Archaeology Lecture and Field Trip

-Walk in the footsteps of monks who saw God in the natural beauty of the area
-Read inscriptions carved 1500 years ago in a form which could only be read by a few
-Marvel at a church built 1000 years ago which still retains its original form
-Ponder at the difficulties of the student of 1500 years ago, with only very basic tools to assist in his studies

Participants  will be given a well-illustrated introduction to the main periods of Irish Archaeology, with particular emphasis on sites to be found in Corca Dhuibhne, the Irish name for the Dingle Peninsula.  Both the monuments and the artifacts associated with them will be discussed.

The group will take “field trip” to visit some of the best examples of monuments in the whole of Ireland, particularly monuments of the Early Medieval Period (i.e. immediately after the introduction of Christianity, and the time of the early monasteries).

Your tutor and guide, Archaeologist  Isabel Bennett, has been working and living on the peninsula for many years, and has a great store of knowledge, not only about the archaeology of the area, but also about living in this wild, spectacularly beautiful peninsula.  She is delighted to have the opportunity to bring you to some of the hidden, as well as the better-known, sites (sights!) of her adopted home, and to share her insights with you.

Celtic Spirituality Lecture and Field Trip

-Tune into the immanence of God in this peninsula of hill and sea, of Atlantic surf and mountain mists.
-Visit Holy Wells and do the rounds performed by pilgrims for millennia.
-Marvel at 'Gallaí' (Standing Stone ), three times your height.
-Stare in wonder and awe at stone alignment to the winter solstice sunset.

Participants will travel back a long way to sense the faith and vision of the first people to live in Ireland after the last ice age some 6000 years ago. These people saw very little or no distinction between the material world and the spiritual world.  Their successors, the early Celtic Christians who lived in Ireland some 1400 years ago, had a similar vision. They, too, had a deep spirituality in harmony with nature: They accepted it and were in love with it, even in its more violent form. They did not separate body from soul, earth from heaven, and God in heaven from God's creation down here.  Rather, they had a more holistic view without any trace of dualism. For them, God was very real indeed.   Participants will be invited to tune into this view again as the they traverse the sacred landscape of holy wells and ancient sites.

Topics included in the Celtic Spirituality lecture and field trip may include: Holy wells and the cult of water, spirituality of local place and pattern days, festivals of the Celtic year, phenomenon of pilgrimages, the oral tradition of Prayer and Poetry and of Myth and Story, Hospitality to the stranger, love of each other and love of nature and more.

Your tutor, John Ahern BD, is a Celtic Christian Monk living in Dingle who has many years experience of the contemplative life. He is empathic, warm and approachable and will encourage interaction, dialogue and reflection.

Folklore Lecture and Field Trip

-Explore myths, stories and folklore of Ireland.
-Examine the place names of Dingle and the surrounding area. Each place name has a wonderful history to explore.
-Examine seasonal traditions, including Halloween and St. Patrick's Day.
-Discuss changes in post famine Ireland, leading to mass emigration to the United States.

Dingle has a rich anthropological history, and participants will be introduced to stories and myths associated with the area.  Topics will include stories and myths surrounds the most famous Irish saints and seasonal traditions and the Irish calendar.  Dingle's experience during the Famine will also be covered.

Evening Talk: Traditional Irish Music

Music is synonymous with Ireland and Dingle is a hotspot of Irish traditional music, where music can be heard from every pub. The group will get an insight into Irish traditional music and song, from Aoife Ghrainbhéil, a local woman who has been playing music since birth and who has been teaching for nearly as long. The group will learn about the major Irish musicians and Aoife will also give a sample of the many instruments that she can play. Group members will be free to play/sing along.

Irish Language Class & Practice Sessions

The Irish language is the official language in Ireland, but it's not commonly spoken in most of the country. In Dingle, however, it's still used in everyday life.  Irish is a beautiful, colorful language with a great turn of phrase. Students will learn about the history of the Irish language and its importance to the Irish people. Students will get an opportunity to learn 'cúpla focal' or a couple of words and will also get an opportunity to practice their newfound words in a fun and relaxed environment.

Afternoon Talk: Literature

Danny Sheehy was born, raised and still lives in Corca Dhuibhne (the Dingle Peninsula). A poet, a farmer, an author, a fisherman, a man at home on sea or land, he is a storyteller of some renown and a fine walker.  Eloquent in English, his first language is Irish.  Danny will give students a taste of his poetry and stories that depict the wonderful history of the Dingle Peninsula.

Set Dance Lesson

Get your dancing shoes out….. Students will get an opportunity to learn the West Kerry Set which is the local version of the Irish Set Dance. While the lessons will be in the classroom, students will get the chance to show off their dancing skills in the local pub afterwards. No previous dancing experience is necessary; all you will need is a sense of fun. 

Slea Head Tour

One of the most beautiful scenic costal drives in the world, this drive will leave you breathless with its stunning vistas and coastlines and the quaint, traditional houses.

Blasket Island Trip

The group will take a boat trip to the Blasket Islands, the most Westerly islands in Europe.  A visit to the island is like stepping back in time; the last inhabitants left the Island in 1953, and the community at its largest was approximately 150 people.  Although this farming and fishing community was small, it is well-know for the literature produced by the Islanders.  A visit to the Blasket Island Interpretive Center is also part of the day

Evening Talk: Storytelling

Ireland is famous for its rich history of storytelling. Stories passing down from generation to generation,  'Seanchai'  is Irish for “storyteller” or “old talker” and the group will hear stories from the best.

Traditional Irish Singing Club

Singing is a national past time in Ireland, every Irish person can sing, (or so they think..) Dingle is a hotspots of the Irish traditional form of singing, 'sean-nós' or 'old style' singing which is unique to the West of Ireland. The group will visit a traditional Irish singing session, not typically open to the public, where they will hear songs both in the Irish and English language.  This is always a great favorite of participants in our programs.  

Night at T.P.'s Pub

This pub is famous for its location and it's equally famous owner.  T.P.'s is located at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, where for hundreds of years fishermen have been fishing in 'currachs' or small canvas boats.  Enjoy the evening with a traditional Irish dinner and a pint of Guinness while taking in the beautiful scenery and the smell of the sea.