Ireland
2025–26 ENROLLMENT INFORMATION
Congratulations on being selected to travel on the Ireland: Cultural Resiliency and Identity travel program! On this trip, you will explore the evolution and future of the Irish identity and asking questions about how identity is shaped collectively and individually through unique local traditions that have survived centuries of oppression and conflict.
Make sure to keep checking this page for Updates
General Program Information:
- Program Dates: June 3 – June 15, 2026
- Trip Leaders: Kevin Kelly and Jackie DeLuca
- Updated Itinerary: *This itinerary is subject to change
This 11 day travel program through Ireland, begins in Belfast, where students will explore the city’s layered past through site visits and walking tours, and will hear contrasting lived perspectives in interactions with republican and loyalist guides. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to visit the Titanic Museum located at the actual shipyard where the Titanic was built. In Derry/Londonderry, students will reflect on the impact of Bloody Sunday at the Free Derry Museum, walk the city’s historic walls, and join a creative storytelling workshop at the Nerve Centre. The itinerary also takes students to the Giant’s Causeway and the Donegal Peninsula, offering opportunities to connect Ireland’s landscapes with its myths, legends, and ancient monuments.
As the program moves west and south, students will experience the rugged beauty of Connemara through outdoor activities like hiking, and a visit to a local sheep farm. On the Aran Islands, participants will explore small villages and learn about the Irish language. Stops in Galway and Dublin will round out the journey with cultural highlights such as a traditional Irish music and dance class, a workshop in Gaelic sports, and visits to iconic sites like Trinity College, the Book of Kells, and the Guinness Storehouse.
- Program Notes:
On June 3, 2026, Students and Program leaders will meet at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York. Students and Program leaders will travel together by air to Belfast, arriving on June 4. Students and Program Leaders will be based out of Belfast, and will travel to Derry, Connemara, Aran Islands, Galway and Dublin. On June 15, 2026, Students will fly out of Dublin and return to John F Kennedy International Airport in New York.
- Cell Phone Policy: As part of Deerfield’s commitment to face-to-face interactions, during certain times of the trip, students will be “unplugged” without access to cell phone
- Other Important Information about the program: During this trip, students will stay in hotels, inns, and lodges and share meals at accommodations and restaurants. Since this trip takes place in multiple urban areas, considerable walking will occur.
Documents & Forms
All forms will come in a DocuSign email.
Health & Safety:
Please review the following Health and Safety information
1. CDC and State Department briefings on travel to destinations.
2. Travel Medicine Advisory Letter
A letter from Dr. Bryant Benson provides important guidance on health preparations for travel. View Letter
3. Vaccination Information:
- No vaccinations are required for Ireland but please review and consider all recommended vaccinations
4. Travel Insurance
All students are covered by Deerfield Academy’s International SOS travel insurance policy while on the program.
- CLICK HERE for general information about International SOS Travel Insurance and the service they offer
- CLICK HERE for information on how to get in touch with them pre-travel
- CLICK HERE for the International Travel Insurance Program Summary of Benefits
- Deerfield Academy also encourages Students and Parents to consider purchasing additional “cancel for any reason” insurance as available.
Visa Information:
Students and parents are directly responsible for the student’s immigration status and/or visa application process to comply with local laws for participation in this program. Deerfield Academy and the CSGC office are here to assist and can provide specific supplemental documentation as required for the application.
According to the US Department of State, visas are not required for US citizens to enter Ireland for a stay of less than 90 days. Students who are not traveling with U.S. passport please research entry requirements based on your country of citizenship and for obtaining a visa, if necessary
PACKING LIST
Group Flight Information:
June 3
Aer Lingus EI0106
JFK 09:05PM – 8:50am Dublin
June 15
Aer Lingus EI0105
Dublin, Ireland 11:10AM – 1:40pm JFK
Pre and Post Trip Plans and Travel:
Pre- Trip Information: On June 3, 2026, Students and Program leaders will meet at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York. Students and Program leaders will travel together by air to Belfast, arriving on June 4.
Post Trip Plans: Post Trip Plans Form due March 1st, 2026.
On June 15, 2026, Students will fly out of Dublin and return to John F Kennedy International Airport in New York .
Please note that this trip ends on June 15 in JFK International Airport.
Families should plan to meet their students at the airport or arrange for them to be transported to nearby family or friends for the remainder of the Summer break. Please discuss with your family your post-trip plans, and fill out this form before March 1st, 2026.
Payment Information:
All payment information, including non-refundable deposit amount, comes via email through a DocuSign envelope.
The remaining balance of the program fee will be billed to your student account on December 12, 2025 and due in full by January 1, 2026.
Please contact the Finance Office at [email protected] with any questions or the Center for Service and Global Citizenship via email [email protected] or phone: 413-774-1435.
This page contains enrollment information for students who have been selected for one of our 2026 trips. If you are interested in other Global Studies programs or future travel opportunities, please contact The Center for Service and Global Citizenship.