The Expedition

From the music-filled streets of Dublin to the windswept Aran Islands, Ireland is a land of incredible beauty, where pre-historic monuments, medieval churches, and mythological sites seem to appear around every corner. A vibrant musical and literary culture still thrives here, even as a recent economic boom is changing the face of the country. From the perspective of an On Assignment project of your choice — Documentary Film, Writing, or Archaeology & Ancient Culture — explore the importance of tradition in modern-day Ireland.

DUBLIN
7 days. Once a city of downtrodden writers and revolutionaries, Dublin is now better known for its prospering entrepreneurs, whose success has been fueled by an economic surge that has earned Ireland the nickname "the Celtic Tiger." Vestiges of its long and fascinating history are still scattered across the city center. Make yourself at home in one of Dublin's vibrant neighborhoods, and gather for a brief orientation to Irish culture and history. Then break into your exploration teams and set out into the city to explore Ireland through your writing, film, or archaeology projects. The Vikings founded this city in the ninth century, and the British ruled it for more than 800 years. Examine Ireland's ancient past at the National Museum, and trace its medieval history on visits to Dublin Castle, Trinity College, and Wood Quay. At Kilmainham Jail and O'Connell Street, follow the dramatic events of the Easter Rising and the War of Independence, fought against the British between 1919 and 1921. Dive into Dublin's charismatic culture, listening to buskers play music of every kind, strolling along the Liffey River, and sampling the city's rich theater scene at one of its historic theaters. Explore the megalithic tombs of Newgrange, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take a day excursion into the hills of County Wicklow to Glendalough where lush mountains cradle two placid lakes and one of Ireland's most important monastic sites. Wander through the sixth-century monastery founded by St. Kevin and the Celtic crosses of its cemetery. Then head into the mountains on a variety of hiking trails offering incredible views of this "Glen of Two Lakes."

GALWAY AND THE ARAN ISLANDS
7 days. Travel by train to Galway, the most important city on the west coast. Famous for its annual arts festival, Galway is a lively center of arts and music with a well-preserved old city center. We'll sit in on an Irish ceilidh (or jam session), see a play, and explore the cobblestone streets of the old city center. Visit the village of Doolin, the epicenter of traditional Irish music, where every night musicians from all around the world hunker down and play the rich acoustic music of Ireland. Travel through the boglands of Connemara and hike up the legendary mountain, Croagh Patrick. Then take a ferry to Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands. Inishmore is a breathtakingly beautiful island where thatched cottages are tucked into green pastures, and a thick layer of limestone creates a wild moonscape in some places. Some of the oldest early Christian sites in Ireland can be found here, including monastic settlements and the incredible Dún Aengus, a Celtic ring fort whose function is still a mystery, built on the edge of a cliff that plunges to the Atlantic below. Inishmore is also one of the last Gaeltachts where Gaelic is spoken more readily than English.

SLIGO
5 days. Drive northeast into bucolic County Sligo, known as "Yeats Country" after its native son, the renowned poet W.B. Yeats. From our base here, we'll discover charming towns, medieval churches and castles, and pre-historic sites. In Celtic mythology, Sligo was the seat of power of Queen Maeve of Connaught, and its landscape is rich with legends. Venture to the megalithic tombs at Carrowmore and Knocknarea, sites that date back to the Stone Age and give us a glimpse of how the earliest people on this island lived. Visit Yeats' cherished Lake Isle of Innisfree, and pay a visit to the poet's grave in the shadow of Ben Bulben, a mystical plateau rising out of the gentle hills. We'll wrap up our On Assignment projects in Sligo and end our Irish odyssey by presenting them to the group.

National Geographic Expert

MICHAEL GIBBONS is one of Ireland's most respected archaeologists, as well as a writer and a mountaineer. A popular presenter on archaeology throughout Ireland, he has lectured worldwide, including at the National Geographic Society, Oxford, and Cambridge; and has written many publications on archaeology in Ireland. Michael's extensive knowledge of Ireland comes from more than 20 years of exploring its multifaceted landscapes on foot, by boat, and from the air. Michael will join us in Galway.