Overview

Explore the passionate history, world-renowned culture, breathtaking landscape, and welcoming people of the Emerald Isle. Course No. 8026

Ireland is arguably one of the most enchanting places to visit in the entire world. Split between the independent Republic of Ireland and the British Northern Ireland, the Emerald Isle is home to breathtaking natural scenery; world-renowned artistic and cultural achievements; and a mysterious, passionate, and, at times, turbulent history. From the spectacular vistas of the Cliffs of Moher to the hallowed stage of the Abbey Theatre, a tour of this magical island rewards even armchair travelers with a unique array of historical, cultural, and scenic delights.

The Great Tours: Ireland and Northern Ireland gives you the chance to traverse this amazing land with a leading scholar in the field of Irish history, culture, and literature. Taught by Professor Marc C. Conner, president of Skidmore College, these 24 captivating lessons give you a sweeping tour of the Emerald Isle, providing an insider’s look at the people and places that make this island so special.

Along the way, Professor Conner explores the essential elements of the Irish identity. You’ll reflect on the myths associated with otherworldly places like the Giant’s Causeway, and the Christian symbols carved into the high crosses of Clonmacnoise. You’ll visit the haunts of literary giants like W. B. Yeats and James Joyce. You’ll stop at a pub in the tiny village of Doolin, a legendary center of traditional music. And you’ll visit sites that are living testaments to Ireland’s long struggle for independence.

Throughout this course, not only will you visit some of the most famous sites in world geography, but you will also experience the poetry, the passion, and the melody of Ireland—truly an enchanting and enlightening journey!

Course Structure

01: A Destination like No Other

Begin your course with a look at two of Ireland’s most iconic tourist spots, the Rock of Cashel and the Guinness Brewery. These sites represent a microcosm of the fascinating story of Ireland, as well as an introduction to the people and the landscape of the Emerald Isle.

Duration: 30 min

02: Prehistoric and Celtic Ireland

Ireland is steeped in myth, its ancient history shrouded in mystery. Investigate the origins of civilization in Ireland by visiting several ancient sites, including Newgrange and the great Hill of Tara. See what the beautiful ruins can tell us about the Celtic people, their religion, and some of the marvelous myths of Irish history.

Duration: 30 min

03: Early Christian and Medieval Ireland

St. Patrick is one of the greatest figures in Irish history, inextricably linked to the story of both the island and Christianity. Here, visit several important sites: Croagh Patrick in western Ireland, St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin town, and the Clonmacnoise monastery in the center of Ireland.

Duration: 30 min

04: Ireland during the Protestant Ascendancy

Much of Irish history involves its entanglement with Great Britain. From the Norman castles to the battlefield of Aughrim to the Georgian architecture in Dublin, the Irish landscape is imbued with relics of British imperialism. Explore the British-Irish divide, which is also a Catholic-Protestant divide.

Duration: 30 min

05: From the Easter Rising to the Present Day

Round out your survey of Irish history with an exploration of the 20th century. Stops on your tour include the general post office in Dublin, which played a critical role in the 1916 uprising; the town of Derry, home of the infamous Bloody Sunday tragedy; and a typical modern farmhouse in the Irish countryside.

Duration: 31 min

06: Dublin’s Fair City

Shift your attention to modern-day Dublin, the focus of the next several lessons. Here, you will consider the vestiges of the city’s medieval roots, including the wood quay that marks the site of the Viking invasion and St. Audoen’s Gate, a relic of the old walled city. Then, take a tour of Dublin Castle and Trinity College.

Duration: 31 min

07: Dublin Today, South and North of the Liffey

Dublin today is one of the most dynamic, cosmopolitan, and exciting cities in all of Europe, and the beauty of Dublin is that it remains a walker’s city. Join Professor Conner for a walking tour of Dublin, from St. Stephen’s Green to the Liffey River and O’Connell Bridge to the Abbey Theatre, and more.

Duration: 31 min

08: The Churches of Dublin

One of the most distinctive characteristics of Irish culture is its rich and complex religious history. Since the churches of Dublin are particularly potent examples of this characteristic, embark on a tour of Christ Church, St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, and a variety of smaller churches that are “hidden gems” of Dublin.

Duration: 31 min

09: The Museums of Dublin

Dublin is blessed with some of the finest museums in the world, museums that purpose to specifically tell the Irish story—especially if you know what to look for. In this lesson, Professor Conner guides you through the National Museum of Ireland for Archaeology, the Chester Beatty Museum, the National Museum of Natural History, the National Gallery, and more.

Duration: 32 min

10: Day Trips from Dublin

If you have a week to spend in Dublin, your visit wouldn’t be complete without a few excursions to the countryside. Learn about the attractive village of Slane, the astonishing monastic settlement of Monasterboice, and the mysterious Wicklow Mountains, home of the unforgettable site of Glendalough.

Duration: 32 min

11: Kilkenny, the Rock of Cashel, and Cahir

From Dublin, Professor Conner takes you on a grand loop around Ireland, starting with the fascinating town of Kilkenny. Enjoy the breathtaking expanse of Kilkenny Castle with its strategic view of the River Nore. After touring Kilkenny, you will revisit the Rock of Cashel as well as Cahir Castle, two essential stops for the serious traveler.

Duration: 30 min

12: Exploring Cork

County Cork is the southernmost county in Ireland, and the city of Cork is the third-most populous city of the island. Investigate Cork’s place in Irish history, and then take a tour of the city, from the quays along the river to the art gallery and the Custom House. Round out your visit with a study of St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral and Blarney Castle.

Duration: 30 min

13: Killarney and the Ring of Kerry

Continue your loop around Ireland by traveling southwest to County Kerry, known for its long history of independence and rugged pride. Here, the history is profound, but it is the landscape that is most astonishing; it’s among the most beautiful in all of Ireland. Visit the abbeys, parks, and farms of this extraordinary corner of Ireland.

Duration: 30 min

14: The Dingle Peninsula

Of all the magical places in Ireland, perhaps none is as special as the Dingle Peninsula, in the far west of County Kerry. Here you may find the Irish language spoken as the everyday language of commerce and conversation. The language, the poetry, the traditional music, the history, and the archaeology all make this stop an unforgettable part of any Irish journey.

Duration: 32 min

15: North Kerry, from Tralee to the Shannon

Conclude your tour of County Kerry with an exploration of the region known as North Kerry. Sheer cliffs, rocky hikes, geological wonders, and enchanting lakes will give you the feeling of being alone in the misty deeps of the past. Professor Conner also takes you into the town of Tralee and other nearby villages.

Duration: 30 min

16: Clare and Galway, the Heart of the West

County Clare and County Galway are the central counties on the western seaboard of Ireland, and they are known for their traditional Irish music, their remarkable literature, their lush greenlands, and the dramatic rocky landscapes that give such contrast and beauty to the scenery in this part of Ireland. Sites in this amazing region include the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, Galway City, and more.

Duration: 30 min

17: Traveling Ireland’s Northwest

Venture through the sweeping country from Galway to Sligo, a region that is among the wildest and most picturesque in all of Ireland. Professor Conner ferries you out to the Aran Islands, over to the Kylemore Abbey, and on to the famous shrine to St. Mary at Knock. This lesson ends with a look at the ancient town of Sligo and rugged County Donegal.

Duration: 31 min

18: The Ireland of W. B. Yeats

A native of Sligo, the poet W. B. Yeats captured the spirit of Ireland like none other. Visiting some of the locations he wrote about—including the inspiration for “The Lake Isle of Innisfree” and the mountain Ben Bulben—gives you a new appreciation for both the country and the poet, as well as an understanding of Yeats’s role in the Irish Revival.

Duration: 33 min

19: The Irish Revival in Literature and Art

The struggle for Irish independence in the early 20th century is one of the most remarkable periods in world history, accompanying a flourishing of great literature and art. In this lesson, Professor Conner introduces you to the artistic era and its key figures, including Yeats, Lady Gregory, J. M. Synge, James Joyce, and many more.

Duration: 34 min

20: James Joyce’s Ireland

James Joyce is the most acclaimed of all the world-famous Irish writers. He is also, perhaps, the most resolutely Irish writer who has ever lived. Meet this brilliant, eccentric writer and examine the relationship between his biography and the story of Ireland. Encounter the places he immortalized in his great work.

Duration: 32 min

21: Experiencing Belfast

One cannot understand Ireland without understanding the North, and while Northern Ireland is part of Great Britain, it is also unmistakably Irish. After an introduction to the country and its troubled history, this lesson takes you inside the Belfast of today. Gain a visceral sense of the deep-seated conflict that underlies this beautiful and fascinating city.

Duration: 33 min

22: Northern Ireland beyond Belfast

While Northern Ireland retains evidence of sectarian strife, it also is home to some of the most stunning and beautiful landscapes on the island, as well as places of great historic and cultural interest. Learn about Carrickfergus Castle, traverse the Giant’s Causeway, check out the Bushmills Distillery, and reflect on the town of Derry.

Duration: 33 min

23: Pub Life and Traditional Irish Music

Traditional Irish music is deeply rooted in Ireland’s past, intrinsically connected to the countryside, and known the world over. Experience Ireland’s pub life, have a drink, and encounter the music, ambience, and hospitality you can’t find anywhere else. Your pub crawl includes Dublin’s Brazen Head, O’Connor’s in the rural west, and others. Cheers!

Duration: 31 min

24: Ireland in Film and Sport

Music, pubs, and poetry might be the first aspects of Irish culture that you think about, but films also embody the spirit of Ireland. See how The Quiet Man, Ryan’s Daughter, and others led to a star-studded native film industry. Your great tour concludes with a look at Irish sports, and the way Gaelic football, hurling, and golf are important to Irish culture today.

Duration: 37 min