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myguideIreland assists Faculty Leaders or Tour Leaders in planning, developing and booking Educational tours for groups ranging from 10 upwards.
Schools and Universities have been sending groups to Ireland to learn more about it’s varied history and culture. Groups travel to Southern Ireland and more recently more and more groups are travelling to Northern Ireland to learn more about the six counties and its troubled past.
Find out how we can put together a tour to remember - Contact
Suzanne, our Group Vacation manager, now!
Examples of some locations a Group can visit on an Educational Tour with some history attached regarding each area:
Dublin
Dublin's official establishment date was when it was founded as a Viking settlement in 988 A.D. although evidence of it's existence dates back to the second century in which it was known by the name 'Eblana'. The first settlers of the city were the Norman Vikings and many artefacts, old walls and buildings have been uncovered on the first site, Wood Quay, in the present City Centre.
Dublin was captured in the 9th century by the Danes. The rebellious Irish took control of Dublin from the Danes on a number of occasions during the next three centuries, In 1171 the Danes were expelled by the Anglo-Normans, led by Henry II, king of England.
After Independence Dublin became the political, economic, and cultural center of Ireland. The location of the Government of Ireland, Dail Eireann, assembles in Leinster House, Dublin. The Four Courts, seat of Ireland's judiciary, and the Custom House are excellent examples of Dublin's late 18th-century architecture. Both buildings were damaged heavily during the Civil War but have been restored.
South of the river is Dublin Castle, which was begun in 1204 and was almost totally rebuilt in Georgian style in the 18th century. Dublin Castle was the seat of English authority in Ireland until 1922. Today it is the site of the inaugurations of Ireland's presidents. Near the castle are Christ Church and St. Patrick's, Dublin's two Protestant cathedrals. Both date from Dublin's earliest days as a Viking settlement.
They were extensively rebuilt by the Anglo-Norman invaders of the late 12th and early 13th centuries and were again rebuilt in the 19th century. Ireland's original Parliament House, now the Bank of Ireland in College Green, dates from the 18th century and is also in Georgian style.
Cork
According to tradition Cork was founded by St Finnbarre in the 7th century. He built an abbey there. Its name comes from the Gaelic Corcaigh, which means marshy place. For centuries the abbey at Cork flourished and it was famous for learning. However in 820 the Vikings raided the abbey and the settlement nearby. The Vikings then created their own town on an island in the River Lee.
During the Middle Ages Cork was a busy port and an important town. Animal hides and woollen cloth were exported from Cork and wine (the drink of the upper class) was imported.
In Cork there were also the same craftsmen you would find in any Medieval town such as blacksmiths, potters and shoemakers.
Cork in the 19th century
In the early 19th century the population of Cork dramatically increased. By the middle of the 19th century Cork had a population of about 80,000. Some of this was due to immigration from the countryside as people fled from poverty.
From the time of the potato famine -1847 - onwards Cork was the main port for emigrants from Ireland to the USA and other countries. It remained the main port for emigrants well into the 20th century as vast numbers of people fled extreme poverty.
The industries of brewing, distilling, wool and shipbuilding took place during the 19th century. Cork was also, an important port and during this time large numbers of Irish people emigrated from Cork.
Buildings of Cork
Parliament Bridge was built in 1806. A new Custom House was built in Cork in 1818. Cork County Goal was built in 1825. The Court House was built in 1835. Cork Workhouse was built in 1840. Cork City Goal was designed in 1867.
A number of improvements took place during the 19th century in Cork. In 1825 Cork gained gas light. The Cork Examiner (Newspaper) was first published in 1841. The railway reached Cork in 1849. Also in 1849 University College Cork opened. The first fire brigade in Cork was formed in 1877. The first public library in Cork opened in 1892. Mercy Hospital was founded in 1857. A Statue of Father Matthew was erected in 1864. St Mary's and St Anne's Cathedral was built in 1808 but it burned down in 1820 and had to rebuilt. St Patrick's Church was built in 1836. St Fin Barre's Cathedral was consecrated in 1870
Present Day Cork
Cork was chosen to be European City of Culture in 2005.
Cork city boasts the deepest natural harbour in Ireland with direct ferry crossings to UK and mainland Europe. Cork International Airport has direct flights to the UK and parts of Europe and connecting flights to other European and American destinations.
Cork is a university city with a total student population in excess of 25,000. The city has two main third level education institutes – University College Corm and the Institute of Technology. The city has a thriving commercial, social and cultural sector.
The city’s well balanced economy has attracted many major companies to the area. Manufacturing, especially electronics, telecommunications, ICT and Health, Pharmaceutical (8 of the top 10 companies in the world) are located in the greater Cork area. The services sector is also well developed.
Cork city’s commitment and contribution to the Arts and cultural life is well established. The city is home to several galleries, museums. National Sculpture Factory, dance Theatres and artist workshops. The city also boasts a year long calendar of festivals ranging from folk, jazz, choral and film.
Galway
Galway City is steeped in History and Culture. It is known as the City of Tribes. The city takes its name from that of the river the Gaillimh. The word Gaillimh means "stony" as in "stony river".
Situated at the mouth of the River Corrib Galway was founded by Anglo-Norman settlers in the 12th century and incorporated as a city in 1484, the city is as rich in heritage as it is in modern attractions. The 1996 census revealed Galway to be one of the fastest growing cities in Europe, rising from 50, 853 inhabitants in 1991 to 57, 241 in 1996.
Often referred to as the 'Capital of the West', Galway is a cultural Mecca of sorts, attracting thousands every year to the many lively festivals hosted by the town. A few of the biggest attractions are the Galway Film Fleadh, the Galway Arts Festival, the Galway Races and the Oyster Festival. In addition to its status as a centre of language, art and culture, Galway is home to nearly 13, 000 students during the academic year, many of which attend the National University of Ireland, Galway; the Galway Mayo Institute of Technology; or one of the many language schools in the area.
County Galway
The surrounding County Galway is the second largest county in Ireland; surpassed only by County Cork. And because nearly one-half of its 132, 000 inhabitants live in the County Borough (Galway City) the area retains an old -world charm.
The region features many attractions, including the single largest Gaeltacht in Ireland - an area in South Connemara where Irish has always been the first language. And as the nation's centre for the Irish language, Galway was the natural choice for the all Irish radio station Radio na Gaeltachta and TG4 the Irish television station. Other enticements include the stunning landscapes of Connemara, the celebrated Aran Islands, and the many lakes throughout the countryside; the largest of which, Lough Corrib, is over 43 kilometers long.
Find out how we can put together a tour to remember - Contact Suzanne, our Group Vacation manager, now!
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