Ireland And England
Faculty: Gary Tandy, Jason Lepojarvi, Robin Baker
Class meeting time: Thursdays from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Trip Dates: May, 2024
Highlights
Students in this Juniors Abroad experience will explore the development of the Christian faith in the cultures of Ireland and England from Celtic times to the present. Throughout the trip in our key cities—Dublin, Belfast, Oxford, and London—we will visit/worship at churches and cathedrals from many denominations. Students will also experience the beauty of the culture and geography of Ireland and England.
Students in the course will also study two of the greatest Christian intellectuals of the 20th Century, J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, and examine how they confronted their world for Christ. In addition to reading some of the work of Tolkien and Lewis, we will visit key historical sites in Oxford and Ireland associated with both authors.
Our trip begins in Ireland where we will visit Dublin and Belfast as well as numerous sites in the country sides around those cities. From Ireland, we will continue our journey to Oxford, England, where we will walk in the footsteps of Lewis and Tolkien. From Oxford, we will make day trips to the ancient Roman city of Bath, Salisbury, and Stonehenge. We will conclude our trip in London, visiting historical sites along with a day trip to Cambridge. The itinerary below provides the details!
Tentative Itinerary
| Day 1 | Leave PDX for Dublin, Ireland |
| Day 2 | Arrive in Dublin. Downtown Dublin. Explore area and get acquainted with Ireland. Visit Trinity College home of the ancient manuscript known as the Book of Kells. Afternoon visits to St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the National Museum of Art. Evening attractions in the city. |
| Day 3 | Dublin. Day trip to Kilmainham Gaol (home of 1918 Easter Uprising). Like any major city there are many theater options as well. |
| Day 4 | Dublin. Day trip to Clonmacnois. In addition, being one of the oldest Christian communities in Ireland, the site is also home to the Cross of Scriptures and some of the most famous High Crosses in all of Europe. Afternoon visit to the Rock of Cashel. |
| Day 5 | Dublin. Day Trip to Dunbrody and Wexford. |
| Day 6 | Belfast. Bus trip to Belfast, Northern Ireland. |
| Day 7 | Belfast. Visit the Titanic Belfast Museum and St. George’s Market. |
| Day 8 | Belfast. Visit noted C.S. Lewis sites in Belfast and HMS Caroline. |
| Day 9 | Arrive in Oxford. Flight to Heathrow from Belfast. Bus trip to hotel Oxford. Oxford is one of the most famous university towns in all the world. In addition to its historic beauty it was also the place where Tolkien and Lewis spent their teaching careers. |
| Day 10 | Oxford. Explore Oxford. |
| Day 11 | Oxford. Visit sites around Oxford associated with C.S. Lewis (The Kilns, Holy Trinity Church, Magdalene College, The C.S. Lewis Society, etc.). |
| Day 12 | Oxford. Visits sites around Oxford associated with J.R.R. Tolkien (his home, Merton College, Exeter College, Wovercote Cemetery, the Oratory, Pitt River Museum, etc.). |
| Day 13 | Oxford. Day trip to historical Bath. Visit to the Jane Austen Center. Visit the Great Bath, a natural hot springs bath constructed in 70 AD, now one of the best-preserved ruins in the world. |
| Day 14 | Oxford. Day trip to Salisbury and Stonehenge. Listed as one of the top 10 cities in the world to visit by Best in Travel magazine. Visit Salisbury Cathedral. |
| Day 15 | Oxford. Last day in Oxford - your choice of activities. Hike through Port Meadow. Stratford-Upon-Avon (Shakespeare’s birthplace). Punting on River Cherwell. Theater. |
| Day 16 | Arrive in London. Travel to London by train. Afternoon visit to the British Museum. Evening on the town. |
| Day 17 | London. Visit numerous London sites in groups: Imperial War Museum, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, the Churchill War Rooms, the National Gallery, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower, and the Globe Theater. Take in a Shakespeare play at the Globe. |
| Day 18 | London. Day trip to Windsor Castle, home to the queen and over 900 years of Royal History. |
| Day 19 | London. Day trip to Cambridge. Cambridge is England’s other famous university city. We will go punting on the River Cam and visit King’s College. |
| Day 20 | London. Last day in London – your choice of activities. See selection on Day 17. Also Premier league soccer, rugby, cricket. |
| Day 21 | London. Leave from Heathrow airport. |
