The history workshop was masterfully planned. It blended the sightseeing of Dublin with the complicated politics and social divide of both Belfast and Derry with the relaxation of the hills and lakes of Sligo in the west. Each day offered a new insight into the people and the history, while building in time for personal interests such as taking a seaweed bath, shopping, or simply reading the paper or catching some music in a pub. For a new teacher of Irish Studies, I found the interactions with people closely connected with ``the troubles`` to be revealing and indispensable. My students are so intrigued with the pictures I`ve taken and the stories behind them. This trip is certainly designed for the traveler looking for the insiders view of the Irish world. You`re more likely to sip a pint at the Felons Club on Falls Road with a fervent nationalist than you are to sip tea with a bus load of tourists in the Ring of Kerry. You`ll find the staff to be knowledgeable, accommodating, and very interested in providing a detailed yet relaxing jaunt about the island.
Patrick Connolly, Berwick Academy, South Berwick, ME
Discovery Tours is a special organization that offers unique experiences for teachers and scholars who are searching for an intimate and challenging enrichment program. From start to finish, the staff of Discovery Tours looks after every detail which allows participants to simply and thoroughly enjoy all that the Emerald Isle has to offer. The Bloomsday Experience struck the delicate balance of studying great Irish literature, seeing the impressive Irish countryside, and sharing time with a wonderful group of people. I would highly recommend this program to any educator who has the opportunity to study abroad.
Ronnie Kane, Lawrenceville School, Lawrenceville, NJ
Discovery Tours provided me with a phenomenal Ireland experience in its Arts Workshop! We packed in an amazing amount of activities. In my individually tailored schedule, I studied set dancing and sean-nos with the area`s foremost teachers. As a group, the places we visited, activities in which we participated, and the people we met gave us historical, artistic, political, and sociological insights into the unique Irish culture.
Linda Luca, Philips Exeter, Byfield, MA
First, I loved wandering around Dublin on Bloomsday following a schedule of events, visiting sights from the book, but mostly I loved running into all sorts of unplanned encounters such as spontaneous readings and discussions with a cast of characters that Joyce would have loved to write into his novels! Our group readings on location were incredibly moving for many of us as we have read and reread these passages in our classrooms and privately – but never in the presence of fellow teachers in the exact locations described in the works of literature. Taking turns reading at Innisfree, for example was one of a collection of moments where we listened to words of love for a place I never dreamt I would see. The structure of the tour allowed for plenty of individual exploration of Sligo and Dublin. Although we opted to join each other for dinner and pints on a nightly basis, we were not necessarily obliged to do so. The pace was perfect for me, arriving just hours after concluding my final days of the school year and in desperate need of some relaxation.
Allyson Montana, Emma Willard School, Troy, NY
I cannot imagine a better way to learn about Ireland`s literature and history than to join the Discovery tour! Our leaders set up a superb tour, presenting us with representatives of the various sides of the ``Troubles,`` as well as historians and literary enthusiasts. We walked all over Dublin with expert guides; we witnessed powerful murals from all perspectives in Belfast; we hiked the magnificent Giants Causeway, and we flourished in the Yeats setting of beautiful Sligo. I had hoped to begin to understand Ireland through this trip and my high expectations were exceeded! Now my Irish historical and literary inquiries have a tremendous foundation. I have students overseas often and was thoroughly impressed with the planning and work our leaders did from start to finish.
Bob Cooley, Northfield Mount Hermon School, Mount Hermon, MA
I had hoped the trip would be a dream come true, and it was. Reciting ``The Lake Isle of Innisfree`` at the island, reciting passages from Dubliners at the sites of the stories, and following Leopold Bloom around Dublin on Bloomsday are amazing experiences for this English teacher, who is now energized to bring her enthusiasm back to the classroom.
Liz Sokolov, The Madeira School, McClean, VA
I have been doing European tours and creative workshops since 1996 and my trip to Sligo with Discovery Tours topped every experience to date. We had a small group which allowed us to venture off the beaten track of most tours to private homes, inaccessible islands, and dance festivals. Poets and writers described to us the legendary 40 shades of green that comprise the Irish landscape. As a painter I was awed by the amazing geological forms in the Sligo area and the skies that were the source of striking changes in light and color from dawn until dusk. This trip fulfilled my treasured dream of touching and being touched by the Irish landscape and will serve as inspiration for many paintings!
Betsy Hubner, Burr & Burton Academy, Manchester, VT
I thought that the workshop was a great mix of literature and culture, of structured time and free time. The information was presented passionately yet unpretentiously, and I really formed some great friendships over the course of the week.
Jonathan Coulombe, Salisbury School, Salisbury, CT
Paramount to the entire experience was the conversation and camaraderie shared by a group of likeminded Joyce and Yeats aficionados. We exchanged ideas, observations and even a few lesson plans as we embarked on what proved to be both an academic exercise and the fulfillment of a pilgrimage. Reading the works of these masters is one thing; witnessing the arena for their inspiration provides a fuller and richer understanding of their works.
David Schmittgens, Stevenson School, Carmel and Pebble Beach, CA
Talking with participants in the recent history of Northern Ireland was both intense and inspiring. I have come away from my travels with discovery tours humbled by the courage it takes to overcome hatred, but more hopeful than before about the human capacity to find a route towards justice and peace.
Jerry Katz, Headmaster, The Park School, Boston, MA
Terrific tour, enlightening, educational and well-planned. We learned so much more about Ireland, both Northern Ireland and the Republic, than we ever would on a standard tour because we met with individuals from various influential groups in both countries and could ask them significant questions. I came away with not only a clearer sense of the deep-seated emotional barriers which can separate people regardless of political settlements, but also with a sense of hope for the future. The tour was intense, thought provoking, and gave a feeling for Ireland`s history, its people, its culture, its beauty, and it was, in addition, most enjoyable along the way.
Jackie Powell, History Teacher and Assistant Head (retired), Mercersburg Academy, Mercersburg, PA
The Discovery Tours team skillfully and efficiently reveals the beauty, history, and character of Ireland. I would recommend this highly individual, creative workshop to anyone searching for a refreshing dose of inspiration!
Sophie Lee, Miss Hall
This trip exceeded my expectations which, frankly, were quite high. Daniel Burt, our illustrious group leader, was knowledgeable, considerate, punctual and forever open to our suggestions and needs. One of the stongest aspects of this trip was its depth. We centered our efforts in Sligo, an absolutely gorgeous town on the northwest coast of Ireland. We rarely went any further than twenty minutes in a van. Because most of our experiences were close at hand, we were developed a strong appreciation for Sligo`s beautiful landscape and people.
Ellen Nelson, The Hill School, Pottstown, PA
For me the trip provided a real connection between long-admired writers and a place I`ve always wanted to visit.
Fred Hardy, Fork Union Military Academy, Fork Union, Virginia
Discovery Tours provides participants with an experience that gratifies the senses and the intellect. Spoiled with fine dining, expertly guided tours, enchanting scenery, and thoughtful workshop programming, you will leave promising that you will return. This is by far the best workshop I have ever attended.
Michelle Chartrand, Pere Rene de Galinee School, Ontario, Canada
During the entire workshop, I never once felt like a tourist.
Donna Anglin, Hamilton High School, Hamilton, Texas
I learned and saw more in a week than I thought possible.
Alison Lobron, Concord Academy, Concord, Massachusetts
I would strongly recommend this trip to anyone who has ever found Ireland, Irish literature, or Irish people to be even remotely intriguing. The experiences – from the travel to the activities – are truly special, inspiring and memorable. In fact, the saddest part of the trip is when you have to board a plane to head home at the end. The lasting effect, though, is that you really want to get back!
Jeffrey R. Neill, Northfield Mount Hermon School, Mount Hermon, Massachusetts
The workshop satisfied as both a vacation and an intellectual adventure, relaxing and stimulating all at once. I would do it again.
Graham Callahan, Avon Old Farms School, Avon, Connecticut
The workshop and the materials provided have helped me immeasurably in setting up my own Irish Lit senior seminar. Not only did I get an amazing amount of really useful analysis and information, but the time I spent in Sligo also energized and inspired me. I was more than satisfied with the course before I even looked at the DVD. Now, I think it’s one of the best investments—for psychic, intellectual, and emotional expansion—that I’ve ever made.
Barry Barankin, Head-Royce School, Oakland, California
To quote from W.B. Yeats, I will always carry my wonderful experience in Ireland, so expertly shaped and led by the friendly DiscoverSligo people, in my ``deep heart`s core.`` Somehow, miraculously, after a relatively short time, I left Ireland feeling as if I knew the countryas well as I might know a ``best friend.`` This miracle was accomplished by a handful of generous, caring people.
Jeffrey Kwitny, Harvard-Westlake School, Los Angeles, California
It`s one thing to go on a scenic tour; it`s one thing to attend a series of lectures presented by learned and passionate scholars. To have the blend of both plus the thrill of being in the front row for a concert of traditional Irish music or sitting at a gourmet dinner while listening to recitations of Yeats` poetry—now that`s the fulfillment of a ``heart`s desire``! I`m ready to do it all over again.
Sarah Tames, Hotchkiss, Lakeville, Connecticut
The Development of Peace in Ireland workshop was an odyssey through the various landscapes of politics, history and culture that make up Ireland . . . We met with a former IRA hunger striker to hear his thoughts on the peace process and visited Stormont and met with representatives from all the political parties in Northern Ireland. . . . The trip provoked a continuing thirst for knowledge on the subject, curriculum development related to Irish Peace Studies for my high school Civics classes and the need to go back again and again to explore the rich history and political dynamics of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Jennifer Grady, Hill Regional High School, New Haven, Connecticut
The workshop really gave me a look at Ireland off the beaten path. I loved the different and interesting venues for our classes. I still talk to people about our class in a castle! The Yeats dinner in a private home made me feel very welcomed after a long transatlantic flight. The workshop offered just the right amount of class time while allowing us to explore the countryside and get a feel for the Irish culture.
Marian Wood, C.D. Hylton High School, Woodbridge, Virginia
Your workshop REALLY helped me teach Irish lit last fall, not just because I was more confident of the history of Ireland, but because I had personal experience of the country, which made the historical issues much more alive in my teaching. I also incorporated many of my photos into a powerpoint to introduce students to the look and feel of Ireland. I think with great fondness of that night hearing early Yeats overlooking Lough Gill, and still get a little chill when I think of driving over the border into Northern Ireland, and then over the border between west and east Belfast. The other wonderful thing was that I felt I was not being lectured at dryly, but was meeting really interesting people with knowledge to share and stories to tell. Thanks again.
Cammy Thomas, Concord Academy, Concord, Massachusetts
For your English teaching colleagues, point them toward the literature workshop. If the taste of Yeats we had is any indication, this will be heaven for them!
Steve McCarthy, Valley Torah High School, Monrovia, California
The Ireland trip was absolutely amazing. I was able to experience Ireland in an extraordinary way that I would not have been able to if I had gone there on a normal family vacation or school trip. One of the most valuable parts of the whole experience was interacting with the local people. I was able to meet students my age and to stay with an Irish family for a few days. Meeting people made the experience more relevant, and it opened my eyes to a greater world view, one outside of the U.S. With Keith, our tour guide, we dove headfirst into the incredible history and rich culture of Ireland. It enabled me to better understand the current political, economic, and social changes that are developing. If I had a chance to repeat this trip in Ireland or any other country, I would do it in a heartbeat. Thank you for the experience of a lifetime!
~Emily Lowe, participant on the spring 2008 Ireland trip