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Adventure Ireland was, and continues to be the single most amazing
experience of my life. The friends I made the summer of 2010 are some of
the most influential people in my life, and are still a blessing and
support system; people I know I can always turn to. (As is Collie of
course, he'll always be the eccentric yet lovable uncle I never had.) As
a whole I felt so well taken care of at AI, between the staff and the
town that became our home away from home, we discovered so much about
the world and about ourselves. And of course, we enjoyed every minute of
it!
Julia Marie Roth 2010
My course of study was largely shaped by my experience with
Adventure Ireland. I minored in Irish Studies as an undergraduate and
took a Masters Degree in Irish Language and Early Irish Literature. I
have a small group of Irish speaking friends, with whom I speak
reguarly, and I am active in the Boston Irish music community (I play
fiddle). I learned to play fiddle through the Boston Chapter of
Comholtas Cealtoiri Eireann.
Sarah McGarrell, 1996.
I have always been proud of my Irish heritage, but since my trip with
the Adventure Ireland program, I have never felt more in touch with my
family, my faith, my history, or myself. I now have a much better
understanding of who I am as a proud Irish-American citizen. My trip was
the most amazing experience of my entire life and I think about it and
miss it nearly every day. I made friendships I’m sure will last a life
time, and we talk to each other every day and still visit one another
during the summer. Even with all of that, the best part of the trip for
me was Niamh Hamill. I feel that she taught me more in one month than I
have learned in all of my years in school. She is an amazingly
intelligent, kind, and talented individual who has inspired me in
countless ways and I am so incredibly thankful for everything she has
done for me.
Lucy King 2012
Connecting with my Irish heritage was a big reason behind why I went,
and going made me feel even more connected/proud of that. It was fun,
challenging, and interesting – I was so happy that I did it. Niamh and
Collier were unforgettable – funny, warm, knowledgeable, and totally
engaged in every aspect of the trip so it never felt like simply a
“tour” or summer camp, but a group experience during which every person
got something new out of it. I went back to Ireland several times
afterward, as a tourist and on my own trips, and I would go back again
in a heartbeat. I am still in touch with one girl I met on the program,
almost 15 years ago.
Jessica Mack 1998.
My first trip to Ireland was very much a coming-of-age experience. It
was my first trip out of the USA, certainly the farthest I had ever
traveled from home. The program allowed me to discover a keen interest
in travel, which has not left me since. The Adventure Ireland program
helped me forge a strong connection to Ireland—the culture, its history,
the sheer beauty of the countryside. The staff was incredible, and the
trip was so overwhelmingly positive that I returned to Ireland after I
graduated from high school to explore more of the country and retrace my
steps.
Sam Stover 2003
Our daughters’ experience with Adventure Ireland
was life changing. As parents, our hope for her always is to gather the
best life has to offer and reflect on the lessons learned – Adventure
Ireland is at the top of the “best life has to offer” list! We could not
be more thrilled with the teaching, the staff, the adventures, the
accommodations and the unique genuineness of the program.
Tracy Bertram, mom of Mary Willis 2010.
The summers I spent at Adventure Ireland were the best summers of my
life. So good in fact that I went back 8 times! You will not find a
staff more enthusiastic and passionate about what they are doing than
Niamh and Collie and all the staff at Adventure Ireland. I also made
lifelong friends that I’m still in touch with to this day, many years
later. All those summers at Adventure Ireland were definitely a big
influence on my life and what I'm doing now. On the program I developed
such a passion and love for Ireland, the Irish people and Irish culture
that I couldn’t stay away! After I graduated college, I decided to move
to Ireland to continue my studies. So it’s now 13 years since I first
attended Adventure Ireland program and I’m now living in Ireland and it
feels like home, and I can tell you for sure that Niamh, Collie and
Adventure Ireland had a lot to do with it!
Billy Guinan 1998- 2005
I could never have asked for a more warm, welcoming, good-natured, fun
group of people to welcome me into Ireland. I still feel a strong sense
of connection to everyone who was part of my stay, and love keeping in
touch; AI isn’t about just a job or going through the motions. It's real
and from the heart.
I feel such a strong connection to Ireland itself now as well. I’d
always loved the idea of it before, but after living there for a few
weeks it feels like home. AI lets you come to know the place of Ireland:
the land itself, the history, what makes it so incredible, without
gimmicks or tourist traps, which is invaluable. My stay there only
strengthened my sense of Irish heritage, and I still ache to return.
Mackenzie Suess 2011.
The program definitely intensified my own sense of Irishness; it was
great being able to see the country and just get a feel of what the land
is like. The program also brought closeness between myself and my family
since we were able to talk about our experiences and bond over that. I’m
still friends with some of the kids I met during the program, which is
very nice.
Patsy Williams 2007
Being in Ireland exposed me to the complexity of the Irish national
identity. Before coming to Ireland, I was not really aware of the unique
regional cultures and perspectives that make up the nation. By living
with Irish teens, I was able to see the world from their viewpoint, and
my awareness of my identity as an American was enhanced by being one of
the few U.S. citizen representatives at the Centre.
Kyle Bloomster 2008, 2009.
After experiencing the hand-off and pick up, I would be far less
reluctant to just put our child on a non-stop flight unsupervised
(although having the chance to “stop-in” in Ireland was great!). From a
“worried parent” standpoint, I have complete confidence that the
students are properly supervised. We were also impressed by the variety
of activities our campers tried (and enjoyed) outside of what we thought
their “comfort zones” were.
From the standpoint of our children, both have maintained friendships
that developed during their stay in Ireland, and the friends they gained
are exactly the type you’d want your children to have.
Ron & Tracy Roth, parents of Julia
(2010) and Caroline (2009)
I have no Irish background but had a wonderful trip and learned a lot.
It was great to have the opportunity to live with a friendly Irish
family and during the day, learn about the culture, history and see
historical places that tied into what we had learned in the morning! I
did not know what to expect being as young as I was and I truly believe
I learned a lot in the short time I was there. I have always wanted to
return to Ireland since and have not yet had the opportunity but am
thankful to Adventure Ireland for giving me my first taste of a
beautiful and rich country!
Ali Kovacs 1999. (15)
My time in Ireland with the Adventure Ireland camp was the most amazing
experience of my life. I met so many life long friends and learned so
much about my heritage and family. My favorite memory of the trip was
when Niamh told us about the horrific struggles of our ancestors and by
coming back to the lands they once roamed, that we are the happy ending
they only dreamed of. Niamh, Collie, and the rest of the staff at
Adventure Ireland Summercamp are an amazing bunch of people dedicated to
making your Ireland experience one you will cherish for the rest of your
life.
Lucy King 2010
I had the best summers of my life in Donegal with Adventure Ireland
and DAC. You cannot find a better staff than Collie, Niamh, Dickie,
Trish and all the other great staffers. I had some of my fondest
memories in Ireland and made amazing friends that I still keep in touch
with after 5 years (hard to believe it's actually been that long). It's
a great experience, and you'll regret nothing!
Trent Traynor 2005-2008
Massachusetts
Adventure Ireland was a fantastic, supportive, education and - most
importantly - fun way to learn about Ireland and spend a summer. I also
made great friends that I'm still in touch with over a decade later!
Anelise Shrout 2001
Our son Billy has attended AI programs since he was 11 yrs. He is now
17 and at Villanova and still he went back to AI last summer for 2
sessions. The program itself is very well run and very attentive to the
students needs. The staff is outstanding and very dedicated. We have
met almost the entire staff at one time or another and Niamh and Collie
definitely have the kids "best interest" always in mind. Since our
son's first trip, has has returned every summer, sometimes with friends
from the area and sometimes by himself. The past 3 years he also
attended an intensive French Language Summer Program in France in
addition to his Ireland Program. (That was my wife and I's excuse to
visit europe, we usually met him in Dublin and dropped him at his
French Program) As for logistics, supervision and organization of the
Adventure Ireland Program. I have never seen any better. Niamh and
Collie give very detailed instructions for arriving in Dublin. The
accommodations at the camp are great according to Billy and the program
is structured so their Irish programs, sports and a good deal of bus
trips to major sights of interest. So, in closing, I guess you know our
experience with AI has always been a positive one
Bill Guinan 2003-2008
Boston
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I just spoke to Augie who made it safely to the second leg of his
Summer vacation. He flew to Boston today and is on his way north to
Maine with his godmother and her family. Augie called me from the
airport before boarding his plane and just said, "Mom, camp was fine, in
fact, it was excellent. I'm returning next year and this time for three
weeks!" Well, looks like Augie's Summer plans are already made. Makes my
life easy! Collie, I'd like to thank you and the entire staff for
helping a young man gain confidence in himself and for making his stay
in Ireland so special.
Elisabeth de La Noue, 2009
Augie's Mom
My trip to Ireland was and forever will be one of the best experiences
of my life. In such a short time, I made irreplaceable memories, dear
friends, and gained stories to last me a lifetime. I loved my time with
Adventure Ireland immeasurably, and you can be sure I'm going to
recommend it to everyone I know! Love,
Claire McCrea, 2010
So far my wife and her 3 siblings and 2 of my nieces have done this
summer program. I can't wait until my own kids are old enough to spend
some time in Ireland for their summer... I only wish I could stow away
in their suitcase! Keep up the great work- they all still talk about
what a wonderful experience this was
Bruce Van Hoven
I had so much fun with Adventure Ireland. It was literally the best
summer of my life. Looking back, and I know it sounds cheesy, the
adventures and things I learned that summer have influenced the type of
person I am today. :-)
Julia Rose O Hara 2010
