Irish Music and Celtic Myth in Ireland
Spring 3-week, 2008
Dates: Approximate: April 22 - May 6, 2008
The Faculty
Professor Tina Dreisbach, Music
The Course
INTD 385: Irish Music and Celtic Myth
This class explores the ancient, proud, and distinctive culture of Ireland through its music and literature. Through centuries of oppression the Irish people have been sustained by their rich heritage of verbal art, folklore and music. These traditions still define life on this beautiful island. The course includes sixteen days of travel and study in western Ireland and Dublin.
Walk in the lovely and tranquil countryside on the perimeter of Europe. Learn about the majestic pre-Celtic, Celtic, and Christian monuments that dot the Irish countryside. Visit five-thousand-year-old dolmens, standing stones, passage tombs and cairns. Walk to ring forts, round towers, high crosses and holy wells. Explore abbeys and castles in their magnificent natural settings and learn about the historical context in which they flourished and changed. Join us as we visit remote communities where the Celtic language is still used by native speakers - a culture that has endured despite ravages of colonialism, famine and emigration. Explore towns and cities steeped in history and adorned with splendid architecture and artifacts. Meet musicians and storytellers and chat about their life and work. Above all, experience the unmatchable music, dance and poetry of Ireland among the hills and mountains made famous by Yeats, among the ancient woodlands, peat bogs, valleys and drumlins where fairies become believable.
The Program
The first three class days will be on campus where students will choose topics and begin research. We fly to Shannon, Ireland on or about April 22 and return from Dublin on or about May 6th. We expect to be based in four regions:
Ennis, County Clare:
Possible excursions to Cliffs of Moher, the Burren geological area, and University of Limerick where we will meet students and faculty.
Galway City:
Coole Park, home of writer Lady Gregory; and day trips to Aran Islands and Connemara.
Carrick-on-Shannon, County Sligo:
Yeats landmarks, Museum of Country Life, and Coleman Heritage Center for Irish Music.
Dublin:
Where we'll attend a play at the world famous Abbey Theatre. Dublin options are endless: Trinity College, The National Museum, The Writers Museum, Kilmainham Jail, The National Art Gallery, Christ Church Cathedral, and of course the Guinness Brewery.
The trip is planned in partnership with Mick Moloney's Irish Folklore Tours, Biddeford, Main (www.irishfolkloretours.com). Dr. Moloney is a musician, folklorist, and eminent authority on Irish-American culture. Our escort for travel in Ireland will be cultural specialist Liam Boyle, a native of County Tipperary.
Orientation
Mandatory orientation sessions will be held on campus before departure. Students are expected to attend all class meetings and participate fully in discussions and excursions. They will be asked to complete daily assignments in preparation for each day's activities and to lead discussion on chosen topics occasionally during the trip. They will keep a daily journal and write an assigned summary essay which will act as a final exam. This can be completed upon our return to campus.
Estimated Program Costs
$4,050 above tuition and fees
(Includes round-trip air fare, ground transportation, accommodations in centrally located hotels with private bath and breakfast, guides, field trips, admissions and guest artist expenses). We hope the fee will cover all meals but this is tentative, as Ireland is undergoing rapid inflation. Personal expenses, passport fees, and independent travel are not covered. You will not be charged Hiram room and board for the duration of this trip.
A $75 non-refundable fee will be charged to a student's Hiram College account upon receipt of the completed application.
Application Deadline
October 5, 2007
For more information, please contact:
Study Abroad Coordinator
Hiram College
P.O. Box 67
Hiram, OH 44234
Phone: (330)569-5160
Fax: (330) 569-5381
E-Mail: mickks@hiram.edu.