During the 19th Century, the Irish language was in significant decline. Traditional sports like Gaelic football and hurling were being replaced by English sports, and national pride was at an all-time low. We will explore how the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), built on the spirit of volunteerism, got its start and how its significance extends far beyond the realm of sport. By preserving and promoting Irish games, music, dance, and language across an island divided by two countries - Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland - the GAA serves as a bridge, connecting diverse communities, and fostering a shared sense of identity, peace, and belonging.
DAY 1
Introduction to the Gaelic Athletic Association | GAA Jerseys | The Great Irish Famine | Flight to Ireland
Day One of Project Week started on campus with a brief introduction to the Gaelic Athletic Association and the history of its ancient games. We learned that every county in Ireland adopts specific team colors and crests for their GAA jerseys that hold deep cultural and historical significance. A GAA jersey in Ireland is a powerful symbol of identity, community, and heritage, representing far more than just sportswear. Students then designed their own sports jersey with symbols and colors that represent their respective hometowns and presented them to the whole group as a way to learn more about one another.
Next, we read a story about the dreadful conditions during the Great Famine - also known as the "Great Hunger." One million Irish emigrants sailed across the Atlantic in horrific conditions in hopes of a better life, while another million died at home from starvation and fever. To simulate what it may have been like for the poor, food-deprived Irish people who walked 100+ miles from the Irish countryside to the Dublin Docklands, we made shoes using only cardboard and tape and went for a walk around campus.
After lunch, we broke into pairs to research famous Irish actors, authors, musicians, and explorers and their unique contributions to the world. Then it was off to the airport for a red-eye flight to Dublin. Our next update will be from the Emerald Isle!
"One thing that intrigues me about Ireland is the hardship people endured during the Great Famine. When I made my shoes out of cardboard, I had a better understanding of what the journey may have been like for those seeking a better life in North America. My shoes quickly fell apart, and I walked just a fraction of the 100-mile trek many Irish people made." - Max B. '26
"I am looking forward to learning more about the Irish culture overall. From the phrases we learned on the playing cards to the emigration struggles, it is all very intriguing. I can’t wait to get there and have some traditional Irish food and a great time!" - Ross C. '26
DAY 2
EPIC Emigration Museum | Jeannie Johnston Famine Ship | St. Patrick's Cathedral | Irish Dance Party
We arrived in Dublin this morning and boarded a coach bus to our hotel where we dropped our luggage and enjoyed some breakfast before touring the EPIC Irish Emigration Museum and the Jeannie Johnston Replica Famine Ship. At the EPIC Museum, we discovered what it truly means to be Irish through the stories of Irish emigrants who became scientists, athletes, politicians, social advocates, artists, and so much more. We then crossed the street to the docklands to hear harrowing tales of the Irish emigrants who fled Ireland and the Great Irish Famine on the Jeannie Johnston tall ship - which was originally intended to haul timber not humans. Theirs was a treacherous and long voyage to North America - often lasting 6 weeks, sometimes longer. These ships were nicknamed "Coffin Ships" as several passengers did not survive the journey, however, the Jeanie Johnston made 16 voyages with a total of 2,500 passengers and no fatalities.
After lunch we enjoyed a self-guided tour of St. Patrick's Cathedral and attended an Irish dance party where we clapped along to Irish songs, watched professional dancers perform, and even learned some new dance steps ourselves.
"I’ve noticed that despite all the hard times and horrific circumstances that Irish people have faced - from famines to heavy discrimination - they are resilient and are some of the most merry, cheerful people I have ever met. This ability to keep moving forward with a positive outlook on the future, highlights the cultural strength of the Irish people, both past and present." - Grant H. '26
"The Irish Dance Party showed how dancing and music brings people together. The dance party was such a cool experience and will be very memorable due to the fact that the energy and the spirits of the people were high. The dancing, which I wasn’t so sure about, turned out to be such a great experience and brought our group closer." - Izabelle C. '27
DAY 3
Na Fianna GAA Club | Croke Park | GAA Museum
This morning we visited CLG Na Fianna, one of nearly 200 GAA clubs in Dublin, and host of the Gaelic Games Experience. This was a 3-hour, hands-on activity that introduced us to Ireland's indigenous sports of Gaelic Football, Handball, and Hurling. The session was about far more than sports ... it was a deep dive into Irish culture and history. We learned that the Gaelic Athletic Association is a unique, volunteer-led amateur sporting organization in Ireland, where men, women, and children come together to play and socialize, fostering a sense of community and national pride. Players and coaches at all levels, including the inter-county level, receive no salary and play simply for the love of their local county.
We worked up quite an appetite from playing sports all morning, so we headed to a local carvery named Fagan's for lunch. This casual pub-based dining experience featured freshly carved roasted meals (beef, turkey, and ham) with all the fixings (potatoes, carrots, gravy, and more)!
"Going to Croke Park was one of the highlights of the whole trip so far for me. It was the best sports stadium I’ve ever been in. It was clear how important native sports are to the Irish. The thing that stuck out most to me is that none of the athletes get paid. Even with 82,500 fans in attendance, they don’t expect money. They see it as a privilege to play for the county they grew up in. This, in my opinion, shows how humble the people of Ireland are. They have full-time jobs, but they take time out of their busy days to train, play games, sign autographs for fans, and teach clinics, which I think is just incredible." - Kiara D. '27
DAY 4
Bus Tour of Northern Ireland | Dunluce Castle | Giant's Causeway | Black Cab Tour of Belfast | Peace Walls & Murals
We got an early start today as our full-day coach bus tour of Northern Ireland departed at 7am! Our first stop was Dunluce Castle. Built in the 13th century, it is one of Ireland's most dramatic and storied ruins. Perched on a sheer cliff high above the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean, the castle looks almost unreal. The castle was also used as a filming location for "Game of Thrones."
After spending 30 minutes at the castle, we boarded the bus and headed to The Giant's Causeway. This UNESCO World Heritage site was created more than 60 million years ago! The 40,000 interlocking columns are made of basalt, a type of volcanic rock which forms when lava cools and contracts, creating hexagonal shapes.
Our last stop was in Belfast where we took a Black Cab Tour given by local taxi drivers using the classic London-style black taxis. These tours are famous for explaining the history of "The Troubles" - a long-standing conflict between mainly Protestant unionists who wanted Northern Ireland to remain under UK rule, and Catholic nationalists who wanted a united Ireland. Our taxi drivers had lived through the conflict themselves and were able to share many powerful personal stories with us.
The "peace gates" in Belfast are large metal gates that separate neighborhoods that had become divided during "The Troubles." Originally built in 1969, there are still over 100 walls and gates across Belfast today. Many of the gates are locked in the evening and reopen in the morning for safety reasons.
Thousands of visitors, including several famous people (Nelson Mandela, Dalai Lama, Bill Clinton, and Rhianna to name a few), have written messages of hope on the painted Peace Walls.
"Our trip to Northern Ireland today was outstanding. Observing the nature during the drive was only the beginning of what was to come. When we arrived at the Dunluce Castle I saw these rugged stone remnants in a grassy field, but it wasn’t until we crossed the slippery bridge that I saw the waves crashing on the rocks below. The beauty of the coastline was magical, like nothing I had ever seen before. Viewing it from such a high advantage point made it feel so different from any other coastline I had seen. This castle made the largest impression on me because it was what I was waiting to see. I was hoping there would be a place or a moment that just felt so surreal, and the Dunluce Castle definitely delivered." - Eli A. '27
"The place that had the biggest impression on me today was the black cab tour where they showed us all the murals in Belfast and explained everything that has happened in Northern Ireland. I never knew that people experienced war with others in the same city and that it is still a problem today." - Juan G. '28
DAY 5
Train to Galway | E-Bike Tour | Connacht Rugby Match
We left Dublin and headed to Galway on the Irish Rail this morning. As luck would have it, Mrs. Williams, Grant, and Mr. Lebrun shared a booth with a native Dubliner who happened a be a hurler and a GAA referee. They had a great conversation over the 2.5 hour train ride and learned even more about the GAA and its positive impact on the Irish people. After lunch at another cozy pub, we met up with our e-bike tour operator, Alex, and got fitted for our bikes and helmets. We explored the streets of Galway from Eyre Square to Salthill - a seaside village on the shores of Galway Bay. We stopped for a picture in front of the colorful 18th century houses in an area known as "The Long Walk," as well as the Blackrock Diving Tower and the University of Galway. We were told that many people swim every day of the year in Galway.
We capped off our first day in Galway by attending a rugby match between the home team Connacht and the Welsh Scarlets in the United Rugby Championship. Connacht held on for a 31-14 victory much to the delight of the crowd.
"There are more differences between Galway and Dublin than I originally thought. The people in Galway, including our bike guides, were extremely friendly. Even the motorists and the pedestrians were kind to us. The architecture is a little different too. Here in Galway it feels a little more medieval and colorful. At the rugby game, there was definitely a lot of pride and spirit from the crowd and players. I have never been to a game with so much enthusiasm as this one." - Sonja C. '27
"One thing that stood out about Galway compared to Dublin is how much smaller and relaxed it feels. Galway has a more laid back atmosphere with street performers and smaller shops. People have more grit - we saw some "vikings" jumping in the freezing water. It feels very community-focused and a lot cleaner than Dublin. And there was a ton of energy at the rugby game." - Joe D. '27
DAY 6
Shopping in Galway's Latin Quarter | Gaelic Football Game | Galway City Museum
The sun was shining brightly when we walked to the "Latin Quarter" to shop and explore. This area is the historic and cultural heart of Galway. A few of us bought items from the Aran Sweater Market, Thomas Dillon Jewelers (the original makers of the Claddagh Ring), CoffeeWerk and Magpie - two highly tauted coffee and pastry shops.
We got caught in our only real downpour since arriving in Ireland. Luckily it didn't last long and we were still able to take in a local Gaelic Football game later in the afternoon.
Next up was a guided tour at the Galway City Museum where we learned about the history of Galway: from the early settlers of fishermen who settled in the village of Claddagh to the Anglo-Normans who arrived in the 13th century and built walls around the city to protect it. Years later, 14 powerful merchant families known as the "Tribes of Galway" controlled trade and government in the city and made Galway one of Ireland's most prosperous ports. Like much of Ireland, Galway suffered during the Great Famine and poverty and emigration caused the city's population to fall. Today, Galway is the cultural center of the west of Ireland known for its music, festivals, arts, and education.
We had a hard time finding a place to eat dinner tonight as every pub in Galway was jam packed with fans who were cheering on Ireland's national rugby team which was competing in the Six Nations Championship against Scotland. It was so fun to see the passion that people of all ages had for Team Ireland. There was singing, clapping, and plenty of hugs as Ireland pulled off the victory.
It's hard to believe Project Week is coming to an end. We took one last walk around the city and saw a traditional Galway Hooker boat lit up in green lights for St. Patrick's Day. These boats are wooden sail boats with reddish-brown sails that are treated with bark for durability. The boats were mainly used by fishermen to transport goods back in the day. The Galway GAA teams have adopted the maroon color of the sails as a main color for their uniforms.
"In Ireland, the GAA sports are played at an amateur level and you usually play for the same team throughout your career. Players play for pride and don’t expect to get paid. But in the US, leagues like MLS, NFL, and NBA make billions of dollars and get a lot of spectators from different parts of the world. Professional US teams are made up of players from many different countries and states rather than local amateur clubs like in Ireland. Another example is high school basketball in the US. These players play for their schools, but they also play to get the chance to be recruited to college or to a professional team. In Ireland, they are happy to play for their county and to represent their communities. Although sports help bring people together and build identity in both places, sports have a different emphasis in Ireland than in the USA." - Jesus C. '27
"Honestly, you can just feel that sports play a significant role in Ireland. Nearly everybody in Ireland learns to play hurling as soon as they can hold a hurl. We got to see firsthand the lengths Irish people are willing to go in order to celebrate their heritage. They have built stadiums capable of housing nearly a hundred thousand people - and established 2,200 clubs throughout all 32 counties in Ireland. In fact, a common saying around Ireland is that, "In any Irish town, there will always be two things: a pub and a club.” The Irish treat every game like it’s the Super Bowl, celebrating everybody at every level, following the GAA’s motto of “where everyone belongs.” - Grant H. '26
We learned so much this week! Go raibh maith agat, a Eire! (Thank you, Ireland!)
Credits:
Created with an image by Мар'ян Філь - "Hurling equipment on frosty grass field on a winter morning.,A hurl, sliotar, and helmet rest on frost-covered field, symbolizing the heritage of hurling"