Beth Steele   |   J Term Ireland, on the road   |   sociology   |   January 2012

“Experiential learning at its best - field trips across Ireland!”

 
A daytrip to Derry took us to the site of much strife in recent Irish history. Michael, a representative of Sinn Féin, shared insights we’ve not heard in the news.
Off to the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, the land of many legends. In fact, the 40,000 interlocking basalt columns are known to be the result of an ancient volcanic eruption.
Brian, Emily, Brittany, Tony, Sam, and Joe perch high above the beach at the Giant’s Causeway.
This Celtic Cross overlooks the Our Lady of Knock Shrine in County Mayo, site of an apparition in 1879. Our visit proved to be a lesson in culture, religion, and history.
Dr. Reid Golden seeks out megalithic tombs with Brenda and Jennifer. We were visiting Carrowmore, the second largest cemetery of megalithic tombs in Europe.
Ireland is so beautiful, even the view from the coach can take your breath away. These are the hills of County Sligo, where Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery is located.
Students are visiting at least 10 additional sites and writing extended reports. I took the ferry to the Aran Islands. This wind blown self portrait of sorts is from Inis Mór (Big Island).
The Aran Islands’ Dún Aonghusa is an Iron-Age stone fort built 900-500 BCE, its dry-stone walls perch at the very edge of a 300 ft. cliff above the Atlantic Ocean. Next stop… North America!
Ruins of the Seven Churches on the Aran Islands. Dating to the 8th century, it is spell-binding in its simplicity.
 
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J Term 2012 is taking us counter clockwise around Ireland, and our experience is full of history – both natural and cultural. As Americans we can only read about the Megalithic period, in Ireland we are surrounded by these and much earlier structures and ruins. We are experiencing for ourselves how closely culture has been tied to religion throughout time. And, at the same time, we're seeing what must be some of the most beautiful countryside and coastline anywhere. Program Co-director Nancy Boulin-Golden calls it "magnificent," and she's right!

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