University Programs

Our programs are developed in conjunction with the relevant college professor and formatted in line with their specific academic requirements, focusing on the Irish language, culture, society, politics, traditions, crafts and environment.

Organisers can liaise directly with Dr. Seosamh Watson (Cultural Director) or with Liam Ó Cuinneagáin (Executive Director). Oideas Gael program directors are available to travel to the university or college to meet with study abroad organisers, college authorities and students.

Accommodation is organised in self-catering houses on and off-campus or in B&B with local host families. The academic leaders may stay in a fully-fitted private cottage adjacent to Oideas Gael campus. Free Wi-Fi is available as is the use of local sports and gym facilities. Travel from various airports can be readily arranged.

Gleann Cholm Cille, County Donegal, offers the opportunity for staff and students to experience, at firsthand, the uniqueness of rural Ireland and to become familiar with the traditions and culture of the region without the stresses of an urban environment.

Oideas Gael has also developed significant expertise in delivering specialist online courses across almost all aspects of our normal programme of study.

Examples

• The Department of Celtic Studies at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee has a long-standing association with Oideas Gael. The innovative work by Professor John Gleeson has led to the development of a strong cohort of Irish language enthusiasts in the Milwaukee area; this promotion of Irish culture has led to the formation of ‘The Colmcille Semester’ offering students a period in Oideas Gael as well as twelve weeks in the Department of Irish Studies at the University of Ulster. UWM students also attend a three week program at Oideas Gael during July.
• Evergreen College, Olympia, Washington offers a triennial four-week program under the direction of Professor Seán Williams. The students participate in a broad range of activities in the Irish Language, sean-nós singing, dance, storytelling, poetry with Don Byrne and Cathal Ó Searcaigh, knitting, archaeology and cultural studies.
• Hartwick College, Oneonta, New York offers its students a biennial Oideas Gael program under the leadership of Dr. Reid Golden. The Hartwick students focus on social and cultural studies with a strong interaction with the local community on local issues as well as broader sociocultural themes affecting rural Ireland. They also take workshops in dance, bodhrán playing, song, storytelling and archaeology. All workshops are delivered by local people with knowledge and expertise passed on from earlier generations.

Other schools and colleges taking Oideas Gael programs in the past include: University of Prince Edward Island, Canada; University of Southern California, CA; University of Wisconsin-Greenbay, WI; Lesley College, Cambridge, MA; Northeastern University, Boston, MA; Siena College, Albany, NY; Millersville University, PA; Colleges in Germany (Oldenburg) and Italy (University of Bologna); University College Dublin; Dublin City University; and numerous others.