1970s-80s - and the city's flourishing in more recent times. On Saturday we'll head to Derry where staff from the Conflict, Peace, and Transition programme offered by Arcadia in partnership with Augsburg University will introduce you to the city's history of division and conflict as well as what is being done to heal divisions. This is a fantastic opportunity to reflect on questions of victimhood, justice, and how communities can reckon with the past.

$110

Price includes: coach travel; overnights in Belfast and Derry (sharing rooms); dinner on Friday and Saturday nights; tour guide fees in Belfast and Derry. 

April 6 - Sustainability, Policy, and Enterprise at the Rediscovery Centre

Rethink the future of Ireland and the world at the Rediscovery Centre, Ireland's national centre for the circular economy and Europe's first circular economy demonstration centre. An innovative social enterprise located in a historically deprived part of Dublin, the Rediscovery Centre's mission is "to lead Ireland’s transition to a circular economy and a sustainable future by creating a fair and inclusive society that thrives within the boundaries of our natural resources." Our visit will include a tour of the Centre, where you'll learn what they do and why, as well as how their activities fit into both national and European frameworks. We'll then participate in a hands-on workshop led by the Centre's education team. 

$10

Price includes: A tour and workshop. 

April 13 - Spike Island: Turbulent History and Natural Beauty

Spend a day exploring one of Ireland's most strategically important places, the large natural harbour of Cork. We'll visit the picturesque town of Cobh before taking the ferry to Spike Island, home to a former fortress and prison used by both British and Irish authorities. Whether you are interested in the award-winning exhibitions unfolding 1300 years of Irish social history, exploring the tunnels and walking trails, or just admiring the stunning views and sea breezes, there is something here for everyone. 

$20

Price includes: round trip bus tickets from Cork to Cobh; round trip ferry ticket; admission to Spike Island. 

These events will all be available for you to sign up through your Arcadia portal - and if there’s an event you’re interested in that fills up, please do be sure to join the waiting list as a place may become available closer to the date. We look forward to seeing you in Ireland soon!