University of Minnesota Duluth
Ireland
International Student Teaching Program
2014-2015
School Information
Claddagh National School
Scoil Niocláis Naofa
Claddagh
Galway City
Tel: 011 091-586173
School website
www.claddaghns.ie
School email
claddaghns@eircom.net
School Principal and Contact
Micheal Gallagher: mgall45@gmail.com
Emergency Contact
Micheal Gallagher: mgall45@gmail.com
Academic Supervisors
Michael Mac Namara: michael_mac_namara@hotmail.com
Orla Kearns: orlakearns56@yahoo.co.uk
U’na Ni’ Shean’ain: u.nisheanain1@nuigalway.ie
UMD Contact
Molly Harney: mharney@d.umn.edu
Jim Sersha: jsersha@d.umn.edu
St. Nicholas’ NS
2014-2015 School Calendar
August 2014
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February 2015
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School Reopens: Thursday, 28th August 2014
School Closes: Tuesday, 30th June 2015 @ 12 noon
HALF DAY – FINISH AT 12 NOON
SCHOOL REOPENS / CLOSES
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
Calendar Template by calendar labs.com
Placement Requirements
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Current resume
Copy of liability insurance policy
Copy of background check
Moodle participation
Resume
List your schooling and job experience beginning with the most recent experience. Highlight your skills,
education and job/volunteering experience that will be most relevant to the job you are seeking. Your
resume should be concise and easy to read; it should never be longer than two pages.
Liability insurance and background check
The Claddagh School requires a copy of your liability insurance policy and a recent (2 months or less)
national background check covering the following areas:
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Social Security Number Trace
Criminal Felony/Misdemeanor
Motor Vehicle records
Sex offender registry
While UMD does send a letter to the Claddagh Schools indicating UMD Human Resources department did
carry out a background check, you will still need to provide a copy of the actual background check results
to Michael Gallagher, your Irish School Contact, along with a copy of your liability insurance. The Irish
back gound check is called a Garda Clearance; all Irish student teachers must provide a Garda Clearance
certificate to the schools once they have been accepted as a student teacher. As with any sensitive
documentation, background check results are strictly confidential between the student, the UMD Field
Placement Office, and the Irish School Contact.
Irish Education
In Ireland children start school as early as age 4, and spend 8 years in Primary school. They then spend 6
years in Secondary school, which is split into two certificate levels, Junior Cycle and Leaving Cycle. Some
schools include a Transition Year between the two cycles.
For more information about Irish Educatiaon
 http://www.education.ie/en/The-Education-System/
 http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/the_irish_education_system/overview_of_the_iris
h_education_system.html
 http://www.schooldays.ie/articles/education-system-in-Ireland
 http://www.curriculumonline.ie/en/
Accommodation
Rent:
 Your estimated rent is 110 Euro per week (approx $130 USD per week – see www.xe.com for
current exchange rates) Your 8/12 week rent will be due upon arrival.
Not included in rent:
 Food, meal preparation, phone service, laundry
 Supermarket food prices are comparable to American prices; eating out is much more
expensive than in America
When you arrive in Ireland
You will be asked to present the following informaiton when you land in Dublin (at the immigration check
point) Do not pack any of the items in your checked luggage.
 Your passport
 Your immigration letter (provided by the Education Department’s Office of Field Experiences)
 A copy of your return flight to America
 Proof of your financial independence (ie bank statement and/or credit card statement showing
available funds of at least €1,500) (Be certain that your account number in not visible.)
 Proof of your medical insurance policy (CISI)
You may be detained in immigration if you cannot produce this information
The best way to get to Galway from Dublin airport is to take a City Link bus. The journey takes
approximately three hours. A City Link bus can be caught right outiside of the airport. (You will want to
stop at the airport information desk to get directions. The bus is comfortable, reliable and runs several times
a day from Dublin. You can book on line at: http://www.citylink.ie/
Phones
It is necessary that each student teacher has an Irish mobile phone when arriving into Ireland. This is so
that you can contact us in the event of a delayed flight/missed connection, be able to give the Irish airport
your phone number in the case of lost luggage or contact your landlord with arrival delays. It is also one of
the main ways your cooperating school and your Irish supervising teacher will communicate with you.
Please have your Irish mobile phone charged and ready for use upon arrival in Ireland.
An Irish mobile phone may be purchased from Piccell Wireless while you are still in Minnesota. The phone
will cost $59.90 (one time fee); rates on calls and texts are comparable to other Irish mobile phone providers
and are listed at: www.piccellwireless.com
Please send Molly Harney your phone number before leaving the country
Personal Safety
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Emergency number in Ireland: 999 – treat this number as you would 911 in America – to be used
in genuine emergencies only
Use the same common sense travelling overseas that you would at home. Be especially cautious in
or avoid areas where you are likely to be victimized. These include crowded subways, train stations,
elevators, tourist sites, market places, festivals and marginal areas of cities.
Don't use short cuts, narrow alleys or poorly-lit streets. Try not to travel alone at night.
Avoid public demonstrations and other civil disturbances.
Avoid scam artists. Beware of strangers who approach you, offering bargains or to be your guide.
Beware of pickpockets. They often have an accomplice who will: jostle you, ask you for directions
or the time, point to something spilled on your clothing, or distract you by creating a disturbance.
A child or even a woman carrying a baby can be a pickpocket. Beware of groups of vagrant children
who create a distraction while picking your pocket
Try to seem purposeful when you move about. Even if you are lost, act as if you know where you
are going. When possible, ask directions only from individuals in authority. Do not discuss travel
plans or other personal matters with strangers.
If you are confronted, don't fight back. Give up your valuables. Your money and passport can be
replaced, but you cannot.
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Ireland is a welcoming and hospitable country in which to live. However, it is always wise to be
alert and aware of possible dangers to personal safety.
Do not walk alone on ill-lit streets late at night. If you must walk, then use a busy route and a
walkway that is well illuminated. If you go out with a group, stay as a group, and make sure that all
members of the group return home safely.
Where possible take a taxi at night. Give your name to the booking office and make sure the vehicle
that calls for you has your name. Always ensure you have adequate funds to get a taxi home after a
night out.
Do not hitchhike.
A safe, reliable taxi service to call when you are out at night is Galway Taxis – phone number 091
561 111, www.galwaytaxis.com
Medical Care
If you become ill or injured please contact Michael Gallagher for support.
If you get sick outside of regular doctor hours, please ring Westdoc (after hours medical service) on 1800
365 000. They will take your details, and let you know if a doctor’s office will be open in your area, or
whether a doctor can make a house call.
If you have a medical emergency, dial 999 (same service as 911 in America).
As a non-national, you will be charged for medical services. You will be covered by Cultural Insurance
Services International (CISI) during the dates of your program. CISI will email you with information on
how to access your account online and to print your insurance card. Please note that you will need to
contact your health insurance provider (CISI) to discuss reimbursement procedures. It is strongly
advised that you speak to your healthcare provider prior to coming to Ireland to make sure you know
what your responsibilities are while in Ireland to ensure you are covered by your insurance while abroad.
If you will be in Ireland or other European countries either before or after your student teaching
time, you must contact CISI to extend your insurance dates. These additional days must be paid
by you.
General Informtaion
 Cash
The official currency in Ireland is the Euro (EUR). You can order Euro at your local bank before
leaving the country. You should bring some money with you in cash to cover expenses such as
train, bus, and taxi fares, overnight accommodations and meals. Don’t bring $100 bills with you
because you will not be able to exchange them in Ireland. Irish banks have stopped accepting $100
bills as they are too easily forged.
 ATM Card
There are ATM machines throughout Ireland, and most often you are able to easily withdraw money
from the machine in the local currency. Of all your options, this is probably the easiest and most
worry-free method of dealing with money in a foreign country. Just to be safe, make sure that your
ATM card has a VISA or MASTERCARD symbol on it prior to departure. Please check with your
bank to learn about any restrictions that may exist with your card and to understand bank fees that
may apply. If you have trouble at a machine, consider approaching a bank teller for help. Often
times, this may remedy the problem. Currencey wil be disseminaed in Euros (always be aware of
the exchange rate)
When purchasing items in Ireland, tax is built into the price of items that incur tax. The price you
see is the price you pay.
Contact your your bank to let them know you will be out of the country in case they have security
measures that suspend card use when there is a deviation from regular patterns. We recommend
that you bring all relevant PIN numbers and international contact numbers of your bank and credit card
companies with you. Leave this information with a family member as well so they can help you cancel
cards should you lose them.
 Once you are back home, check your spending record against your credit or check card statements to
make sure there are no discrepancies. It is also helpful to give your bank and credit card companies a
call to make sure your account will not be frozen when you start to use the card in your home country
again
Electrical outlets
Any US electronic item will require an adaptor. Adaptors can be purchased at any travel store, Target,
Walmart… Please make sure the adaptor you purchase is suitable for Irish outlets. If you plan to travel to
other destinations while abroad be sure to check the adaptor requirement for each destination.
US hair dryers, curling irons, and flat irons do not have the same voltage and cause issues. You are better
off checking with past students to purchase items or buy the items in Ireland.
Packing
Clothes
 Your clothing for teaching should consist of khakis/dress pants/nice corduroys/skirts, button down shirts,
cardigans, pullover sweaters
 Casual clothing in Ireland is very similar to that in the States – jeans, boots, running shoes, sweaters etc.
 Comfortable walking shoes. Make sure you break them in before your trip.
 Raincoat, rain gear & compact umbrella
 Waterproof shoes
 Slippers, typically you have one pair for inside the home
 A sweater or jacket, layering can be important
Miscellaneous
 Small duffel or travel bag for weekend or afternoon trips
 Sealable plastic bags (for damp clothes, soap, food, shampoo, and other spillables)
 Earplugs & Eyeshade– for the long plane trip
 Camera
 Toiletries (including contact lens solution, as this is expensive abroad)
 Alarm clock
 Electric converters
 Prescription drugs (do not pack in checked luggage)
 Imodium, Pepto Bismol
 Pain reliever/Aspirin
 Bike lock (if you will be availing of a bike)
 Scrap book or photo book to share with your school
 Minnesota gifts (to leave with coop teacher)
Departure
Please be sure to email Michael Gallagher, Molly Harney, and Jim Sersha with the date and time you will
be leaving Ireland. There are buses leaving several times a day from Galway to Dublin – please check your
departure time from Dublin carefully and realize that you may need to go to Dublin the day before your
flight in order to get to the airport in a reasonable timeframe. City Link, www.citylink.ie, has early morning
buses to Dublin, just make sure you arrive at least 2 hours prior to your departure flight.
Getting Ready to Travel
Checklist
 Passport
 Flights
 Proof of financial independence, ie bank statement or credit card statement
 Immigration letter (provided by Education Department’s Office of Field Experiences)
 Health Insurance (provided by IEO)
 Phone
 Electronics (hair dryers, computers)
 Credit cards
 Luggage weight
 Cords and Adaptors/plugins
 Weather gear
 Photo or scrap book (about you)
 Host gifts
Please send Molly Harney the following information via email:
 Copy of return flight to America
 Proof of financial independence, ie bank statement or credit card statement
 Travel insurance
 Current resume
 Copy of liability insurance
 Copy of background check
 Irish mobile phone number
 Dublin to Galway travel plans (both ways)
 Flight details
Weblinks to investigate
www.dublinairport.ie
www.citylink.ie – bus service between Dublin and Galway
www.gobus.ie – bus service between Dublin and Galway
www.irishrail.ie – national train service
www.buseireann.ie – national bus company
www.galwaytourism.ie – things to do in Galway and its environs
www.galwaynet – all about Galway
www.galway-ireland.ie – all about Galway
www.discoverireland.ie – things to do in Ireland
www.breakingnews.ie – breaking national news
www.independent.ie – Irish newspaper
www.irishtimes.com – Irish newspaper
www.advertiser.ie/galway - Galway news
www.galwaynews.ie – Galway news
www.rte.ie – Irish national television station/news
www.tesco.ie – grocery store
www.dunnesstores.ie – grocery store
www.supervalu.ie – grocery store
www.centra.ie – grocery/convenience store
www.spar.ie– grocery/convenience store
www.boi.ie – Bank of Ireland – ATM finder
www.aib.ie – Allied Irish Banks – ATM finder
www.xe.com – currency converter
www.citizensinformation.ie – general information about anything in Ireland