Come to Éire for knowledge, for education, experience, culture, language, music, abundant heritage, literature, scenery, food, architecture, the Guinness, festivals, adventure sports, the craic, the arts (ad infinitum!).
Stay to nourish your soul.
During both our short faculty-led programs and semester-long faculty-led programs you will experience world class teaching both inside and outside the classroom through an immersive authentic cultural experience is not limited to those who have been born in Ireland – The Celtic Connection can transcend many generations and cultures. You will experience our wonderful historic sites, beautiful landscapes, amazing heritage and contemporary culture. You will connect your heart and mind with real Irish people. The Celtic Connection is powerful one that can have a simple and transformative effect on all our lives – both student and teacher. Many of our students who have come to Ireland had not previously traveled abroad. It is a great first step into the wider world, and for many, the first of many journeys.
Everyone has a little bit of Irish Sparkle in their soul. Let us unlock it and create another place of belonging for you.
Our History
Coláiste Chamuis was founded in 1973 to provide authentic Irish language, cultural and educational experiences in Ireland for students. Since then Coláiste Chamuis has hosted…..
Coláiste Chamuis caters annually for some 1,900 students from all over Ireland. Over 47,000 students have received “Fáilte Chroíúil na Gaeltachta” – “An Open Hearted Gaeltacht Welcome” from us since 1973. It has been, and continues to be a privilege, to introduce An Ghaeilge to our students as a living, vibrant language. As our motto says “Is fiú agus is féidir”.
The Denvir tradition continues as the second generation of the family are now involved in all aspects of the Coláiste Chamuis.
It’s sister company Celtic Culutre was founded in 2011 to to provide that same authentic cultural and educational experiences in Ireland for students and visitors from North America and Canada of Irish background and those who have an interest in Ireland, it’s culture, language, sport and people
Since then, we have hosted hundreds of students, adults, families and groups, and provided a unique and unforgettable visit to Ireland.
We work with a number of educational, leisure and cultural organisations in Canada, the United States, Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Who We Are
Siobhán Denvir Bairéad and Seán Denvir are the directors of Coláiste Chamuis. They coordinate a team of instructors, local experts, partner-organizations and cultural artists to work with you, from the planning stage of your trip right through to the day you (reluctantly) return home.
Why Education travel with Celtic Culture
- We at Celtic Culture are especially passionate about Educational Travel. Having grown up around University life in an academic, education centred, home, Siobhán, our managing director, is especially sensitive to, and respectful of, the unique requirements and wishes of the educational traveller.
- We treat the development of our faculty-led programs as an opportunity to contribute to each client’s life masterclass. There is nothing more satisfying than facilitating the broadening of minds (and inciting healthy debate and contemplation!). We have had the pleasure of providing many US universities and alumni travellers of those universities with some unique experiences and learning opportunities in the company of some of the most respected teachers and scholars in the world. We have also had the privilege of proudly sharing with them the extraordinary local expertise and talent that Ireland has to offer.
- We work in partnership with universities colleges and schools, to arrange high quality academic and cultural study travel to Ireland.
Course Staff
Our talented and motivated staff subscribe to the Celtic Culture philosophy of sharing the many facets of Irish Culture, the Irish Language and Irish Heritage with as many people as possible in an impactful and positive way. Over the years we have cultivated a teaching community that is invested in sharing it’s passion and knowledge of Ireland as a living culture with overseas and domestic students of all ages and backgrounds.
The Community
Another important aspect of the work of Celtic Culture is its economic influence on the Gaeltacht in a very language-friendly way. Celtic Culture is proud to be associated with positive community and language development in the Gaeltacht. We are delighted that so many Irish-speaking host families work with us, and that many of our staff are from Gaeltacht areas. We believe that this is a positive indication that Irish will continue to be the spoken language of our area and that young people from all over Ireland and the from further afield will continue to come to Connemara to learn the living language.
Celtic Culture is fortunate to be a part of the fabric of a local vibrant community where we receive much help from many local people in in our work in welcoming visitors to the Gaeltacht.
Site Visits
Our doors are always open to faculty members and global studies advisors who wish to experience Connemara before developing and preparing for a future study trip to Ireland. Please contact Siobhán directly for further information.
How our Programs work
Each Study Abroad Program is crafted to the educational and cultural requirements of the faculty and institution. We will develop and deliver a program that will add value to the overall University/College Course by ensuring relevance and effective learning. The Celtic Culture Study Abroad Program may be focused on a particular category of studies or it may have an interdisciplinary program focus. Our expert lecturers will always work with you until we have created the most beneficial and impactful program for your group. Most of our programs are open to U.S. College and University students and faculty. Please contact us to find out if there is a program suitable for your needs or if you would like us develop a bespoke study trip tailored specifically for your students educational and cultural requirements. We have been working with U.S. Colleges, Universities for a number of years, providing first-rate, good value, memorable and authentic experiences in Ireland for student groups. We have had the privilege of proudly sharing with these groups the extraordinary local expertise and talent that Ireland has to offer. Our team teaches and mentors your groups on the ground. At the planning stage our team works hand in hand with your institution to provide a Study Abroad Program that seamlessly meets your educational and cultural needs. We consistently find that working directly with Colleges and Institutions results in a better fit regarding both course content and delivery in addition to being easier to administrate. We are very happy to put you in touch with our partner Colleges and Universities in the USA for reference and feedback.
Teaching Approach/Philosophy
- Learning will be by means of lectures, seminars, dramatic performances, guided tours and informed contact with the music, language, and people of Ireland. An interdisciplinary approach will be used within each module and between the modules taught on campus.
- Students have the unrivalled opportunity to delve into Irish culture in the heart of the Irish-speaking Connemara Galway Gaeltacht region. Students do not merely read about Ireland; they live the Irish experience through hands-on seminars led by accomplished scholars and local experts using Connemara as the campus classroom. All of our programs feature active participation and immersion – both in and out of the classroom. What develops is a profound understanding of Celtic culture and society, historically and in the modern world.
- Our programs focus on the goal of in-depth experience of another culture, culture as rich and varied as Connemara and its community. To achieve the cultural immersion objective, we design the academics, excursions, housing, and community engagement opportunities to interrelate and intensify the immersion experience.
- Courses include local field trips and community-based projects that give students the opportunity learn first-hand the lessons and theories of the classroom. Also, a variety of excursions and cultural activities are included to provide students with a living experience of Irish culture and history.