North West

Objective: The main objective is to give Irish language students the opportunity to speak with native-speakers of the vernacular, to develop their conversational and idiomatic command of the language, and to experience the richness of Irish Gaelic culture as a living tradition.

Course Curriculum: The curriculum is designed to maximize the possibilities of student interaction with the community of native-speakers in the area and to provide as much exposure as possible to the cultural, historical and geographical beauty of Ireland. The course has a number of core elements: Morning class work; Guest-speaker program; Guided trips to places of historical and cultural significance that have featured in the guests’ talks.

Credits: The course is a four-credit course, open to traditional and non-traditional students who have completed two years or 12 credits of instruction in the language.

Dates: May 12 to June 3. Students depart USA on Friday, May 12 and return on Saturday, June 3.

Cost: $2500. A non-refundable deposit of $300 must be paid by Friday, 14 April 2023. This price covers tuition, accommodation, transport as well as ferry and admission costs to places of cultural and historic interest. The price quoted does not include flights, food or other living expenses.

Accommodation: Students will be housed in fully furnished, self-catering holiday homes at Na Cluainte, in Ballyferriter village. These homes are of the highest standards and have all modern conveniences and appliances.

Contact: traolach.oriordain@mso.umt.edu or info@friendsofirishstudies.com

The University of Montana currently offers five courses of instruction on campus as well as evening community classes in Missoula and Helena; Irish language immersion days in Butte, Bozeman, Great Falls and Helena; and a week-long immersion program every July in Butte. There are also conversation groups meeting three evenings a week in Missoula and groups meeting once a week in Helena and Butte. There are three instructors from Ireland teaching the courses in the fall with another two teachers joining in the spring to facilitate progress in conversational Irish. Information about classes is available at www.cas.umt.edu/irishstudies and at www.irishmontana.com.