London, England (2 nights)

Included only for students on the optional AIFS Flight Package

Get to know your fellow students before traveling to campus and take a sightseeing tour with a professional guide who will point out some of London’s famous landmarks including Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and the Tower of London. You will also have free time to visit museums, see a play or stroll in London’s beautiful parks.

Includes accommodation, breakfast and sightseeing as indicated. Lunch and dinner are not included.

Dublin (day trip)

Included in program fee

On the day after arrival, take a trip into Dublin for an introduction to the Irish capital and a chance to get your bearings. Included will be a visit to the Guinness Storehouse and a welcome meal at Dublin’s oldest pub, The Brazen Head.

Includes transportation and visits.

Glendalough and Dun Laoghaire (day trip)

Included in program fee

Glendalough is one of the most popular tourist sites in Ireland. St. Kevin established a famous monastery at Glendalough in the 6th century and it continued to flourish as a place of pilgrimage until the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century. Many of the ruins were destroyed in the 19th century. The picturesque lake and surrounding mountains create a wonderful landscape combined with the monastic ruins. A visit to the seaside town of Dun Laoghaire is also included.

Includes transportation and sightseeing.

Irish Farm Experience (day trip)

Included in program fee

Travel to the outskirts of Dublin to a working Irish farm for an afternoon of fun-filled events. Make your own Irish soda bread, learn to play the Irish drum, dance a Ceilidh, take a tractor ride, milk a cow and more! If you’re feeling adventurous, get nice and muddy with a good old jump in the bog.

Includes transportation and light refreshments.

Giant’s Causeway (day trip)

Included in program fee

Flanked by the Atlantic Ocean and dramatic cliffs the world famous basalt columns of the Giant’s Causeway have inspired visitors for centuries. Interested students will have the opportunity to extend their stay in Northern Ireland into the weekend at their own expense to include a Game of Thrones themed tour of the filming locations.

Includes transportation and sightseeing.

Dates and itineraries of all excursions are tentative and subject to change.

In addition to the excursions listed above Maynooth University will offer an optional excursion during the summer school which will be available to AIFS students. The destination and price will not be determined until early 2019 and details will be posted on the AIFS website once available. In summer 2018 this was a 2 day/1 night excursion to Galway and the Cliffs of Moher.