STUDY ABROAD IRELAND–GALWAY

FALL 2009

DUBLIN EXCURSION
October 8–11

**Don’t forget: your Heritage Card; your Intl. Student ID Card (ISIC); a towel.

Accommodations

Four Courts Hostel. Mixed accommodations. Continental breakfast IS included!!! Bring your own towel.
http://www.fourcourtshostel.com/index.php

Directors/driver at: Trinity Capital Hotel

Itinerary

Thursday 10/8

8:00 a.m.: Depart PLH

10:00–12:00: Visit Clonmacnoise monastic site
50-min guided tour + time to wander the site + lunch (bring own/purchase in cafe)
2:00-ish: Arrive Dublin + take brief driving tour for overview of city
3:00-ish: Arrive Four Courts Hostel

Afternoon/evening free in Dublin + dinner on your own

Fri. 10/9

9:00 a.m.: Depart Dublin

10:00 a.m.: Arrive Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre
10:45–12:00: Visit Newgrange
Visit Mellifont Abbey + lunch
2:45 p.m: Return to Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre
3:00–4:00: Visit Knowth
5:00 p.m.: Return to Dublin

Dinner on your own + evening free in Dublin

Sat. 10/10

Full day in Dublin on your own! (see “Exploring Dublin” suggestions below)

8:00 p.m.: Attend performance of “New Electric Ballroom” (tickets paid for by the program!)
@ Peacock Theatre (part of the famous Abbey Theatre)

Sun. 10/11

11:30 a.m.: Depart hostel

12:00–2:00: Visit Kilmainham Gaol
1-hr guided tour + self-guided exploration of exhibits + lunch (bring own/purchase in cafe)
5:00-ish: Arrive Galway + grocery shopping
6:30-ish: Return to PLH
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FALL 2009

Clonmacnoise

An Early Christian site founded by St. Ciarán in the mid-6th century on the eastern bank of the River
Shannon. The site includes the ruins of a cathedral, seven churches (10th -13th century), two round towers,
three high crosses and the largest collection of Early Christian graveslabs in Western Europe. The original
high crosses and a selection of graveslabs are on display in the visitor centre.

Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre

Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre interprets the Neolithic monuments of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. The
extensive exhibition includes a full scale replica of the chamber at Newgrange as well as a full model of
one of the smaller tombs at Knowth.

Newgrange

The Megalithic Passage Tomb at Newgrange was built about 3200 BC. The kidney shaped mound covers
an area of over one acre and is surrounded by 97 kerbstones, some of which are richly decorated with
megalithic art. The 19 metre long inner passage leads to a cruciform chamber with a corbelled roof. It is
estimated that the construction of the Passage Tomb at Newgrange would have taken a work force of 300 at
least 20 years.

Newgrange was originally built between c. 5500 and 2900 BC, which means that it is over 5,000 years old.
According to Carbon-14 dates,[2] it is more than 500 years older than the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt,
and predates Stonehenge by about 1,000 years.
In the Neolithic period, Newgrange continued as a focus of some ceremonial activity. New monuments
added to the site included a timber circle to the south-east of the main mound and a smaller timber circle to
the west. The eastern timber circle consisted of five concentric rows of pits. The outer row contained
wooden posts. The next row of pits had clay linings and was used to burn animal remains. The three inner
rows of pits were dug to accept the animal remains. Within the circle were post and stake holes associated
with Beaker pottery and flint flakes. The western timber circle consisted of two concentric rows of parallel
postholes and pits defining a circle 20 m in diameter.

A concentric mound of clay was constructed around the southern and western sides of the mound and
covered a structure consisting of two parallel lines of post and ditches that had been partly burnt. A free-
standing circle of large stones was constructed encircling the mound. Near the entrance, 17 hearths were
used to set fires. These structures at Newgrange are generally contemporary with a number of Henges
known from the Boyne Valley, at Newgrange Site A, Newgrange Site O, Dowth Henge and Monknewtown
Henge.

Megalithic mounds such as Newgrange entered Irish mythology as sídhe or fairy mounds. Newgrange was
said to be the home of Oenghus, the god of love.
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FALL 2009

Excavation and restoration

Newgrange lay hidden for over 4,000 years due to mound slippage, until the late 17th century, when men
looking for building stone uncovered it, and described it as a cave. Newgrange was excavated and much
restored between 1962 and 1975, under the supervision of Professor Michael J. O'Kelly, Department of
Archaeology, University College, Cork.[3] It consists of a vast man-made stone and turf mound retained
within a circle of 97 large kerbstones topped by a high inward-leaning wall of white quartzite and granite.
Most of the stones were sourced locally (within a radius of 20km or so) but the quartzite and granite stones
of the facade must have been sourced further afield, most probably in Wicklow and Dundalk Bay
respectively.

As part of the restoration process the white quartzite stones and cobbles were fixed into a near-vertical
steel-reinforced concrete wall surrounding the entrance of the mound. This restoration is controversial
among the archaeological community. Critics of the wall point out that the technology did not exist when
the mound was created to fix a retaining wall at this angle. Another theory is that the white quartzite stones
formed a plaza on the ground at the entrance. This theory won out at nearby Knowth, where the restorers
have laid the quartzite stones out as an "apron" in front of the entrance to the great mound.

Abbey Theatre

The Abbey Theatre was founded in 1903 by W. B. Yeats and Lady Augusta Gregory. Its precursors were
the Irish Literary Theatre and Frank and Willie Fay’s National Dramatic Society. With patronage from
Miss Annie Horniman, premises were purchased on Old Abbey Street and on December 27th 1904, the
Abbey Theatre opened its doors for the first time.

New Electric Ballroom

The Abbey Theatre presents the Druid production of this multi-award winning play by Enda Walsh.
Funny, tender-hearted and at times pitch dark, The New Electric Ballroom is a coiled, dark, glitter-dusted
fable of the emotionally stultifying effects of small-town life. Ada, Breda and Clara are three sisters living
in a remote fishing village, trapped in the years that have passed since their halcyon days at the New
Electric Ballroom. Here possibilities are endless, hopes are high and opening your heart might be the one
thing that saves you. Winner of the Edinburgh Fringe First Award, and Irish Time Theatre Awards for Best
New Play and Best Supporting Actor (Mikel Murphy). Enda Walsh is one of the world’s most original
voices in contemporary theatre.

Review of the play by Galway Independent:

http://www.galwayindependent.com/entertainment/entertainment/review-%11-the-new-electric-ballroom,-
druid/

Killmainham Gaol

One of the largest unoccupied gaols in Europe, covering some of the most heroic and tragic events in
Ireland's emergence as a modern nation from 1780s to the 1920s. Attractions include a major exhibition
detailing the political and penal history of the prison and its restoration. Leaders of the rebellions of 1798,
1803, 1848, 1867 and 1916 were detained here. Such names as Robert Emmet, Charles Stewart Parnell,
leaders of the 1916 Rising and DeValera are associated with the Gaol.
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FALL 2009

Exploring Dublin
Suggested Sites to See & Things to Do

HISTORICAL/CULTURAL/LITERARY

National Museum of Ireland

• interprets/exhibits the history of Ireland from 2000 BC to the present
• collections include gold, chalices, jewels, crosses, archaeological finds, decorative arts, metalwork,
military/arms, folklife, textiles & clothing—AND don’t forget the BOG BODIES!!!!
FREE Admission
open Thurs. & Sat. 10-5

National Library
• collections include over 500,000 books + historic newspapers & periodicals
• gallery shows temporary exhibitions from the collections
FREE Admission
open Thurs. til 4:45 & Sat. 9:30–12:45

National Gallery of Art

• Irish & intl. work; Yeats Museum; temporary exhibitions; shop & cafe
Free general admission; fee charged for some exhibitions
open Thurs. til 8:30 p.m.; Sat. 9:30–5:30 w/ guided tour @ 3:00

Dublin Castle
• Norman/English stronghold; used as prison for rebels
• State Apartments (**viewed on guided tour only**) = “the grandest room in Ireland”
• Church of the Most Holy Trinity
FREE admission
open Thurs. til 4:45; Sat. 2:00–4:45; guided tours available

General Post Office

• headquarters of the 1916 Rising & site of proclamation of the Republic

City Hall
• built 1769; used over time as a prison, military depot, & corn exchange
• exhibition on history of Dublin in restored vaults
• beautiful rotunda w/ illuminated dome & mosaic floor
€2 student admission
open Thurs. & Sat. 10:00–5:15

Christ Church Cathedral

• foundation/crypt date to 12th cent.; “magnificent” stonework & pointed arches; size best seen from the river
€4 students (discounted admission w/ purchase of ticket to Dublinia & the Viking World)
open daily 9:45–5:30

Dublinia & the Viking World

• recreates medieval Dublin from 12th to 16th centuries w/ exhibits, artifacts, AV presentation
• top of 200-ft. St. Michael’s tower = panoramic view over city
€5.25 students (can get discounted admission to Christ Church Cathedral w/ ticket purchase)
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FALL 2009

open Sat. & Sun. 10–5

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FALL 2009

Old Library/Long Room @ Trinity College

• The Book of Kells, a copy of the 1916 Proclamation, Ireland’s oldest harp & temporary exhibitions
€8 students; €6.50 for groups of 10 or more
open Thurs. & Sat. 9:30–5:00

Chester Beatty Library

• intl. collection of manuscripts, paintings, & ornaments
FREE admission
open Thurs. til 5:00; Sat. 11–5

Marsh’s Library
• oldest public library in Ireland w/ over 25,000 holdings
FREE admission
open Thurs. til 5:00; Sat. 10:30–1:00

Meeting House Square

Temple Bar Music Centre: music training centre/workshop & concert venue
Irish Film Institute: art-house cinema; film archive; bookshop & cafe
Gallery of Photography: exhibits Irish & intl. work; books & postcards

Dublin Writers Museum

• exhibitions honoring Dublin writers in restored Georgian mansion on Parnell Square; bookshop & cafe
€6.30 students (can also purchase €9.50 tickets for combined admission to James Joyce Centre)
open Thurs. & Sat. 10–5

James Joyce Centre

• exhibits on Joyce’s life & work in restored 18th-cent. townhouse
€4 students
open Sat. 10–5

Glasnevin Cemetery
• burial place of major political and literary figures in Irish history (as well as lots of ordinary folk)
FREE admission
open daily 8–4

Guinness Storehouse
• tour explores brewing process & history of Guinness
• building includes galleries, exhibitions, archives
• the Gravity Bar, Dublin’s highest bar, offers panoramic view over city
€11 (Students)
open 9:30–5 Thurs., Sat, Sun.
**Allison’s suggestion: Book ahead of time. You can pay online (print the receipt, which serves as your
ticket) and avoid the queue when you get there. Tickets are good for 12 months from purchase so you
can go any day within that year-long period.
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FALL 2009

ARCHITECTURE & BUILT ENVIRONMENT

City Hall
Bank of Ireland
Custom House
Trinity College
O’ Connell Bridge
Ha’Penny Bridge
Georgian houses: St. Stephen’s Green, Merrion Square, & Fitzwilliam Square

POLITICS & GOVERNMENT

Government Buildings
(offices of the Taoiseach/prime minister & Cabinet members)
FREE tours Sat. 10:30–1:30
pick up ticket @ National Gallery in the morning for that day

Buswell’s Hotel
• popular hangout among politicians & political journalists

STREET LIFE

Grafton Street:
pubs, cafes, shopping

Temple Bar:
art galleries & studios, 2nd-hand shopping (clothes, books, music), craft shops, pubs, clubs
Merchant’s Arch = lots o’ buskers
Meeting House Square = Saturday farmers’ market + performance space & cultural centre
Cow’s Lane = Saturday Fashion & Design Market

Moore Street:
• fruit & vegetable stalls, butchers’ shops, ethnic food shops in heart of immigrant neighborhood

PARKS & GREEN SPACES

St. Stephen’s Green

Marion Square
Fitzwilliam Square
Iveagh Gardens
National Botanical Gardens (incl. National Zoo)
War Memorial Gardens
Phoenix Park
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FALL 2009

DUBLIN PASS

Gains you free entry to many places that charge admission fees and allows you to skip the queue for
tickets and save time.

Cost: €35 for 1-day pass €46.75 for 2-day pass €65 for 3-day pass

Purchase online and pick up pass at Dublin Tourism Centre, Suffolk St., city centre
OR purchase at the Tourism Centre once you arrive

Free Entry with the Dublin Pass:

» Airfield Trust
» Chester Beatty Library
» Christ Church Cathedral
» Croke Park Experience
» Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre
» Dublin Castle
» Dublin Writers Museum
» Dublin Zoo
» Dublin's City Hall - The Story of the Capital
» Glasnevin Cemetery - Irelands Necropolis
Glasnevin Cemetery Walking Tours are currently available and Dublin Pass holders receive a 20% ...
» Guinness Storehouse

» James Joyce Centre

» James Joyce Museum
» Kilmainham Gaol
» National Aquatic Centre
» National Gallery of Ireland

» Saint Patrick's Cathedral

» Skerries Mills
» Tara's Palace
» The Casino, Marino
» The Fry Model Railway
» The Old Jameson Distillery
» The Shaw Birthplace