Ireland
 

Program
& info            spring 2026

WhatsApp

not on mute!

Teachers' phone numbers

Krista +358 50 3259568
Taru +358 50 5484 027

Don't forget:

- adapter

- money for snacks/dinner

- suitable SHOES
- warm clothing

- a towel

- power bank
- EU insurance
If you have your laptop with you, and you need to use classroom or google drive, you need to do this while in Finland:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iPPuSE25D86P5OOZTSjVe59NzESJ6MCd/edit

As few valuables as possible!

You need a phone, but no laptop
unless absolutely necessary.

HELSINGIN KAUPUNGIN VAKUUTUS
TRAVELER'S INSURANCE INFO

bit.ly/alphel26

CLASSROOM

lgudwyhh

https://www.parabol.co/random-icebreaker-generator/

Dublin

Flights

INITIAL INFO
FILL THIS OUT ASAP
https://forms.gle/MBKUTfVad9HSXuUQ6

ID/PASSPORT (copy)
 

Sitoumus (signed slip)

Allergies (form)

SECOND MEETING

?

• icebreakers 
• passports & signed papers
• program
• room division
• what to pack
• ?
• slide 11: assignments:
  PUBLIC (tryout!) &
  PRIVATE (help & evaluation)
• slide 12: start planning your presentation

DUBLIN About the hostel

The hostel consists of a main and annex building. The buildings are located beside each other.
Breakfast is served in the main building, so guests staying in the annex will need to walk directly next door to have breakfast.
Free: breakfast, bed linen, Wi-Fi
(BRING YOUR OWN TOWEL - Towels can be hired from
reception for € 2.00 per towel)
The group leader is required to fill in a code of conduct on
arrival, as well as pay a €300.00 refundable noise/security
deposit by credit card. Report anything broken on day 1!

Might be: noisy (ear plugs), hot/cold, small rooms,
poor water pressure. Valuables should be kept on your
person and not left in the room/luggage storage.
No elevator!

• FREE Buffet breakfast - It includes tea, coffee, hot chocolate, juices, tap/flavoured water, milk (including non-dairy options - ask staff), white and brown bread, pancakes, breakfast cereals, porridge, sausage rolls, salad (fresh vegetables and hummus), selection of meats and cheese, fresh fruit. Available daily from 07:30 to 09:30 am.
• FREE Wi-Fi throughout hostel
• FREE Self-catering kitchen
• FREE Bed linen (sheets, pillows, duvet cover)
• FREE Cinema room
• FREE Lounge room
• FREE Games room
• FREE Luggage storage facilities

Rooming Breakdown​ (all ensuite)

Sunday, May 4th, 2025

Discovering Dublin  - guided group walk & mini presentations
1. Beshoffs

2. Spire
3. James Joyce statue
4. The Liffey
5. Ha'penny bridge
6. Samuel Becket bridge (from afar)
7. Temple bar
8. Rock'n'Roll museum
9. Molly Malone statue
10. College Green
11. St. Stephen's Green

We will meet at College Green at 3 p.m.

Presentation Trinity College ( Mahdi & Antto)
 

Trinity College guided tour of the grounds 3.30 pm

Sunday, May 4th, 2025

After the guided tour of Trinity, check-in at the hostel and free time until 6:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m. Presentation St. Patrick's & May the 4th (Lotta & Aada F)
6:30 p.m. Walk to the church (approx. 30 minutes)
7:30–8:30 p.m. Concert
 

​​11:00 p.m. Lights out

May the Fourth

Join us for a fun-packed recital for all ages to mark Star Wars Day, performed on the mighty 1902 Willis Organ of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral by organists Stuart Nicholson and Harry Meehan. Sit back and enjoy live performances of these iconic scores played on one of Ireland’s largest organs – all 4000 pipes of it. The intergalactic programme includes music from all 9 films from the Skywalker saga with a few other Sci-fi classics thrown in for good measure.

Galway

Monday 5th May

Breakfast at the hostel
A substantial breakfast is served between
07:30 - 09:30 daily in the Restaurant

by train

12:00 – Arrival at Galway Train Station
Quick orientation and start walking toward Eyre Square (right outside the station).

12:10 – Eyre Square 
Explore the square, see the Browne Doorway and Quincentennial Fountain GROUP 1. A good place to introduce some Galway facts and history. GROUP 2

12:30 – Galway Cathedral
Short walk along the River Corrib to the impressive Galway Cathedral. GROUP 3 Time to admire the interior (about 10–15 minutes).

12:50 – River Corrib Walk
Walk along the River Corrib towards the Salmon Weir Bridge and enjoy the riverside views. GROUP 4 Continue toward the Latin Quarter.

Galway Walking Tour and Visit Program

13:10 – The Latin Quarter and Shop Street
Stroll through the lively streets of the Latin Quarter (including Shop Street). GROUP 5
Enjoy the colorful storefronts, buskers, and small shops.

Photo challenge: Take pictures with buskers, colorful buildings, and Irish-language signs.

13:40 – Spanish Arch
Short walk to the Spanish Arch GROUP 6, one of Galway’s iconic landmarks. Group photo opportunity here!

13:50 – Lunch Break
Suggested options: The Dough Bros (pizza, casual and teenager-friendly), Boojum (Mexican food, fast and popular),  McDonagh’s (classic Irish fish and chips).

About 1.5 hours for lunch and a little free time to explore nearby shops or grab dessert.

15:20 – Walk toward Grattan Beach
From the Spanish Arch area, walk along the coast via the Martin Connolly Causeway. GROUP 7.  Briefly stop at Grattan Beach GROUP 8 to enjoy the seaside atmosphere without walking deep into Salthill. GROUP 9

15:50 – Optional Mutton Island Causeway Walk
Those who wish can start walking along the Mutton Island Causeway GROUP 10, a scenic path leading out into Galway Bay. GROUP 11
(You can walk part of the way for beautiful views without needing to reach the island itself.)

16:20 – Head back toward the city center
Regroup and walk back toward Eyre Square.
You can return via the coast or through charming side streets to see more of everyday Galway life.

17:00 – Return to Train Station
Short rest or time for quick shopping/snacks
if needed before boarding.

- 21.30 evening meeting: recap presentations on Galway (Galway general info, Spanish Arch, Cathedral – Eero & Mikko; Claddagh, Salthill Promenade, Mutton Island – Alice & Marve;  Jeanie Johnston. Ada & Lumi;  potato blight & famine: Aada & Ester)

- 22.30 lights out

Mahdi Khan E10
Jyri Muittari E13
Antto Räipiö E20
Lassi Rämä E14
Casper Seppälä E19
Aaryan Talwani E06
 

Luqmaan Mohamed E22
Daniel Ruiz Martinez C25
Leevi Kivelä C24
Elmo Laiho C26
Eero Rantala C41
Mikko Eerola C42

Marve Mets C33
Aada Matikainen C38
Tuuve Isaksson C39
Lumi Myyry C44
Ester Eerola C43
Ada Kilpeläinen C47
 

Inka Korpela E26
Alice Metsähovi E28
Lotta Kilpeläinen E24
Aada Forssell E25

Krista E32
Taru E31

Dublin to Galway

Mahdi Khan C34
Jyri Muittari D38
Antto Räipiö C21
Lassi Rämä E40
Casper Seppälä C36
Aaryan Talwani D16
 

Luqmaan Mohamed C14
Daniel Ruiz Martinez E28
Leevi Kivelä C16
Elmo Laiho  E38
Eero Rantala C39
Mikko Eerola C32

Marve Mets E42
Aada Matikainen E60
Tuuve Isaksson E54
Lumi Myyry E50
Ester Eerola E56
Ada Kilpeläinen E46
 

Inka Korpela D25
Alice Metsähovi D22 
Lotta Kilpeläinen D12
Aada Forssell D10

Krista D32
Taru D34

Galway to Dublin

Dublin day

Tuesday 6th May

- Breakfast at the hostel 7.30 -> (departure at 9.40)

- guided tour Jeanie Johnston 10 - 11
- presentations Easter Rising: Jyri & Elmo + Kilmainham Gaol: Casper: Aaryan

- Leap cards + free time until 3 pm (shopping, Guinness (BOOK TICKETS/ 1 person in the group has to be 18+), IMMA (Irish Museum of Modern Art), other free museums
------------------------------------
Kilmainham Gaol: you have to be at the gate at 15.45.
You can either make your own way there or take the bus
with Krista & Taru. Departure at the hostel at 3 pm.
------------------------------------

- 22.00 evening meeting (Howth: Tuuve & Inka)

- 23.00 lights out

Jeanie Johnston & famine

Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship and Famine Museum Guided Tour


Time: 10:00 am
 

​

KILMAINHAM GAOL

Tuesday 6th May at 4:00 pm

 guided tour of Kilmainham Gaol

https://www.kilmainhamgaolmuseum.ie/

Wednesday, 7th May - Breakfast 7.30-9.30, lazy morning, departure at 11 am (Leap card)
 

Howth - Cliff walk

Wednesday

- 21.00 evening meeting

- 22.00 lights out

Evaluation

COURSE GRADE (public material):

• Per 2:
  - presentation (to be given the previous night without material - prepare this BEFORE we leave!)
  - public material (might be used on the school social media platforms) (DL: evening meeting)
  - video interviews: reactions to the activities (DL: evening meeting)

• 24/7 use of English

EXAM GRADE (private for the teachers):

• Personal video diary which includes at least the following 10 activities (min. Length all videos 60 minutes total, aim for 10 minutes per activity for a better grade) - deadline May 17th, 2025.

PUBLIC

Audio-visual material

[link]

1. Each day has a folder. Download a short video, a photo, and a sound file  into the correct folder (EACH STUDENT DOES THIS!!) ON YOUR SUBJECT.

2. Create s document in the folder and write a short text ON YOUR SUBJECT for the school social media.

PRIVATE

Audio-visual material

You will get a private link to your personal folder later.

You need to hand in 60 minutes' worth of material (video or audio)

The video diary: questions to help you structure your diary / 1

• What did you know about Ireland beforehand? Had you ever been to Ireland before? What had you found out e.g. at school or through literature/television/movies? What were your expectations for the study trip?

• Questions that can be applied to different sights/museums/destinations during the study trip:

  • What is the historical significance of the sight/museum/destination we visited today?

  • How did the visit make you feel? What was the atmosphere like?

  • If there was a guide, how did they manage to make the museum/sight/destination come alive? How did you find the information presented? Was the guide easy to follow/understand? Why/why not? How did the guide take their audience into account?

  • How does the architecture of the sight/museum/destination reflect the cultural and historical context of its time?

  • What were some of the key persons related to the sight/museum/destination we visited?

The video diary: questions to help you structure your diary / 2

• What were some key artifacts or exhibits we encountered, and what do they reveal about the culture or period they belong to?
• In what ways does the sight/museum/destination contribute to our understanding of Irish history?

• What was the most memorable/fascinating experience for you during the study trip? Why?

• What were the everyday interactions like with the locals (at the hostel/cafés/souvenir shops)? How was it to engage in different communicative situations in English?

• What were the biggest surprises for you? Were there any?

• Was there something in Dublin/Ireland that you wished you could have taken with you back to Finland, figuratively speaking?

• Was there something that you experienced or noticed during the study trip that made you appreciate Finland more?

Study trip to Ireland + Northern Ireland: Additional questions to think about/find out:

1. What are some of the names of the bridges across the Liffey? Who/what do the names refer to?

2. What differences can you spot between Ireland and Northern Ireland?

3. What are the most important economic sectors in Ireland?

4. Which famous Irish people did you encounter as statues in Dublin? Why are they significant for Ireland?

5. Since when is Ireland an independent country?

6. Which Irish words did you learn from e.g. road signs?

7. What does ‘Celtic Tiger’ refer to?

8. What’s the Bell Tower superstition with regard to Trinity College?

9. Who was George Salmon and why is he famous?

10. What does ‘An Gorta Mór’ refer to?

Study trip to Ireland + Northern Ireland: Additional questions to think about/find out:

11. What do ‘hillbillies’ have to do with Irish history?
12. What is a cenotaph, and where did you see one?

13. What does ‘Taoiseach’ refer to?

14. What are Falls Road and Shankhill Road? Why are they significant?

15. What is the Easter Rising and when did it take place?

16. What’s the Good Friday Agreement?

17. What are the ‘plantations’ with regard to Irish history?

18. What is Europa Hotel in Belfast famous for?

19. How is religion still relevant in sports, for example?

20. What is a causeway?

21. What does a sphere within a sphere symbolise?

Teams & activities

1. Trinity College: Mahdi & Antto

2. St. Patrick's, May the 4th: Lotta & Aada F

3. potato blight & famine: Aada & Ester

4. Howth: Tuuve & Inka

5. Jeanie Johnston. Ada & Lumi

6. Easter Rising: Jyri & Elmo

7. Kilmainham Gaol: Casper: Aaryan

8. Giant's Causeway: Lassi & Luqmaan

9. Carrick-a-Reed: Daniel & Leevi

10. Galway morning (Galway general info, Spanish Arch, Cathedral): Eero & Mikko
11. Galway afternoon (Claddagh, Salthill Promenade, Mutton Island): Alice & Marve
TO DO: 1. give a presentation on this in Dublin

               2. drop pictures/videos/audio files in the PUBLIC folder

NEXT MEETINGS

Tuesday, March 4th, 2 pm, Hellu


Tuesday, April 1st, 1.30 pm, Alppila room 211
list of things to pay for:
Anything you want to do on Tuesday between 11 and 4 pm
Anything that's not on the program
Breakfast on Thursday & Friday
Lunch and dinner on all other days (2 travel days + 4 days there)
Included:
flights, private bus to the hostel, accommodation, Leap card, guided tour Trinity, concert St. Patrick's, train to Galway & back, guided tour Jeanie Jonhston & Kilmainham, day trip Giant's Causeway, guided tour Causeway, entrance Carrick-a-Reed, private bus to the airport