IRELAND Galway
Dublin
Aran Islands
Celtic Sea 0
60
MILES
I felt accomplished when I “ realized I had written every day, DAYS 5–7 GALWAY Travel west from Dublin, passing through boglands and rolling green hills and stopping to photograph glassy lakes and fluffy sheep along the way. Artsy, seaside Galway— sometimes called Ireland’s most Irish city—is our base on the dramatic west coast. From here, explore the Gaeltacht, where Ireland’s traditional ways of life hold strong and Irish (Gaelic) is still the language of the land. Together with your peers, transform your exploration of this city into poetry and prose, or hone your photography skills as you capture the beautiful and complex spirit of Galway and its people. Listen to live Irish music, replete with the traditional sounds of fiddles and spoons; draft a series of profiles on local shopkeepers; or photograph everyday life on the streets of Galway and the quays along the River Corrib. Take in the films, art exhibits, live music, and theater of the Galway International Arts Festival. Venture into the countryside to explore village life. Visit family-run dairies and sheep farms, chat with locals over a traditional Irish breakfast, and wander past thatched-roof homes lining cobblestoned streets. DAYS 8–11 THE ARAN ISLANDS Hop a ferry for a four-day photo and writing assignment on the magical Aran Islands, where writers such as J. M. Synge found
inspiration among Celtic ruins and barren expanses of limestone. Walk atop craggy cliffs overlooking the North Atlantic and visit the ruins of ancient fortresses, castles, and churches to capture a sense of place in your writing or photography. Talk to local shopkeepers, farmers, fishermen, and innkeepers about their daily lives; and let the mystical atmosphere of the islands fuel your imagination as we work to put the finishing touches on our projects.
filling up half a notebook with blossoming ideas and stories. It was an all-around incredible experience that will continue to influence me as I grow as a writer and a person. —Katee F. IRELAND, 2016
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DAYS 12–14 DUBLIN Return to Dublin for a student-organized public show of the photography, poetry, and prose created during your expedition. Celebrate your accomplishments with your group before flying home the following day.
DATES & TUITION 2017 DATE: JULY 13–26 TUITION: $5,390 Airfare is not included. We have arranged a roundtrip group flight between New York and Dublin. Refer to page 70 for transportation details. ACCOMMODATIONS: In Dublin, we stay in dormitory-style accommodations north of the River Liffey, a short walk from the bustle of the city’s center. During our time on the western coast, we stay in small, family-run hostels and university housing.
APPLY ONLINE AT NGSTUDENTEXPEDITIONS.COM
MEET YOUR EXPERT MELISSA FARLOW Melissa Farlow has worked on over 20 projects for National Geographic in South America, Quebec, Alaska, the Alps, and throughout the American West. Melissa worked extensively in Yellowstone, Yosemite, Redwoods, and Olympic for a story on issues facing America’s National Parks. From an early age, Melissa had a passion for horses and she recently co-produced Wild at Heart, a young adult book that focuses on mustangs and teens that are trying to save them to preserve America’s wild horse legacy. Melissa has photographed throughout Ireland on a book assignment for TIME, and looks forward to joining the group in Galway and the Aran Islands.
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