(Photo provided) Students enjoyed the historic and well preserved Kilkenny castle.

This summer, students from Warren and Fort Frye High Schools joined together through the Washington County Travel Group for an experience of a lifetime, a multi-day journey across Ireland.

From bustling cities to the peaceful countryside, students explored Irish history, culture, and agriculture through hands-on experiences and immersive tours. Here’s a recap of their unforgettable adventure!

After landing in Dublin, the group jumped right into Irish life with a coastal walk, where they even spotted seals along the shore. Next they took a visit to the National Botanical Gardens, learning about plant life from around the world before touring downtown Dublin, exploring local shops, and trying traditional fish and chips. Over the next few days they visited St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Trinity College, and the EPIC Irish Emigration Museum, diving deep into Ireland’s cultural and historical roots before capping off the night with live Irish folklore music and dancing, where a few brave students even stepped onto the dance floor themselves!

As the group made their way south, they stopped in Kilkenny and Tipperary, where agriculture took center stage. First beginning at the Irish National Stud & Gardens, students trained virtual racehorses, explored the farm and the beautiful Japanese gardens. Then students used their free time to explore Kilkenny by taking walking tours of Kilkenny Castle, St. Canice’s Cathedral, and Black Abbey, which all offered deep insights into medieval Irish architecture and faith. During their second day in the Kilkenny region, they took a sweet stop at The Apple Farm in Tipperary, which gave students a literal taste of Ireland with apple juice, dried fruits, and fresh berries all grown and made on the farm. They also toured a local Aubrac cattle farm, learning about the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) and Ireland’s advanced traceability systems for livestock.

In Gorey and Craanford, students rolled up their sleeves and gained firsthand agricultural experience. At Hallow Holsteins Dairy Farm, they observed dairy operations and interacted with newborn calves, then they helped with planting vegetables at Redmond Vegetable Farm, before enjoying a farm-to-fork dinner made entirely with locally grown produce. Lastly they ended the day with a cold but unforgettable experience, a swim or shoreline walk in the Irish Sea.

(Photo provided) Twenty-one students from Fort Frye and Warren High Schools attended the trip, departing from the Cleveland airport on June 6.

Traveling west, the group explored Ireland’s dramatic natural beauty and local enterprises. They began the trip west with free time in Limerick, where some explored King John’s Castle and others local shops. Then they finally got to enjoy a scenic hike along the Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland’s most iconic views. Lastly, they took a surprise stop at the tasty Hazelnut Mountain Chocolate Factory, learning how local chocolate is crafted.

From the coastal farms to the rugged hills, an early morning sheepdog demonstration showed the skill and intelligence of working dogs like “Pip”. The students then explored Ireland’s mining heritage, even trying their hand at gold panning. Next they took a trip to an oyster farm, where they learned about aquaculture, did hands-on packaging, and even sampled the oysters themselves.

The journey ended with a perfect blend of exploration, reflection, and time to soak in the local vibe through a beach walk in Salthill, a guided tour of Galway, and a visit to the ancient Rock of Cashel, a symbol of Irish royalty and resilience. They finished their time in Ireland with a final celebratory dinner at Murray’s Pub, closing out the trip with laughter, good food, and new friendships.

This trip offered students from Washington County a rare opportunity to see how agriculture, culture, and community come together in a different part of the world. Through historic landmarks, agricultural exchanges, and immersive experiences, they returned home with greater global awareness, a deeper appreciation for Irish heritage and agricultural innovation, and friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. To all who supported and followed along, we can’t thank you enough for helping make this adventure possible! Check out the “Washington County International Travel Group” Facebook page for more updates and information about their next trip in 2027 — Agriculture in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg!

(Photo provided) The natural scenery of Ireland was beautiful and students enjoyed meeting the many farmers and learning about agriculture in a new country.

(Photo provided) The beautiful cliffs of Moher were enjoyed by the entire group even with the cold, misting rain!