Burren College of Art Partnership

Activities and excursions are designed to pull you into the communities you visit and encourage cultural connections of every kind. There’s no extra fee to participate in these optional outings—everything is included in your program fee.

Below are examples from previous terms; outings may be different for your program. We’ll make every effort to run them all, but sometimes things we can’t control, such as local regulations and health protocols, get in the way. As a result, we cannot guarantee activities and excursions.

• Monks Restaurant Outing. This popular spot has been serving up fresh seafood straight from Galway Bay for more than 40 years. Join us for a celebratory meal in Ballyvaughn, right on the glorious Atlantic.
• Ennis day trip. Soak up the lovely market in the county town of Clare, exploring fresh food, quirky shops, historic churches, the haunting ruins of an 12^th century monastery and 13th century friary, and a welcoming library.
• Aillwee Caves. Get new perspective on beautiful Country Clare with hilltop views and underground exploration of the half-mile cave system, with a hidden river, stalactites, and stalagmites, carved into the local karst limestone. In the same location, the Birds of Centre gives you a close look at awesome raptors, including hawks, eagles, and owls.
• Kilkenny weekend. Don’t miss this two-night trip to Kilkenny, a charming medieval city dating back to 1195. Stay in a hostel with IFSA students who are studying all over Ireland and explore this small central Ireland standout, known for its history, artisan food, sporting culture—and Ireland’s most notorious witch. Visit a local farm, try hurling with a local coach, test yourself with a pub quiz, explore Kilkenny Castle, and more.

Students at the Burren College of Art are usually invited to the University of Galway or University of Limerick activities and excursions.

Limerick Activities and Excursions

• King John’s Castle: Step inside the walls of Limerick’s most iconic landmark in the heart of Limerick’s medieval quarter. Discover the stories of ruthless King John, noble knights, and rebellious natives, which bring 800 years of dramatic local history to life.
• Rugby match at Thomond Park: Take in the atmosphere as you walk with Munster Rugby supporters to the stadium, just outside the city center. Then catch the excitement as you cheer on the home team.
• Historic Milk Market: Established in 1852, the Milk Market was a hub for the local economy. Today, it’s open weekends and full of stalls serving everything from coffee to crafts to pre-loved books. Discover your favorite stalls and chat with the local vendors about their wares.
• Afternoon at Bunratty Castle and Folk-Park: Stroll around this perfectly recreated village, complete with fishing cottages, farmhouses from rural Ireland, a Victorian school, mills, a working farm, and the 15th century tower house from Bunratty Castle. Then enjoy a pub dinner at the incomparable Durty Nelly’s bar, with a unique vibe from 400 years back.

Galway Activities and Excursions

• Historic City Lane Walking Tour: A local guide takes us from the Spanish Arch through the old city to Eyre Square. Along the way, learn about the medieval roots and dramatic family feuds of the City of the Tribes, as well as its global political links. It’s a great way to go beyond a tourist’s perspective to understand the history and rich contemporary culture you’ll see throughout these bustling, bohemian lanes.
• Gaelic Games Experience: Ireland’s national Gaelic games include hurling, Gaelic football, handball, and camogie—ancient sports not widely known outside Ireland. Try them yourself with guidance from local coaches.
• Rugby Match at The Sportsground: Take in the atmosphere as you walk with Connacht Rugby supporters to the stadium, just outside the city center. Then catch the excitement as you cheer on the home team.
• Stand-up Comedy or City Festival: Galway is known for drawing comedians who want to try new material on a discerning audience and monthly festivals that often center on food, film, or theater.
• Day Trip to Connemara and Kylemore Abbey: Hop on the bus to tour the wilds of Connemara and its must-see rugged landscape on the way to the west coast’s best scenery. Stop at Kylemore Abbey and gardens for a tour of this majestic, rural castle and Benedictine monastery, built in the early 1920s by Pollacapal Lough. The landscape alone will take your breath away, inspiring you to return to explore the towns of Clifden and Lenaun again.