I\u2019m working on developing a new short-term study abroad course focused on religion in Ireland, from before Christianity to Brexit and the looming possibility of the revival of the troubles. I\u2019m thinking that something like the following would work well, but having access to a wide network of faculty, present and former students, and others who\u2019ve traveled to the Republic of Ireland and\/or Northern Ireland, it seems appropriate to crowdsource this. What other places would you visit on such a trip if you were determining the itinerary? Anyplace on this provisional itinerary that you wouldn\u2019t go, and if so, where would you recommend instead of the destination listed here?<\/p>\n
Religion in Ireland Short-Term Study Abroar Itinerary<\/strong><\/p>\n
Days 1-2 Dublin <\/strong><\/p>\n
Trinity College Library<\/u><\/p>\n
The classic home of the Book of Kells, famous illustrated biblical manuscripts, Trinity College provides many more opportunities to consider the connection between church, politics, and education in Ireland.<\/p>\n
St. Patrick\u2019s Cathedral<\/u><\/p>\n
James Joyce Center<\/u><\/p>\n
Maynooth College<\/u><\/p>\n
Opportunity to learn about the state of seminary training and theological study in the Irish Catholic Church and how priests understand their role in relation to the political realities of the divided island.<\/p>\n
Day 3\u00a0 travel northward<\/strong><\/p>\n
Newgrange <\/u><\/p>\n
Perhaps the most famous pre-Christian religious site in Ireland, it is older than the pyramids in Egypt, and although we will not be there at the right time of year to witness it, the site is aligned so that its main corridor is illuminated by the sun on the winter solstice.<\/p>\n
Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre<\/u><\/p>\n
The Battle of the Boyne continues to be commemorated as part of Protestant identity in Northern Ireland. It was a conflict between two claimants to the British throne, the result of which secured Protestant rule.<\/p>\n
Monasterboice High Crosses<\/u><\/p>\n
There are many of these tall stone crosses in Ireland, but this one on the site of a 10th<\/sup> century monastery is a particularly good example, as well as being convenient to our itinerary.<\/p>\n
Day 4 Armagh and vicinity <\/strong><\/p>\n
Crossfire Trust<\/u> (peacemaking center)<\/p>\n
St Patrick\u2019s Catholic Cathedral<\/u><\/p>\n
St Patrick\u2019s Church of Ireland Cathedral<\/u><\/p>\n
The two cathedrals in the site associated with St. Patrick reflect the historic religious divisions in Ireland and the contested legacy of the island\u2019s most famous saint.<\/p>\n
Days 5-6 Belfast <\/strong><\/p>\n
Belfast City Hall<\/u><\/p>\n
Queen\u2019s University Belfast<\/u><\/p>\n
Belfast Bible College<\/u><\/p>\n
Black Taxi Tour<\/u> (a drive around the city with a social justice focus)<\/p>\n
Falls Road<\/u> (location of famous murals in Catholic neighborhood)<\/p>\n
Corrymeela Community<\/u> (peacemaking endeavor)<\/p>\n
Day 7 Giant\u2019s Causeway<\/strong><\/p>\n
Seamus Heaney HomePlace<\/u> (museum dedicated to poet who lived on both sides of border)<\/p>\n
Giant\u2019s Causeway<\/u> (incredible natural rock formation)<\/p>\n
Day 8 Derry\/Londonderry<\/strong><\/p>\n
The controversy over the very name of the city reflects the divisions in the country. A historically divided community, it provides an opportunity to get a close look at partitioning walls and efforts to reach across them.<\/strong><\/p>\n
Day 9 Co. Mayo<\/strong><\/p>\n
Croagh Patrick<\/u> (mountain, pilgrimage site)<\/p>\n
Kylemore Abbey <\/u><\/p>\n
Day 10 Knock Shrine<\/strong><\/p>\n
Like Lourdes and Medjugorje, somewhat better-known sites of Marian devotion and pilgrimage, Knock provides an opportunity to witness an important element of Catholic religiosity in its traditional form.<\/p>\n
Day 11 Aran Islands via Rossaveal ferry <\/strong><\/p>\n
Na Seacht dTeampaill (The Seven Churches)<\/u><\/p>\n
D\u00fan Aonghasa<\/u><\/p>\n
An opportunity to see the combination of breathtaking natural beauty, pre-Christian religious site, and the history of Christian monasticism all in one amazing location.<\/p>\n
Day 12 Galway City<\/strong><\/p>\n
Cathedral<\/u><\/p>\n
Burren, Poulnabrone Dolmen<\/u> (Neolithic stone structures, distinctive natural formations)<\/p>\n
Day 13 Final full day<\/p>\n
Innisfallen Abbey<\/u><\/p>\n
Rock of Cashel<\/u><\/p>\n
End at Dublin<\/p>\n
Day 14 Departure<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I\u2019m working on developing a new short-term study abroad course focused on religion in Ireland, from before Christianity to Brexit and the looming possibility of the revival of the troubles. I\u2019m thinking that something like the following would work well, but having access to a wide network of faculty, present and former students, and others […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":136,"featured_media":76334,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16611],"tags":[5380,10169,11992],"class_list":["post-76332","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ireland","tag-ireland","tag-religion","tag-study-abroad"],"yoast_head":"\n
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