The Mitchell Scholarship

For PHOTOS, CLICK HERE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/usirelandalliance/sets/72157694470213092)

Members of the 18th Class of George J. Mitchell Scholars concluded their year of graduate study in Ireland with a visit to the Iveragh Peninsula, Co. Kerry.

The trip to the Iveragh Peninsula was suggested by Jean Byrne, founder of Design21C, a not-for-profit which pioneered the teaching of Design Thinking skill sets in Ireland over a decade ago. The Scholars arrived on Friday night to the Sea Lodge Hotel in Waterville and dinner that evening included a tale from storyteller Sean O’Laoghaire. On Saturday, Byrne and her husband, Breffni, led the group on a Kerry Way hike to Daniel O’Connell’s home at Derrynane. Vinny Hyland, underwater explorer, and marine life filmmaker, demonstrated his interesting work using augmented reality.

On Sunday, the Mitchells enjoyed the day travelling the Skellig Ring. Dessie Cronin took the group on the Skellig Monks Trail hike. On a visit to Cill Rialaig Arts Center with owner Dr. Noelle Campbell Sharpe, the Scholars attended the opening of an art exhibition. Campbell Sharpe also showed the Scholars the incredible Ciall Rialaig village, a pre-famine site that is now a retreat for artists, poets, writers filmmakers and composers. The Mitchells then walked to Bray Head to see the Skelligs.

Vargo said the group had “a magical visit to a place of learning and natural, outstanding beauty. And those local to the area could not have been more generous with their time and in sharing their great visions for the Iveragh Peninsula.”