>>BLOG Experience Ireland, Scotand, England 2008 >>

	Discounts/Scholarships
	Frequently Asked Questions
	Accommodation
	Include Trips
	Optional Trips
	Program Cost
	Terms & conditions
	Our Brochure

Stonehenge July 2008.

Edinburgh: July 13 -18, 2009. Study Robbie Burns in historic and exciting Edinburgh in residence at the University of Edinburgh at Pollock Halls. Visit Scotland’s capital, “The Athens of the North”, Parliament, The Royal Mile, The Highlands, and St. Andrews, the home of golf.

Oxford: July 18 -29, 2009. Live and study in the venerable and exciting city of Oxford, “The City of Dreaming Spires”. Students will have the privilege of studying at St. Edwards’s School, one of England’s preeminent boarding school located minutes from the Oxford city centre. The school boasts world class facilities, including: modern accommodation, sports complex, 90 acres of sports fields, computer labs, library, theatre, bright classrooms, tennis courts, and an indoor/outdoor pool. Oxford University founded in 1167 is made up of 39 colleges and is a city filled with stunning architecture, towering spires and meticulously groomed courtyards and gardens; an environment proven to inspire students.

London: On our day tours to London we will enjoy the Big Bus Tour, as well as the opportunity to visit such locations as The Tower of London, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park, Westminster Abbey, the British Museum, the Museum of Natural History, the Victoria & Albert Museum and many other key London attractions.

	Entrance to Trinity College Dublin		Globe Theatre London

COST : • CAD $ 6,195 COST INCLUDES* • Air: Toronto/Dublin/London return (other gateways can be arranged) • All transfers via private coach • Ferry transfer from Ireland to Scotland • 9 nights accommodation at Trinity College, Dublin • 5 nights accommodation at University of Edinburgh • 11 nights accommodation at St. Edward’s School, Oxford • Breakfast and dinner daily in Dublin and Edinburgh • Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily in Oxford • Kilmainham Gaol & Irish Writers Museum • Walking tours of Howth and Killiney Hill • Gaelic Football or Hurling match at Croke Park • Visit to the beaches of Ayr and Robbie Burns Cottage • Walking tour of Edinburgh • Bus pass in Edinburgh • Trip to Glasgow • Shakespeare play in Oxford • Punting on the Cherwell • Walking tour of Oxford • Computer access in Dublin and Oxford • 1 full day visit to London including Big Bus Tour and River Thames Cruise • Opportunities to see famous sites in London INCLUDED Inside Stonehenge IN DUBLIN • Kilmainham Gaol • Irish Writers Museum • Walking tours of Howth and Killiney Hill • Gaelic football or hurling match at Croke Park (HQ of Gaelic Games) • End of course banquet at the National Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire • National Museum of Ireland • Computer/internet usage IN SCOTLAND - GLASGOW and EDINBURGH • Walking Tour of Edinburgh and Royal Mile • Bus pass in Edinburgh • Robbie Burns Birthplace and beaches in Ayr • Walking tour Glasgow: Kelvingrove ~ The Hunterian IN LONDON • The Big Bus Tour and Thames cruise • Opportunities to see the sites you want to see, such as The British Museum, National Gallery, Thames cruise, Picadilly, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park IN OXFORD • Shakesperian play • Punting on the Cherwell • Walking Tour of Oxford • Computer/internet usage and Library privileges • Limited access to swimming pool and sports facilities OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS - Click here for a Sign-up Form Ireland: • Newgrange & Boyne Valley • Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains England: • Blenheim Palace • Warwick Castle & Stratford-upon-Avon • Stonehenge ~ Inside The Circle NEWGRANGE & BOYNE VALLEY - IRELAND Explore this land of legend, mystique, and folklore. Experience some of the most remarkable legacies of the ancient Celtic people on this day trip to the Boyne Valley. See the Hill of Tara, seat of power of the old High Kings of Ireland. In ancient Irish religion and mythology Tara was the sacred place of dwelling for the gods, and was the entrance to the otherworld. Nearby is the Hill of Slane where St. Patrick lit a Paschal Fire in 433 to proclaim Christianity throughout Ireland. Visit the Brú na Boinne Visitor Centre, designed to interpret the rich archaeological heritage of the Boyne Valley, which includes the Neolithic passage tombs of Newgrange. Take a guided tour of the tombs themselves at Newgrange, the oldest and largest Neolithic burial chamber in Europe (3000 BC). GLENDALOUGH AND THE WICKLOW MOUNTAINS - IRELAND Glendalough, with its famous round tower and spectacular scenery is located in ‘the garden of Ireland”, in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains National Park. The English name Glendalough comes from the Irish Gleann Dá Locha which means "the glen of the two lakes". St. Kevin’s monastery founded in the sixth century was to become one of the beacons of learning throughout Europe’s Dark Ages. Indeed, Ireland was known as the "Island of Saints and Scholars". The settlement expanded and thrived for 600 years and was destroyed in 1398. The buildings which survive, date from the 8th and 12th centuries. We will also visit Avoca (Ballykissangel), home of the hand weavers, Avondale House, home of Charles Stuart Parnell, and visit the beach at Brittas Bay or Bray (weather permitting). STONEHENGE ~ INSIDE THE CIRCLE - ENGLAND Transportation via private motor coach, admission to Stonehenge with audio wand, private guide inside the circle and a bag supper are included on this afternoon and evening excursion. Built in several stages on the Salisbury Plain from about 3000 BC., it is Europe’s most famous prehistoric site. The alignment of the stones leaves little doubt that the circle is connected with the sun and the passing of the seasons, and that its builders possessed a sophisticated understanding of both arithmetic and astronomy. When the park is closed you will be allowed to go inside the circle with our private guide. She will tell you about the stones and the energy fields and you’ll be able to search for them yourself with the dousing wands. WARWICK CASTLE & STRATFORD-UPON-AVON - ENGLAND Transportation via private coach, admission to Warwick Castle and Shakespeare's grave are included in this all day excursion. The historic city of Warwick proudly boasts the finest Medieval castle in England, a fascinating site, first fortified by William the Conqueror in 1068. The castle is complete with massive towers, battlements, a dungeon and state apartments to explore. Watch jousting matches, join in the dancing, and listen to the buskers as medieval life comes alive before your eyes. Stratford-Upon- Avon is one of England’s most famous towns where you can see the birthplace and gravesite of William Shakespeare. You will have time to explore on your own and watch the street entertainers and maybe be part of the show! BLENHEIM PALACE - ENGLAND Transportation via private coach and private tour of the Palace are included in this afternoon excursion. Spend an afternoon in Woodstock visiting magnificent Blenheim Palace, home of the Duke of Marlborough and the birthplace of Winston Churchill. You will have a guided tour of the palace and also have time to explore the maze, garden, water terraces, pleasure gardens, butterfly house, and much more. You will also have the option to visit Sir Winston Churchill’s gravesite. COURSES OFFERED: (ENG3U) Grade 11 ~ English (ENG4U) Grade 12 ~ English (ETS4U) Grade 12 ~ Studies in Literature (CHY4U) Grade 12 ~ History See Courses for a full listing of outlines and prerequisites FEE DOES NOT INCLUDE: • Optional insurance cost of $295 • Departure taxes and any fuel surcharges • Internet cost in Edinburgh • Optional excursions • Textbooks • Spending money • Application fee of $95

MORE INFORMATION ON DUBLIN, EDINBURGH AND OXFORD

DUBLIN
All Celtic programs are centred in Dublin, the capital of Ireland which was founded by the Vikings in the 9th Century. Students will have ample opprtunity to explore this famous millenium city, steeped in history and buzzing with youthful energy. Dublin is at the same time Medieval, Georgian and thoughly modern with a truly cosmopolital flavour. It has been rated as one of the safest destinations in Europe (based on a 2006 Insurance Industry study).

Trinity Front Gates

We are ideally located on the main campus of Trinity College Dublin, the oldest university in Ireland, founded by Queen Elizabeth I. Trinity has a beautiful campus atmosphere which belies its location in the urban centre of a capital city. This is in large part due to the compact design of the campus. The main buildings look inwards and there are a small number of public gates. The main campus is approximately 47 acres, set in the geographical centre of Dublin. There are cobbled squares, beautiful cricket pitches, playing fields, stunning historic architecture and state-of-the-art modern facilities; the accumulated architectural riches of nearly three centuries. Dublin offers a particularly congenial atmosphere for students and it has in all respects the resources of a capital city with a full and varied cultural and intellectual life.

Click to enlarge image

TCD in the city centre is steps to Stephens Green, Grafton Street, and Temple Bar. Dublin is the thriving centre of Ireland 's recent economic miracle and also the centre for culture. It is home of a great literary tradition - Shaw, Yeats, Becket, Joyce, Beckett are native sons, as well as it being home to Ireland's music phenomenon; from the Dubliners, The Chieftains, Cranberries, and Thin Lizzie to U2.
Dublin has many attractions - from Kilmainham Gaol (scene of the execution of Irish patriots in 1916, and setting for may films including In The Name of The Father), the word famous Abbey Theatre,the Book of Kells located at Trinity, Temple Bar, Croke Park (HQ of Gaelic games in Ireland) and museums, too numerous to mention. Dublin is also set in some of the most spectacular settings of any capital city, on the Irish seacoast of Dublin Bay, surrounded by Howth to the north and Killiney and Dun Laoghaire to the south. There will be plenty of opportunity to take the included DART train excursions and view spectacular vistas of Dublin from Howth, and Dun Laoghaire and Killiney - Ireland's Riviera. Come and see my home town of Dalkey, current abode of such Irish luminaries as Maeve Binchy, Hugh Leonard, Chris De Burgh, and Bono. Visit Dun Laoghaire and James Joyce's Martello Tower, the setting for Ullysses, also the home of George Bernard Shaw and our end of course banquet at the National Yacht Club. We are truly at home in Dublin and would like to share this great city with you. Stephens Green, Grafton Street, Temple Bar and the city centre. There are busses outside the door of GCD, and the Luas (tram) is up the road. Dublin is the thriving centre of Ireland 's recent economic miracle and also the centre for culture. It is home of a great literary tradition - Shaw, Yeats, Becket, Joyce, Beckett are native sons, as well as it being home to Ireland's music phenomenon; from the Dubliners, The Chieftains, Cranberries, and Thin Lizzie to U2.
We will be staying at Goldsmith Hall which is on is on main campus of TCD located in the centre of Dublin and boasts:
• Modern safe and secure apartments on campus
• Single 5 bedroomed apartments (some doubles available) shared private bathrooms
• Breakfast on campus
• Dinners in Temple Bar
• Located adjacent to DART
• Full and free desktop computer and internet access at numerous locations throughout the campus
• Access to the new TCD Sports Hall, incl swimming pool.

EDINBURGH

Edinburgh

The beautiful, historic city of Edinburgh is one of the world’s most vibrant and cosmopolitan places to live. Find out why the capital is such a great place to be. With its stunning Georgian and Victorian architecture, and winding medieval streets, it’s easy to see why Edinburgh has been listed as a World Heritage Site. And the setting is captivating. Edinburgh Castle dominates the urban skyline, perched atop the crags of an ancient volcano right in the centre of the city. Yet Edinburgh is not stuck in the past. And neither is it all about bagpipes, shortbread, whisky and tartan. In fact, the city is one of the most vibrant, cosmopolitan cities in Europe and is regularly voted as one of the most desirable places to live in the world.

Edinburgh Castle

The capital is bustling with arts, culture, sports and attractions and is famous for playing host to the world’s largest arts festival and ,restaurants, clubs and live entertainment to rival any European city it is also a great place to shop. This is a city that knows how to be both ancient and modern. And a fantastic place to live and study. With a rich heritage, internationally renowned architecture and a vibrant arts scene, it's certainly an elegant, cultured city. But it's a fun, youthful city too. Home to stylish bars, cafés, restaurants and designer stores, Edinburgh buzzes day and night.

Click to enlarge image

We are staying at Pollock Halls Residence at the University of Edinburgh. We have full Scottish breakfast and dinners each day in the university at the John McIntyre Centre dining room, as well as in local retaurants.

Pollock Halls Edinburgh

After our stay in Edinburgh we will board a train for an enjoyable and comfortable trip from to Oxford. This trip affords some of the most stunning Celtic scenery in Scotland and also inf England.

OXFORD

Oxford University

After taking the high speed train from Glasgow we will journey through England to the famed university town of Oxford. Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world and lays claim to nine centuries of continuous existence. This year Oxfordshire is celebrating it's 1000th Birthday!
Oxford is a collegiate university, with 39 self-governing colleges related to the University in a type of federal system. They provide an important resource for scholars internationally, and welcome visits from members of the public.

• The Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology was founded in 1683. It is one of the oldest museums in the world and was the first museum in Britain to be open to the public.
• The University Museum of Natural History houses the University's scientific collections of zoological, entomological, palaeontological and mineral specimens.

St. Edward’s Oxford

Click to enlarge image

• The Pitt Rivers Museum is a world famous ethnographic museum, celebrating human cultural creativity.
• The Museum of the History of Science houses an unrivalled collection of historic scientific instruments.
• The Bate Collection of Musical Instruments includes historical woodwind, brass and percussion instruments; over a dozen historical keyboard instruments; and a complete bow-maker's workshop.
• Christ Church Picture Gallery holds an important collection of Old Master paintings and drawings totalling 300 paintings and almost 2,000 drawings.
• The University of Oxford Botanic Garden is the oldest botanic garden in Britain, and the most compact yet diverse collection of plants in the world.
• Six miles south of Oxford is the Harcourt Arboretum, which is home to informal gardens, walks and rides. The Arboretum forms an integral part of the plant collection of the Botanic Garden.
• Founded in 1602, and with over 8 million volumes, the Bodleian Library Exhibitions draw on the large number of manuscripts and rare printed books.

In Oxford we are priveleged to be staying at St. Edward's one of England's leading private schools. It is the perfect blend of modern and tradition with its fabulous acdemic and athletic facilities including 90 acres of sports fields, Esporta complex with swimming pool, tennis courts, squash courts, fitness studio, the Sports Hall, and River Thames are within easy reach.

Students stay in shared rooms in this safe and well equipped enviornment, classrooms are bright and modern, libraries are there to be used and full desktop computer access including internet is freely available. All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are provided for our students at St. Edward's Oxford.

Since 1996 - Be part of the tradition - Join us for Celtic Summer 2009