July/August 2008
The Irish Cultural Center at Elms College looks forward to welcoming a group of children at its eighth annual Celtic Adventures for Kids, July 28-August 1, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. One of the founders of the Center, Tom Moriarty said, "This program is a unique contribution in ‘keeping alive the Irish arts.’ We introduce children to the Irish language, culture and heritage." Children from grades 1-9 take part in several classes daily: the Maguire Center swimming pool is also available for daily use. In 2007 Michael Carney led a workshop to teach the children how to play Gaelic football.
The director of the weeklong program, Mary Ellen O’Brien also teaches the Irish dancing. Other teachers include: Mike Rancitelli, music, including singing Irish tunes, playing the tin whistle and the bodhran; Julia Campbell, arts and crafts; Kathleen Gilhooly, Irish language; and Anita Taylor, storytelling/literature. Some experienced senior campers will return to volunteer to assist the staff with the younger children. The culmination of the week will be a celebration of what they have learned on Friday, August 1, 2 pm in the Dooley Center where proud parents, grandparents and siblings will gather to see a program showcasing what they have learned.
In 2000 Sister Kathleen Keating, president of the Elms College at the time and another one of the founders of the Irish Cultural Center dreamed a dream – a dream of young people learning about Irish culture and heritage through a fun program. Sister Kathleen Kirley, Paula Dugan and Mary Ellen O’Brien worked together to make her dream a reality. Thus, in 2001 the weeklong program called Celtic Adventures for Kids was born. Over the years hundreds of children have been immersed in Irish language, culture and heritage for the week, often learning about what was dear to parents or grandparents. Last year one parent reported, "My daughter is up early every morning; she can’t wait to get here." A camper enthused, "This is my absolute most favorite camp."
Cost is $200 per child: $20 discount for Irish Cultural Center members: $20 discount for each additional child from the same family: $50 non-refundable deposit with registration due June 2, 2008: balance due by July 2, 2007. Email: irishcenter@elms.edu or call 413 265-2537 for further information and/or a registration form. Check out our web site: www.irish-cairde.org/forms/celtic_adv_08.pdf
August 2008
September 2008
September 4 Opening reception
Photography exhibit – A Journey into Ireland’s Literary Revival – by Amherst writer and photographer, R. Todd Felton, Sunday September 7, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. in the Borgia Gallery, Dooley Campus Center. Felton traveled through the Ireland of William Butler Yeats, John Millington Synge, Sean O’Casey and Lady Gregory to gather images and material for a book he was writing. The exhibit runs from September 5-22; the Borgia Gallery is open daily from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. He will sign copies of his book on sale at $22. For further information and to view his photos visit his web site: www.rtoddfelton.com
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October 2008
November 2008
December 2008
April 2009
COME AND EXPLORE IRELAND'S SCENIC COASTLINE IN BEAUTIFUL SPRINGTIME!
HIGHLIGHTS: The 2009 "Journey of the Soul" Tour to Ireland will take us along the Southern coastlines of Ireland. On this exciting trip we will experience the beauty and magic of Ireland in the Springtime as we visit the medieval town of Kilkenny, the beautiful Wicklow Mountains (the "The Garden of Ireland"), Avoca (where PBS-TV series "Ballykissangel" was filmed & tour Avoca Handweavers Mill-Ireland's oldest), Midleton (Jameson's Old Midleton Distillery), Glendalough (St. Kevin's 6th century monastic settlement), Kinsale ("The Gourmet Capital of Ireland"), New Ross (enjoy the Dunbrody ship tour as you follow in the footsteps of a group of famine emigrants), Cobh ("Queenstown"-where over 2.5 million emigrants departed. The heritage centre documents the history of Irish emigrants & the story of the ill-fated superliners, the Lusitania and the Titanic--Cobh was the last port of call for the Titanic). Visit the Blarney Castle & Woollen Mills, continue along the coast by Clonakilty and Skibbereen to visit Bantry Bay House & Gardens and on to Killarney. Explore the Dingle Peninsula (optional tour to the Great Blasket Island, weather permitting) and the majestic Cliffs of Moher in County Clare. Special evenings with music, dance and song at Kate Kearney's Cottage in the Gap of Dunloe and a farewell Medieval Banquet in a 15th Century Castle--as well as a few other surprises!
Our Great Hotels: Kilkenny River Court Hotel-Kilkenny (2-nights), Trident Hotel-Kinsale (2-nights), Killarney Towers-Killarney (1-night), Benner's Hotel-Dingle Peninsula (3-nights), Absolute Hotel-Limerick (1-night).
OUR NEXT INFORMATIONAL MEETING: Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. in the Fontbonne Room in the Dooley Campus Center, Elms College.
Call Kathy Gallivan at (413) 536-9709 for more information or for a copy of the itinerary and application. We are already taking reservations! First come, first serve - this tour is expected to sell out quickly!