July 19: Departure Day, Phoenix to Dublin
Group Meeting:
At 7:30 AM, meet your teachers and fellow students at the American Airlines check-in counter (outside of security) at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). This is the official start of your program!
Group Flight:
The group will fly on American Airlines flight #710 departing Phoenix (PHX) at 10:30 AM, arriving in Chicago (ORD) at 4:11 PM local time. The group will continue on from Chicago (ORD) on American Airlines #710 departing at 6:30 PM and arriving in Dublin, Ireland (DUB), at 7:55 AM local time on July 20 (13 hours, 25 minutes en route).
July 20–24: Dublin
After a brief orientation, settle in to your time in Dublin. Visit the disparate neighborhoods of the Irish capital, see historic sites, and take day trips to the surrounding seaside and inland counties. Work with your workshop group as you experiment with poetry, prose, and writing for stage and screen during daily exercises inspired by your adventures in and around the city.
July 25–27: Inishbofin
Travel across the bog land of central Ireland by chartered bus, stopping along the way to visit the ancient monastery of Clonmacnoise, perched on a small rise above the River Shannon. From there, we make our way to the western coast to board a ferry to Inishbofin, an island located about five miles off the coast of Connemara. Spend your days on this pristine island hiking, swimming, workshopping, and polishing your written work.
July 28–30: Dublin
Return to Dublin by way of Galway city. Once there, plan, publicize, and prepare for a final reading of work produced during the program, and enjoy a last evening with the group.
July 31: Return Day, Dublin to Phoenix
Group Flight:
The group will fly on American Airlines flight #711 departing Dublin, Ireland (DUB), at 9:25 AM local time, arriving in Chicago (ORD) at 11:30 AM local time. The group will continue on from Chicago (ORD) on American Airlines flight #711 departing at 2:08 PM local time, returning to the International Arrivals Area of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) at 3:53 PM (14 hours, 30 minutes en route).