CUA Summer Course in Ireland, Part I: Cork and Kerry
It is proposed that this course would take place over the course of two and a half weeks in two core locations in the south and southwest of Ireland – Cork and Kerry respectively. Students will begin this part of the summer course in Cork city, where they will spend four days learning about the region generally, and the role and place of the Irish language in Ireland. They will then spend one week in the Irish-speaking region of Ballyferriter in Co. Kerry, before returning to Cork to spend their final week gaining an insight into the historical, political and cultural events, which have shaped the Ireland of today.
Location Rationale:
CUA has pre-existing links with University College Cork (UCC), in Cork city. The aim would be to utilize facilities at UCC, such as classrooms and student accommodation, during the Cork module of the course. One of the reasons for choosing Ballyferriter in Co. Kerry as a destination for another module is because it is home to one of the six Gaeltachtaí [Gayl-tuk-tee] (Irish speaking regions) in Ireland. Dun Chíomháin, situated in Ballyferriter is also a University center of University College Cork. It would be hoped that this facility could be used as accommodation for CUA students during their stay. If this were not to be possible, however, there are other options such as the local hostel and B&B (bed and breakfast) accommodation.
Both locations will act as a living classroom for CUA’s students, where they will have the opportunity of visiting sites of major historical, cultural, political, economic and linguistic relevance. They will also gain first hand experience of the complexity of Irish identity and the bilingual nature of Ireland. This coupled with their time spent in Dublin will give students an appreciation for Ireland’s multi-faceted social and cultural identity.
Aims:
The course aims to provide students with an insight into the bilingual identity of Ireland, as well as an insight into the development of Ireland, historically and culturally. They will also learn to communicate through the Irish language while spending time in its natural environment. The settings of urban Cork and rural Ballyferriter would appear at first hand to contrast with one another. However, they compliment one another also, and in many ways they mirror the complexities of Irish society and identity. They will, therefore, offer a portal through which to view Ireland and its many realities - a bastion of Gaelic identity, Anglo-Irish identity, modern Irish identity, a place with close ties to continental Europe, the United States and the wider world. Despite this and perhaps because of this, Ireland today is very much a modern European country, which continues to develop and evolve. Through time spent in these two locations, students will be provided with an interesting and thought provoking setting through which to view the Ireland of today.
1. Kerry / Ballyferriter
The Gaeltacht
The Irish language is one of Ireland’s most fragile natural resources and there are six Gaeltachtaí (Irish speaking regions) in Ireland. These are located in Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Cork, Waterford and Meath. While everybody living in the Gaeltacht regions can speak English, the everyday language of these communities is Irish. These regions are, therefore, important as they maintain the continuity of the Irish tradition, and provide the perfect environment for people who wish to become proficient in Irish.
Students will take a one-week Irish language course in the Gaeltacht village of Ballyferriter, on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry. The language course will be suitable for students who have no prior experience of the Irish language. Here students will participate in Irish language classes, along with enjoying afternoon tours of the region. Students will learn to speak Irish and gain the full benefit of interacting with locals whose first language is Irish. They will also learn about the archaeology, history, folklore and musical heritage of the area. The Great Blasket Island is a short ferry ride from the nearby village of Dún Chaoin, and students will have the opportunity of visiting the island.
Gaeltacht: Tours / Activities
The Blasket Islands:
The Great Blasket Island is located on the very edge of Europe, off the coast of the Dingle Peninsula in Co. Kerry. Island life there was based around subsistence fishing and farming. The Blasket Island community declined due to the continuous emigration of its young people, and the island was eventually evacuated in 1953. Despite this, a rich legacy of language, culture, music and literature endures for us to enjoy to this day. The small but extremely significant body of literature, which emerged from the Blasket Islands in the 1920s and 1930s, was written in the Irish language. These books, which told of island life, are considered classics in the world of literature.
Gallarus Oratory
One of the most famous landmarks on the Dingle Peninsula, Gallarus Oratory is believed to have been an early Christian Church. It is estimated that the oratory was built between the 6th and 9th centuries. It is made of stone and remarkably well preserved, having remained water tight, despite the formidable elements of the Atlantic coast, for over 1200 years.
Riasc Monastic Settlement
Riasc is the location of the ruins of a 6th century monastery and carved stone. It includes a number of beehive shaped monastic huts (clochán) as well as the remains of a square oratory and inscribed slabs including the Riasc Stone.
2. Cork:
During this module students will learn about the history of Cork, and it’s central role in Irish historical and political events. They will visit sites of historical and cultural significance and they will also see the role and place of the Irish language within an urban Irish setting.
Cork: Tours / Activities:
While in Cork, students will tour Cork City, University College Cork, Cork City Gaol, The Cork Butter Exchange, Charles’ Fort Kinsale, and Cobh.
Cork City is a university city, which while compact in size, is vibrant and renowned for its warm personality and friendly people. It is the Republic of Ireland’s second city, whose history and development are very much set in a European context. While it has long been a city with a global outlook - during the 18th and 19th centuries it was a trading city of world significance - it also played a central role in Ireland’s own struggle for independence.
The city was co-founded by both Celtic monks and Scandinavian warrior-traders. It was later conquered by Norman forces, who built its city walls, and was later developed by Old and New English. The cultural and economic life of the city has been influenced by the various communities who settled there, including English Quakers, French Huguenots and Eastern European Jews. Cork also played a central role during the struggle for Irish Independence with many of the leading figures of the struggle native to the city and county.
The 18th century was a time of great economic prosperity for Cork city, based mainly on the trade of salted beef, pork and butter. Cork Harbor is one the largest natural harbors in the world and it was its ability to shelter the biggest fleets assembled during the American War of Independence and later during the Napoleonic Wars, that led to the expansion of the provisions trade in Cork. The textile industry also flourished. The Douglas sailcloth factory was by 1796, the biggest factory of its kind in Europe. Wool and cotton industries were also very important, as well as tanning, brewing and distilling. By the 19th century, Cork’s Butter Exchange was the largest in the world at the time. During that century, exports left Cork bound for destinations in the West Indies, South America and Australia. In the early 20th Century, Cork was one of the major centers of resistance to British rule during the War of Independence
Bells of Shandon Tower
This church tower is located in Cork City, and provides a panoramic view of the city. Known as the four faced liar, because none of it’s four clock faces tell the same time, it is one of Cork’s best-known landmarks. Visitors are allowed to play the bells, which ring out across the city.
The Butter Exchange
During a tour of the Butter Exchange, students will learn about the culture of dairying in ancient Ireland, and the growth of the Cork Butter Exchange, once the biggest in the world. From here tens of millions of pounds worth of butter was traded annually. It opened in 1770 and traded for 150 years bringing great wealth to Cork.
Cork City Gaol
The Gaol presents visitors with a social history of 19th century Cork as well as providing an insight into Irish history from pre-famine times to the foundation of the Irish State.
Kinsale in Co. Cork was the location of one of the most significant battles in Irish history. It was the Battle of Kinsale in 1601, which saw the defeat of Irish forces by the English crown. This was a major turning point in Irish history. The result of this defeat brought about the end of the Gaelic system in Ireland. The Gaelic aristocracy fled for continental Europe in what became known as The Flight of the Earls, and they left behind them a vacuum, which was filled by English powers.
· Charles Fort, Kinsale
Constructed in the late 17th century on the site of an earlier fortification, Charles Fort is a classic example of a star-shaped fort. There is museum on the site, which provides a wonderful history of the region.
Cobh is a port town in east Cork, long associated with Irish emigration. It was here that the majority of Irish emigrants set sail for the United States. In fact, in Cobh is located a statue of Annie Moore, a 16 year old girl who emigrated from Cobh to New York with her two younger brothers. She was the very first migrant to be processed through Ellis Island. A statue of her can also be found on Ellis Island to commemorate this fact. Cobh is also famed as being the last port of call of the Titanic.
· Titanic Experience, Cobh
Here students will learn about migration from Ireland to the penal colonies in Australia and later emigration to the United States. Because Cobh was the last port of call for the Titanic, they will also view Titanic memorabilia.
Date / Class / Tour/Activity / Time & CostMon May 18 / Depart the US
Tue May 19 / Arrive in Ireland, travel to Cork, settle in housing
Wed May 20 / Introduction to Cork and Kerry / University College Cork / 12:30pm, Free
Thur. May 21 / The history and meaning of Irish place-names / Cork City / 12:30pm, Free
Fri. May 22 / Introduction to the history of the Irish Language and its place in modern Ireland / Fitzgerald’s Park and museum / 2:00pm, Free
Sat. May 23 / Free Day
Sun, May 24 / Travel to Ballyferriter Co. Kerry to spend one week in the Gaeltacht (Irish Speaking region) / Depart Cork 12:00pm
Mon, May 25 / Language class 9:30-1 and 2:15-3:30 / Irish set dancing / 8:00pm
Tue, May 26 / Language class 9:30-1 and 2:15-3:30 Talk on the region 8:00pm
Wed, May 27 / Language class 9:30-1 and 2:15-3:30 / Archaeological tour / 2:30pm
Thur, May 28 / Language class 9:30-1 and 2:15-3:30 / Trip to the Blasket Island / 12:30pm, €20.00
Fri. May 29 / Language class 9:30-1 and 2:15-3:30 / Table Quiz / 8:00pm
Sat, May 30 / Language class 9:30-11:00 / Return to Cork / 1:00pm
Sun, May 31 / Free Day
Mon, June 1 / Review of language week in Kerry / Shandon Bells Tower / 2:00pm, €4.00
Tue, June 2 / The Battle of Kinsale: The End of the Gaelic System in Ireland / Kinsale, Charles’ Fort / 1:00pm, €2.00
Wed, June 3 / Cork as an International Trading City / Cork city, Butter Museum / 1:30pm, €3.00
Thur, June 4 / Ireland and Migration / Titanic Experience, Cobh / 1:00pm, €7.50
Fri. June 5 / Travel to Dublin
Sat. June 6 / Dublin City Tours? / Dublin city tours (Royal Hospital, Kilmainham Gaol, GPO)
Readings: Extracts from;
· Carney, Michael J., (2013), “From the Great Blasket to America”, Collins Press
· Sayers, Peig, “Peig: The Autobiography of Peig Sayers of the Great Blasket Island”. Translated by Bryan MacMahon. Syracuse University Press 1974
· Ó Catháin, Gearóid Cheaist, with Patricia Ahern, “The Loneliest Boy in the World”.