Wandering West Clare

Day 9

On today's trip, we learned a lot about Irish tradition as it relates to the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), and we also took in some views of the beautiful coast along County Clare. Our group began at the Michael Cusack Heritage Centre. This site honors Michael Cusack, who was a key part of the revival of the Gaelic games and teh founder of the GAA. We learned about his belief in using the Gaelic games to preserve and promote Irish heritage throughout the country. We walked the grounds of the center and spent some time in the small hut that he lived in while growing up. We also got a short presentation on his life and legacy. The idea that the GAA was not just about the games but about Irish heritage was reinforced to us by our guides.

After our time there, we departed on the bus for Doolin, a small coastal town. In Doolin, we enjoyed lunch and some shopping as we took in the gorgeous views of the cliffs and the ocean. On our way out of town, we stopped at the pier where we were able to go down to the rocks and appreciate the views of the ocean, which were amazing. It was very eye-opening to have spent a portion of the day in Doolin, as it gave us a new viewpoint on what it is like in a small, coastal Irish town. 

After this, we traveled to Spanish Point and spent a few hours on the beach. Although we were not able to soak up much sun, due to the persistent clouds, we did have fun skipping rocks, watching the waves, and grabbing some coffee in nearby shops. Spanish Point was a beautiful, peaceful and relaxing way to wrap up a long day of travel and sightseeing. 

Throughout the day, we were able to see how both sports heritage and incredible landscapes have helped shape Ireland's identity and have played a key role in tourism development. The story of Michael Cusack shows how sports can preserve a country's heritage, history and traditions, while the scenery shows another part of the country's appeal to tourists and locals alike.

Tomorrow we're headed to the University of Limerick for a tour of their sports complexes and a quick lunch. Then we'll return to Mary I for a lecture on mental and physical well-being within schools.

A few of my favorite quotes of the day:

“Do cows eat beef?” - Jess

“They have beautiful grass here.” - Miles

Written by: Daniel McGonagle

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Welcome to our Journey: Salve Sports Tourism in Ireland

Image
  Welcome to the official blog for Salve Regina University’s Sports Tourism in Ireland program! Over the next few weeks, we invite you to follow along as our students dive into the rich cultural and economic world of sports tourism - all while traveling through one of the most beautiful and historically vibrant countries in the world. This faculty-led academic program brings together 18 students from diverse academic backgrounds to explore how sports shape national identity, tourism development, and international perceptions. Along the way, we’ll have the opportunity to: Attend the Joe McDonagh Cup and the Leinster Hurling Final at Croke Park  Explore the GAA Museum in Dublin   Meet a member of the Limerick City Council who will discuss plans for the Ryder Cup coming to Limerick in 2027   Visit the Cliffs of Moher Learn from the Head of Tourism for County Cork Explore the famous Bunratty Castle  Surf in Lahinch of County Clare And visit many local organi...
Read more

From Boarding Gates to Castle Gates

Image
Day 1 (and a half)   Our trip began yesterday at Logan Airport in Boston, where the group gathered at 3:30 PM for our departure. After checking in with Professor McKillop and Dr. V, we went through TSA and made the most of our airport downtime.. grabbing snacks, exploring terminals, and meeting everyone. Once on board, we were offered dinner: chicken and mashed potatoes or vegetarian pasta. Afterward, many of us caught some much-needed sleep as we went across the Atlantic. Touching down at Shannon Airport around 4:30 AM local time, we made our way to our new home at Courtbrack, our residence for most of the trip. Despite the early arrival, we were welcomed by the friendly staff at Mary Immaculate College (Mary I). We got a chance to see our rooms and unwind before a campus tour to get our bearings straight and learn where to go for lectures. A group lunch at the Mary I cafeteria gave us time to recharge before we headed downtown to explore Limerick City. Our entire group in front o...
Read more

Learning and Trying Gaelic Games

Image
  Day 2 On day 2 of our study abroad trip, we had multiple guest speakers visit and speak to us about the Ryder Cup coming to Limerick in 2027 and Gaelic sports. Our first session of the day focused on our itinerary for the duration of our stay. We learned that we'll be traveling to Galway, Dublin, and Doolin over the next two weeks. After this session, we had Elaine O’Connor, the Ryder Cup 2027 Coordinator for Limerick City Council, come speak to us about the logistics of the event. This is such a massive event, as they will bring tons of high-status people in attendance as well. There is one major challenge in organizing and setting this event up, she explained. It deals with setting up living accommodations and traveling plans for players, families, and high-status individuals. To help with this, O’Connor said she has gone to other prestigious golfing events locally to help understand what needs to be done and what needs to improve to make this the best Ryder Cup and leave an...
Read more