The green Ireland is waiting for you! Discover its landscapes, its historical cities and its football culture. Help SARI and their work supporting social inclusion and respect to cultural diversity.
Join the third half as we take you on a journey to the ancient and beautiful countries of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. You’ll learn about their history from ancient mythology to their role in the founding of America, as well as their tortured journey through religious conflict to present-day peace. You’ll see how sport is part of the fabric of Irish society and how it has broken down barriers throughout history and experience the power yourself with games against local teams. You’ll also see first-hand how Ireland has been affected by the European refugee crisis, and experience how soccer is helping refugees and asylum-seekers find stability and fight discrimination and racism.
Dublin
Founded as a Viking settlement in the 9th Century, Dublin has an illustrious educational and cultural past. Walking through the city streets you’ll have the opportunity to see some impressive ancient cathedrals such as St. Patrick’s and Christ Church as well as the famous Trinity College. You’ll also visit the impressive, 82,000 capacity Croke Park which has been the spiritual home of Irish sport for over 130 years.
Like many other countries in the European Union, Ireland has seen a huge increase in migration in recent years. You’ll join local soccer coaches as they run programs for local refugee youth in Dublin and see how sport is helping them assimilate into their new home. You’ll also visit a local mosque guided by local coaches and ‘Hijabs and Hat-tricks’, a soccer program to promote gender equality for Muslim girls.
Belfast
Belfast is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom. Historically famous as the city where the infamous RMS Titanic was built and set sail, this extraordinary, charming city bears the traces of a painful history.
Belfast’s list of attractions includes beautifully-restored Victorian architecture, a glittering waterfront lined with modern art, a fantastic and a fast-expanding foodie scene. The stunning, star-shaped edifice housing the Titanic Belfast centre has become the city’s number-one tourist draw; it was even named the world’s leading tourist attraction at the 2016 World Travel Awards.
Belfast suffered greatly during The Troubles, the sectarian civil conflict that gripped Ireland from the Sixties until the Good Friday Agreement of 1998. You’ll learn about this history – and the role that sport played – on a unique ‘Troubles Tour’ that will explain the history of religious conflict that still affects Northern Ireland today.
On the way to Belfast you’ll stop at Loughcrew to take in the stunning megalithic burial grounds that date back to 3,500 BC, before continuing to Giant’s Causeway, the renowned World Heritage site on the Northern Ireland coast.
Throughout your journey you’ll also experience the incredible warmth and passion of the Irish and Northern Irish people, both on and off the field.
DAY 1: Depart for Dublin.
DAY 2: Arrival at airport in Dublin. Check in at hotel. City tour of Dublin.
DAY 3: Introduction to the third half and SARI. Soccer activity with local kids. Attend Professional Match (*optional and additional ticket cost)
DAY 4: Visit Croke Park and GAA Museum. Friendly Game at Mosney Direct Provision Centre (DPC). the third half curriculum workshop #1 – Global Citizenship and the Sustainable Development Goals.
DAY 5: Local Sightseeing: Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship. Physical Literacy workshop. SARI ‘Soccernites’ training session.
DAY 6: Transfer to Belfast, Northern Ireland. Titanic Museum tour. Troubles Tour. Free time in Belfast. the third half curriculum workshop #2 – Conscious Leadership.
DAY 7: Participation in SARI soccer activity with Glentoran Academy. Giants Causeway and Loughcrew Cairns.
DAY 8: Transfer back to Dublin., SARI Hijabs and Hat-tricks training session.
DAY 9: SARI Stick with Diversity workshop. Collins Barracks tour. Friendly match with Dublin Devils. the third half curriculum workshop #3 – Sustainable Development Goal #4 – Quality Education.
DAY 10: Adventure Center Activity. Sightseeing and free time downtown. SARI ‘Soccernites’ training session.
DAY 11: SARI Activity Workshop. Light training. 5 vs. 5 mini soccer tournament with local kids.
DAY 12: Kilmainham Gaol tour. Leisure time for sightseeing and souvenir shopping. Farewell dinner with SARI and time for group reflection.
DAY 13: Transfer to airport, fly home. Arrive home.
Your trip will be hosted by the respected non-profit organization Sport Against Racism Ireland (SARI). SARI was founded in 1997 as a direct response to an increasing number of racist attacks, linked to the dramatic increase in the number of foreign nationals living in Ireland. SARI’s mission is to support cultural integration and social inclusion in Ireland by using sport, particularly soccer, as a medium to combat racism, sectarianism, homophobia and other forms of discrimination. Thanks to your visit, SARI will be able to achieve goals like; Present sporting and cultural events that bring together people from different cultures and backgrounds Create opportunities for young people to participate in social integration projects at home and abroad Promote intercultural dialogue and celebrate cultural diversity through projects in schools
