SHU Dingle Alumni Program 29th June - 6th July 2013

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1 SHU Dingle Alumni Program 29th June - 6th July 2013 Introduction The Center for Irish Cultural Studies at Sacred Heart University is delighted to announce the inaugural SHU in Dingle Alumni Program, from the 29th June to the 6th July The program is open to SHU in Dingle program alumni and their family, friends and partners. The week long program will be a walk down memory lane for past students and it will be a wonderful new experience for those who have never previously been to Dingle. Activities and Events The schedule includes some of the more popular activities from previous undergraduate programs, but, also includes new activities and trips that will add to the adventure. Think back and remember how wonderful your last trip to Dingle was and imagine, relieving those memories and make new memories with your friends, family or partner. For full details please refer to the program itinerary below. Package Rates: Total Cost per Person is $ USD. This includes: All internal transport, including airport transfer from selected group flight. 7 nights accommodation (based on sharing) 7 dinners & 1 lunch All entrance fees 1 fun activity selected from 6 options Other activities as per itinerary Dingle Bay & Hussey's Tower Slea Head

2 PROGRAM ITINERARY 2013 The itinerary is subject to change as new activities are added and schedules are adjusted due to weather conditions. It is intended only as a general guide of what you can expect in Ireland. Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Full Day Mid - Arrive at Shannon Airport: Travel to Dingle Book into accommodation & town orientation Welcome group dinner Optional Mass. Hill walk or other activity. Group dinner. Dingle history & culture talk Seán Ahern holy well tour. Group dinner followed by Irish dancing lessons. Skellig Michael trip including entrance to Skellig museum & packed lunch Group dinner. Free morning or optional activity such as kayaking, horse riding etc. Trip to Slea Head, Blasket Islands Interpretive Center & two archaeology sites. Group dinner followed by a play at the National Folk Theatre. Field trip to the Blasket Island. 4th July Celebration B-B-Q followed by sean-nós Singing Night. Free morning or additional activities can be arranged. Fun activities such as kayaking, horse riding and surfing. Farewell group dinner. Saturday Depart Dingle for Shannon Airport.

3 Dingle History and Culture Talk: This talk will give participants, especially those who have never been in Dingle before a taste of the culture and what it s like to live in Dingle. Our native language, our heritage, and what makes Dingle unique will be touched upon in an informative and fun atmosphere. The talk will be given by TP Ó Conchúir, a unique character himself. Holy Well Tour: Br. Seán Ahern will give the group a short history on Celtic Spirituality in Ireland, before the group travel to a number of local sites, including a Holy Well, Standing Stones, and a very special reflection, held on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the Blasket Islands. Skellig Michael Trip: Please Google and/or Youtube 'Skellig Michael' and you will be SO excited to go there. It's an amazing experience and one that you will want to share with your friends. The day will involve a 2.5 hour bus ride on the beautiful Ring of Kerry route, then a 40 minute boat trip. The group will spend approx. 3 hours on the island. Some info on the Island - a Christian monastery was founded on the island at some point between the 6th and 8th century, and was continuously occupied until its abandonment in the late 12th century. The remains of this monastery, along with most of the island itself, were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in Slea Head Tour: Slea Head is one of the most beautiful costal drives in Ireland, if not the world. The vista will include, the Great Blasket Islands, Mount Brandon, Iveragh Peninsula. A visit to the Blasket Center Museum is included, where you will learn more about the Blasket Islanders and their unique culture. Finally, you will see two archaeological sites, Gallarus Oratory and Kilmalkeadar, where an archaeologist will both inform and entertain you with stories and facts. The view from the planned walk on Sunday.

4 Blasket Island Day Trip: A beautiful 40 minute boat trip will take you from Dingle Harbour to the Blaskets Islands, passing Fungi, the Dingle Dolphin along the way. Three hours will be spent on the island, where the group will be given a talk on the islands history and why the island was evacuated in There will be plenty of time to stroll around the island and have a picnic on the beach. Theatre Night: The National Folk Theatre is located in Tralee (One hour drive from Dingle). The group will enjoy an Irish play/musical. Details of the specific performance will be confirmed at a later date. Irish Dancing Lessons: Learn some Irish dancing in a fun, informal setting. Dáithe Geaney, who is 3 times World Irish Dancing Champion, will pass on some of his knowledge and before you know it, you'll be dancing an Irish jig Irish Singing Night: Sean-nós refers to 'old style' Irish singing, where the singer tells a story through song, where a note can be held longer that it takes a pint of Guinness to settle. Youtube 'sean nos' and you'll get some good examples. Other Activities: The package includes one optional activity from a list of six: Kayaking - Surfing - Horse-riding - Hill Walking - Golf - Irish Cookery Class Note: Arrangements can be made if participants want to participate in more than one activity. This can be done on-site. An additional cost will apply. Free Time: Sufficient free time will be available to relax and explore Dingle at your own pace in-between other scheduled activities.

5 Accommodations Participants will be staying at Southbound Cottages (These are the cottages used in the undergraduate programs). Each house sleeps five: 2 twin bed rooms and 1 single room. Price of package is based on sharing. Special accommodation requests can be made during the application process. Accommodation Cottages View from accommodation Group Dinners Each night, a group dinner will be provided and consist of a main course, dessert and tea/coffee Locations for group dinners include a selection of Dingle Pubs and Restaurants. Application and Contact Details Applications will be accepted on a first come, first-served basis; so be sure to apply early. Group size restrictions apply. More information and the application form is available on Application Deadline: 28th February For enquires, please contact: Seán Pól Ó Conchúir, Director Dingle Campus at: ire-oconnors@sacredheart.edu.