In This Story
The breathtaking green hills and vibrant sounds of traditional Irish music set the scene for this year's study abroad in Ireland. This past summer, 10 AMGT MA students, 1 CVPA undergrad student, and Dr. Karalee Dawn MacKay, Director of the Arts Management Program, traversed through the culturally rich towns and cities of Dublin, Bunbeg, Kilcar, Limerick, Galway, and Gola Island. The course, AMGT 599: Myth, Music, Stories & Dance: The Arts & Cultural Heritage of Ireland, invited students to network with international arts management organizations and study strategies in Ireland's prominent art communities, while immersing themselves in the historical and cultural arts heritage of Ireland.
This trip provided opportunities to share conversations with Ireland's top arts managers, marketing directors, and heritage and tourism officials. Yet, the experience provided more than just another stop on their itinerary, as Rayna, one student, reflects, "it was magical and informative and immersive and… absolutely exhausting, but in the best way. Every day was a new experience with so much to explore around every bend. We traversed through the enchanting county Donegal, gallivanted through the streets of Galway, and bounded through Dublin. All in a span of 2.5 weeks!"
On the first day, students stepped into Donegal Yarns in Kilcar, a centuries-old traditional mill producing authentic Irish-made tweed yarn, to grasp the traditions of hand spinning and weaving. Students experienced first-hand the production process through a private tour of the inner workings of Donegal Yarns. For many students, the highlight was attending the Donegal Weaving Traineeship program to participate in hand-weaving on heritage looms and converse with master and apprenticeship weavers.
The next two days, students shared conversations with cultural leaders followed by tours of art organizations. These conversations with guest speakers Donnchadh O’Baoill from Udaras Na Gealtachta and Danielle Nic Pháidín (Arts Facilitator at Ealaín na Gaeltachta) gave students a deeper appreciation of the cultural preservation and promotion of the Irish language and landscape. After, students reflected about how the Irish language is intertwined with art initiatives and collaborations through the community arts center and the Gteic initiative.
Soon after that, host families welcomed students in their homes in Galway. Not only did families provide accommodations, they also gave students a glimpse into the local lives of Galway with traditional foods, neighborhood tours, and tips on how to get around the city.
During their homestays in Galway, students attended private tours, held insightful conversations with art managers, and presented their Art Observations projects. The first full day of Galway was devoted to exploring the historical sites of Galway with a private tour guide. They also delved into the city's history by joining Damien Donnellan for a private tour at the Galway City Museum. With a break in between, students had a wonderful time exploring the lively city center and enjoying tasty delights from Murphy's Ice Cream. Students also met with the staff at the Galway Arts center and Town Hall Theatre and enjoyed a boat cruise on Galway Bay.
To explore the enriching experiences of Irish music, students took a day trip to tour to the Irish World Academy of Music & Dance based at the University of Limerick. Deepening their understanding of a musician's life, students met with faculty, staff, and students, explored various spaces and though it took a few tries and missed notes, the students also grasped how to play traditional instruments and experimented with the gamelan at the University of Limerick.
The last few days of the course, students trekked along with Dr. Mackay through the dynamic city of Dublin. They checked out the National Gallery of Art, Irish Writer’s Center, and had conversations with art leaders such as Sean Potts and Bridie Flaherty at the Irish Traditional Music Archives and Ruth McGowan at the Abbey Theatre, where they also attended a memorable Abbey theatre performance. By the end, students departed with a warm note, accompanied with a good-bye dinner and Irish Céilí music and dance performances.
As the trip came to a close, Dr. Mackay reflects that, "through these global interactions it is my goal that our students observe and learn innovative strategies for solving arts management challenges that they can bring back to their local communities and develop collaborative techniques to share their new knowledge and experiences with a wider audience."
If this trip is any sign, the 2027 summer study abroad will be unforgettable. Stay updated on the next AMGT study abroad trip by reaching out to Dr. MacKay at kdawn@gmu.edu!