The Delightful Draw Of School Trips To Dublin
St Patrick's Day, Guinness, leaping leprechauns and pots of gold, an infectious if oft confusing accent, and a tremendous sense of heart. These are some of the things that epitomise Ireland. Stereotypes they may be, but it is significant that all over the world people can list these things as quintessentially belonging to Irish culture. In almost every corner of the globe, travellers and revellers can find some semblance of an Irish pub - even in places where no single Irish person has ever set foot. It is such an emblematic culture they seem to have even claimed the colour green!
These icons demand a visit to Ireland simply because they must be tested and explored. In the city of Dublin, however, the real Ireland awaits. Here are some of the popular draw cards of Dublin, and a hint at what lies beneath the green tapestry.
The music
School trips to Dublin take students to hallowed musical grounds. A haven for live music, as you walk down the drizzly streets and listen to strings being plucked and voices drifting out of hazy smoked filled pubs and clubs, remember that this was the home and starting point for U2, Sinead O'Connor, The Script, The Dubliners, Ronan Keating, Thin Lizzy and Boyzone, to name a few. One of Europe's most youthful cities, students can nonetheless find opportunities to explore some of the older, Celt inspired musical heritage of the city.
The literature
The written word of Dublin is as famous as its song. Students on school trips have a chance to bring their studies of famous literature to life as they stroll the streets in the footsteps of famous writers, poets and philosophers while also investigating their lifestyles by exploring what remains of their renowned haunts. From William Butler Yeats, George Bernard Shaw and Samuel Beckett, to Oscar Wilde and Jonathan Swift, Dublin's writers have spun the English language in ways that have captivated and provoked the world. James Joyce's famous collection of tales, Dubliners, traces, in vivid detail, life in the city during the turn of the 19th century, and students can visit the libraries and museums to see how these and other words were inspired by the city.
The economy
While Dublin's historic image as a centre for musicians and artists is well known and does not fly in the face of the Irish reputation for drinking and celebration, it would surprise many students on school trips to learn that Dublin is a engine of economic growth. In 2009 it was listed as the fourth richest city in the world by purchasing power and the tenth by personal income, and major companies such as Google, Microsoft, Facebook and Pfizer have their headquarters or major bases here, thus replacing much of the city's reliance of manufacturing and processing. This growth will challenge stereotypes about Ireland and open students eyes to the way life in Dublin is dynamic and changing.
These icons demand a visit to Ireland simply because they must be tested and explored. In the city of Dublin, however, the real Ireland awaits. Here are some of the popular draw cards of Dublin, and a hint at what lies beneath the green tapestry.
The music
School trips to Dublin take students to hallowed musical grounds. A haven for live music, as you walk down the drizzly streets and listen to strings being plucked and voices drifting out of hazy smoked filled pubs and clubs, remember that this was the home and starting point for U2, Sinead O'Connor, The Script, The Dubliners, Ronan Keating, Thin Lizzy and Boyzone, to name a few. One of Europe's most youthful cities, students can nonetheless find opportunities to explore some of the older, Celt inspired musical heritage of the city.
The literature
The written word of Dublin is as famous as its song. Students on school trips have a chance to bring their studies of famous literature to life as they stroll the streets in the footsteps of famous writers, poets and philosophers while also investigating their lifestyles by exploring what remains of their renowned haunts. From William Butler Yeats, George Bernard Shaw and Samuel Beckett, to Oscar Wilde and Jonathan Swift, Dublin's writers have spun the English language in ways that have captivated and provoked the world. James Joyce's famous collection of tales, Dubliners, traces, in vivid detail, life in the city during the turn of the 19th century, and students can visit the libraries and museums to see how these and other words were inspired by the city.
The economy
While Dublin's historic image as a centre for musicians and artists is well known and does not fly in the face of the Irish reputation for drinking and celebration, it would surprise many students on school trips to learn that Dublin is a engine of economic growth. In 2009 it was listed as the fourth richest city in the world by purchasing power and the tenth by personal income, and major companies such as Google, Microsoft, Facebook and Pfizer have their headquarters or major bases here, thus replacing much of the city's reliance of manufacturing and processing. This growth will challenge stereotypes about Ireland and open students eyes to the way life in Dublin is dynamic and changing.
