University College Dublin 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.

• Dun Laoghaire Afternoon: Once a place for Victorian Dubliners to vacation in style, seaside Dun Laoghaire (pronounced Dun Leery), is now a thriving suburb with a busy main street and funky cafes. Walk the pier following the footsteps of literary greats like James Joyce to a well-known swimming spot called 40 Foot. Explore art, small beaches, and history of restored Victorian bathing pools, and enjoy the best ice cream in Ireland.
• Gaelic Games at Croke Park: 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 Royal Dublin Society: Walk to the center of the city as you soak up the atmosphere with local Leinster fans, then and catch the excitement as the home team goes for a win.
• Stand-up Comedy or a Play: Dublin is known for summer arts festivals that often center on food, film, or theater. Take part for a unique taste of Irish culture.
• Alternative Dublin Walking Tour: Explore bustling thoroughfares and hidden lanes alike to discover the characters that make up Ireland’s vibrant music scene and see the city’s fabulous street art. Along the way, learn about the city's LGBTQIA+ contributions to local culture.
• Day Trip to the Hill of Tara and Newgrange (Brú na Boinne): Travel back in time with a visit to these sacred sites of ancient Ireland, which include the spiritual home of the Celts and a 5,200-year-old burial mound. Don’t miss the chance to explore this UNESCO World Heritage site and its exceptional prehistoric art.
• 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.