Study Irish Gaelic in Connemara, Ireland

Summer CUNY Study Abroad Program

Connemara, County Galway, is a place of wild beauty. On the west coast of Ireland, north of the Aran Islands, lies the village of An Cheathrú Rua (Carraroe). The village is an important rural center in the Connemara Irish-speaking region. Buffered on all sides by other Irish-speaking areas, mountains, and water, An Cheathrú Rua exists in a region where the Irish language continues to be the community language spoken in homes and in shops. An Cheathrú Rua has several beaches that serve the village including a coral beach know as "Trá an Dóilín."

The National University of Ireland, founded in 1845, serves over 15,000 students. Its "Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge" (Irish Language University Academy) serves native Irish speakers and students of Irish at satellite campuses in different Irish-language villages. The Irish language classes will be held at the An Cheathrú Rua facility which is called "Áras Mháirtín Uí Chadhain"(The Máirtín Ó Cadhain Building). Students live in local Irish speaking homes and receive their meals there as well. In addition to Irish language classes, students will also be able to participate in social activities and cultural lectures.

Elementary Irish 1&2 (6 undergraduate credits) OR

Intermediate Irish 1&2 (6 undergraduate credits) OR

Advanced Irish 1&2 (6 undergraduate credits)

Program Dates: July 18 to August 15, 2008

Eligibility Requirement: 2.75 GPA or better

Basic Program Cost: $2,930 (1930 Euro)

Costs include:

+ Tuition for 6 undergraduate credits
+ Housing (sharing) and three meals per day
+ Orientation and program activities
+ Social/cultural program
+ Transportation from Galway City to An Cheathrú Rua on first day
+ Transportation from An Cheathrú Rua to Galway City on last day

Costs do not include

+ International airfare ($650 approx.)
+ Personal spending money ($350 approx.)
+ Health and accident insurance ($130 approx. - required)
+ Local transportation to and from airport to Galway City ($30 approx.)
+ NUI-Galway Internet fee ($30 approx.)

Deadline: The deadline for the commitment fee of $570 (375 Euro) is April 1, 2008. Final payment of program costs is June 1, 2008. To join the group, send the application form below and a bank money order for the commitment fee made out to "NUI-Galway" (see below) by April 1, 2008. Limited to 15 participants. First come first serve.

Application Form Page 1 Application Form Page 2 (pdf document)
Waiver and Release Form (pdf document)

Prof. Thomas Ihde
Director
718-960-6776
thomas.ihde@lehman.cuny.edu

CUNY Institute for Irish-American Studies
Lehman College, CUNY
250 Bedford Park Blvd. West
Bronx, NY 10468

718-960-5550 (fax)

Commonly asked questions:

Participants make their own flight arrangements. You should be accepted in the program before you book your flight. The travel time between An Cheathrú Rua and Shannon is about 3 hours and as a result a morning flight on the first day is often not a possibility. See http://www.aerlingus.com/ , http://www.continental.com/ , and http://www.delta.com/ . If you would prefer to work through a travel agent, we recommend DHO Travel (Donoghue Healy & O'Sullivan Travel) at 4356 Katonah Avenue, Bronx, NY 10470. Phone 877-346-8728 or 718-994-9696 or visit http://www.dhotravel.com/ . Please indicate that you are traveling with the Lehman College group. Bus service from the main Galway City campus of NUI-Galway and An Cheathrú is provided on the first day and return bus service from An Cheathrú Rua to Galway City is provided on the last day.
The course is taught by fluent Irish speakers employed by NUI-Galway and students live in native Irish-speaking homes. If you would prefer to live in a "student residence," please indicate that when sending in the commitment fee.
Registration is completed through the CUNY Institute for Irish-American Studies. Once you have paid the commitment fee and have been accepted into the program, you can purchase your flight tickets. Non-CUNY students are welcome. Please consult Prof. Ihde.
The basic cost of the program is $2,930 (1930 Euro). CUNY-IIAS forwards 100% of this to NUI-Galway. The fee for undergraduate students and for continuing education students is the same. Full payment should be submitted by June 1, 2008.
For more travel information, please e-mail or phone Ms. Elaine Ní Bhraonáin or Mr. Scott Spencer ( cunyiias@lehman.cuny.edu - 718-960-6722). She can assist for more information concerning how to make flight arrangements, accommodations, Ireland transportation, and course curriculum. Please note that rooms are sharing. The extra fee for a single room is $610 (400 Euro) for the four weeks.
For CUNY student academic advisement and and non-CUNY student credit transfer questions, please e-mail or phone Prof. Thomas Ihde ( thomas.ihde@lehman.cuny.edu - 718-938-1345). He will be able to provide academic advisement.
Students wishing to continue Irish language studies can take on-line Elementary Irish III in the fall through Lehman College. Lehman College also offers intermediate and advanced level Irish language courses on-line.