Find study abroad programs in Ireland!
When many students think of Ireland, or Éire in Irish, they imagine the "Emerald Isle" - an almost magical land of rich greenery, vibrant Celtic music and traditions, heavy rainfall, cozy pubs and maybe even the occasional leprechaun. And while the Republic of Ireland may be all of those things (although the leprechauns are probably a stretch), it is also a modern nation with an excellent higher education system, the second highest per capita GDP in the EU and a host of opportunities for international students. In 2005, The Economist even rated it the top country in which to live.
Ireland offers some excellent options for students who wish to enroll directly in an Irish institution. There are four universities, Trinity College (University of Dublin), The National University of Ireland (NUI), the University of Limerick and Dublin City University. NUI has four constituent colleges: NUI Dublin, NUI Cork, NUI Galway and NUI Maynooth. Prospective doctors will find a terrific learning experience at the Royal College of Surgeons while art students will definitely want to consider The National College of Art and Design - both are additional colleges of the NUI. These fine institutions educate more than 100,000 students per year. Ireland also has twelve institutes of technology, the largest being the Dublin Institute of Technology. Many US study abroad programs offer programs in partnerships with these Irish institutions. Any student considering studying in Ireland can find helpful information from the Irish Council for International Students.
Students interested in economics and government will be fascinated to explore the Irish economic development of recent years and the government policies that helped bolster that growth. Ireland's economy averaged a 6% growth rate in the years between 1995 and 2006, earning itself the title "Celtic Tiger." As a result of this economic development, Ireland is experiencing a shift from emigration to immigration, with its population developing into a rich, diversified and multicultural society. On average, there were 72,000 more immigrants than emigrants in the period covering 1996-2006, contributing to the largest population growth in the EU over this 10-year period.
Ireland has also shifted away from its agricultural roots to industry and services. Some of Ireland's main industries today include information technology, brewing, machinery, steel, textiles, and tourism. It is also a global center for the banking, telecommunications, and the pharmaceutical and software industries. The Irish government has implemented a series of programs designed to support the economy's continued strong growth.
Behind this modern success lies a complex history that has given rise to a rich cultural, artistic, literary and musical heritage. Ireland's history began 7,000 years ago with hunters from Britain settling on the island. Numerous megalithic sites, such as Newgrange and Dun Aengus, adorn Ireland and its surrounding islands. These settlers were followed by various farmers, prospectors and metalworkers. The first cultural and linguistic unity on the island was brought by the Celtic invaders of the 6th Century BC. The introduction of Christianity is credited to St. Patrick in the 5th Century, and the subsequent Irish monasteries were responsible for a true flowering of Irish learning, culture and art in the following centuries. One of the masterpieces of art and history that survives from that period is the Book of Kells, an ornately illustrated manuscript produced by monks around 800 AD. Students should definitely go to the Trinity College Library in Dublin to see this amazing manuscript for themselves.
Around this time, Vikings began to invade and were finally stopped by High King Brian Boru in 1014. In the 12th Century, the Normans invaded, which marked the beginning of seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle. In 1921, the 26 counties that today make up the Republic of Ireland formed the Irish Free State. In 1948, the Republic of Ireland act severed the last remaining constitutional ties with Britain. Ireland joined the United Nations in 1955 and the European Community in 1973.
Ireland has a history of great musicians that stretches all the way back to blind harpist, Turlough O'Carolan (1670-1738). Dublin was a magnet for musicians starting in the 18th century and was the first place where Handel's Messiah was performed in 1742. Other significant classical composers included John Field, A. J. Potter and Gerard Victory. Traditional Irish music has experienced a revival in recent years as demonstrated by the popularity of groups such as The Dubliners, Clannad, The Chieftains, De Dannan, Horslips and Altan and many students are probably familiar with Irish song, dance and music due to "Riverdance." The wide-spread influence of Irish musicians can also be seen through the popularity of a variety of modern musicians and groups including Van Morrisson, Rory Gallagher, Thin Lizzy, U2, Sinéad O'Connor, Enya, Boyzone, West Life, the Cranberries, Therapy, ASH and The Corrs.
In addition to the famous Irish musicians, students will also be impressed by the number of literary geniuses that have called Ireland home. Some of the earlier writers include satirist Jonathan Swift, poet and playwright Oscar Wilde, political writer Edmund Burke, Dracula author Bram Stoker, and dramatists George Bernard Shaw, Oliver Goldsmith and Richard Brinsley Sheridan. William Butler Yeats' work demonstrates the influence of ancient Celtic culture while John Millington Synge influenced modern drama with his work, The Playboy of the Western World. Students of literature can wander the streets of Dublin as did Leopold Bloom, the famous main character of James Joyce's novel Ulysses. The Irish writing tradition continues today with well-known authors such as Samuel Beckett, Frank O'Connor, Seamus Heaney, Elizabeth Bowen, Pat McCabe, Maeve Binchy, Roddy Doyle, Frank McCourt and Martin MacDonagh.
Students in Ireland should also take the opportunity to learn about Ireland's traditional games such as Gaelic football, hurling and camogie (the women's variant of hurling) which remain the most popular sports in the country today. These sports are played almost exclusively in Ireland and are administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) (pronounced "gah"). GAA also promotes handball and rounders as well as Irish music and dance and the Irish language. GAA is the most popular organization on the island and boasts a membership of almost 800,000 of the population of 5 million people.
In addition to Ireland's Gaelic sports, soccer and rugby are hugely popular, both on a national and international level. Ireland is also world-renowned for the quality of its golf courses, both links and parkland, which make Ireland a unique golfing destination. Finally, horseracing is a long-standing tradition in Ireland. Ireland's climate, lime-rich soil and lush grass make it the perfect environment for horse breeding, producing some of the world's top international runners. Throughout the year, Ireland hosts numerous races such as The Galway Races, Laytown Races and Listowel, which are family-oriented festivals lasting several days.
Ireland is a very young nation with over 50% of its population under the age of 25. In addition, to enjoying Ireland's rich historical, artistic, literary and cultural heritage, students who study abroad in Ireland will find a vibrant, active nation. No matter what your area of study, you will find amazing opportunities to deepen your appreciation of it on the Emerald Isle.
Ireland is a very young nation with over 50% of its population under the age of 25. In addition, to enjoying Ireland's rich historical, artistic, literary and cultural heritage, students who study abroad in Ireland will find a vibrant, active nation. No matter what your area of study, you will find amazing opportunities to deepen your appreciation of it on the Emerald Isle.
ONLINE RESOURCES
Irish Council for International Students:
http://www.icosirl.ie/
Central Statistics Office Ireland:
http://www.cso.ie
Embassy of Ireland, Washington DC:
http://www.irelandemb.org/
Ireland - Information on the Irish State:
http://www.irlgov.ie/
The Arts Council:
http://www.artscouncil.ie/
Fáilte Ireland - National Tourism Development Authority:
http://www.failteireland.ie
Discover Ireland - The official site of Tourism Ireland:
http://www.tourismireland.com/
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program:
http://www.iie.org/gilman
National Security Education Program:
http://www.iie.org/NSEP
Find study abroad programs in Ireland
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