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Irish culture
is filled with music, dance, poetry, and a warm hospitality that invites you to share in all its splendor. A journey through Ireland echoes with ghosts of the past: Druids, Vikings, Medieval castles, Oliver Cromwell, harsh famines, and the struggles for peace. With days full of service, adventure, and interaction with our Irish friends, we will explore this magical island and introduce ourselves to the history, landscape, and people that make it so enchanting.
 Drogheda & Dublin (4 days) – After our arrival to Dublin, we head north to Drogheda to make our home at the Greendoor Hostel. An
afternoon of teambuilding at Bettystown Beach and an evening on the River Boyne gives us time to come together as a group and get to know one another. Drogheda and Dublin are two of Ireland's
oldest and most historically rich cities. Starting our trip here provides us with an incredible gateway to the Boyne Valley and
some significant events in history: The Battle of the Boyne, Cromwell's Siege, and the surrender of the Irish Chieftains to the English King. Our exploration and tour of the Boyne area and New
Grange helps create a cultural and historical context for rest of our journey. A full day trip to the musical, beautiful city of Dublin will allow time for some sightseeing, shopping on Grafton Street,
and authentic Irish fish and chips!
 Longford (2 days) After our days of orientation and teambuilding in
Drogheda, we take a short trip to Longford to begin our first service project! Joining with the Irish Woodland Trust, we spend two days learning about conservation efforts in Ireland while helping plant tree
saplings!
 Errigal (5 days) Next, we journey to the village of Errigal for a day of adventure (a hike up majestic Mount Errigal!), an Irish music
night, and our second service project! In the town of Annagary, not far from Errigal, we travel daily to work with Brendan Bradley, our friend and the director of Survivors of Trauma, an organization
that addresses issues of Peace, Healing, and Reconciliation in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Here we explore the issues surrounding and including the personal and cultural impact of "The
Troubles." We will hear firsthand stories and work to develop the "Safe House" that is used to give families a place of respite, as well to give communities and organizations a place to do peace and healing work.
 County Donegal (4 days) –Anne Gallagher, the founder of Seeds of Hope
, another important grassroots organization addressing issues of Peace, Healing, and Reconciliation in Ireland, Northern Ireland, and around the world, warmly welcomes us to Donegal,
Rossnowlaugh, and Rossnowlaugh beach! With warm, friendly community members and local youth, we continue to help design and develop the Seeds of Hope Peace Cairn in Rossnowlaugh,
participate in a "Day of Peace," and take part in a beach cleanup. A Gaelic football lesson, some incredibly exciting surfing lessons with the Donegal Adventure Center, and an evening full of
music will help round out our days of work.
 The West of Ireland (11 days) -- The West is home to dramatic landscapes: towering seaside cliffs, the moon-like Burren, bog lands,
and breathtaking mountain views. Beautiful Kylemore Abbey and its Farmhouse, where we will eat and sleep respectively, are our next "home-away-from-home." Just down the road is Connemara National
Park, where education and conservation efforts are on going. We will lend a hand to trail projects and learn about Ireland's unique and
disappearing bog lands and native species. When our service work is finished, we'll visit the town of Clifden, go hiking, learn some traditional Irish dances, and voyage back in time to explore the
famed Aran Island of Inishmore. There we will stay overnight, bike, hike, and visit the sights of this storied island. After our trip to Inishmore, we will return to Kylemore for a short stay before
heading south to the Burren. Along the way to our final destination, we will make an afternoon stop in the charming city of Galway to stretch our legs, listen to street musicians, and do some last
minute souvenir shopping. To round out our journey, we end in the unique limestone landscape of the Burren. We'll visit the beautiful Cliffs of Moher, go caving with the Burren Outdoor Education Center
, share in a lovely last dinner and perform closing ceremonies before flying home from Shannon. As the trip comes to a close, you
will no doubt acknowledge the spirit and magic you've uncovered on this incredible Emerald Isle, and you'll want to return again and again. Please check our website for more information, photos,
and testimonials! This is a journey you will not want to miss!
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