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University of Colorado Denver Study Abroad Programme expands ties with ATU
A group of students and faculty from the University of Colorado Denver has completed a two-week study abroad programme in Ireland, delivered in partnership with Atlantic Technological University (ATU).
Led by Professor James Walsh, the group of twelve students and two faculty members participated in a structured programme combining academic lectures with field visits across County Mayo and the north-west. The initiative focused on Irish history, politics and culture, with particular emphasis on themes such as emigration, conflict and political change.
Based at ATU for much of the visit, students attended lectures and seminars delivered by university staff, alongside discussions examining developments from the Great Hunger through to contemporary political issues. The programme also incorporated site visits to locations including Achill Island, Ballina, Westport and Derry, providing context for topics explored in the classroom.
The visit forms part of a broader effort to develop academic links between Ireland and the United States. It builds on previous research by Professor Walsh into the connections between County Mayo and Leadville, Colorado, where Irish emigrants settled during the nineteenth century. As part of the programme, Professor Walsh delivered a public lecture in Westport examining links between Mayo migrant labourers, the mining industry in Leadville and the legacy of Michael Davitt.
During their stay, students engaged with a range of historical and cultural institutions, including museums, heritage centres and archival collections. These visits were designed to complement the academic content of the programme and to highlight regional perspectives on Irish history and identity.
ATU President Dr Orla Flynn said the programme reflects ongoing efforts to expand the university’s international engagement, “This initiative highlights the importance of international collaboration in higher education and provides opportunities for students to engage directly with the historical and cultural context of the region,” she said.
Michael Gill, Head of Department of Organisational Development said “This was a great opportunity to welcome students from Colorado together with their professor to Mayo and expects the experiences they had with us to shape their future direction in life. The students have left with lovely memories from the different places they visited and people they met while here with us in Mayo, Derry and in the ATU. We take this opportunity to thank the leadership of Michael Larkin, a local historian, in planning and organising the visit. We look forward to seeing more such arrivals into the future”, he said.
The programme also included contributions from ATU staff and invited speakers, addressing topics related to Irish-American history and local heritage. In addition to Mayo, the inclusion of Derry in the itinerary provided an opportunity to examine the political history of Northern Ireland and the legacy of the peace process.
The visit marks the first delivery of the programme and is expected to form part of a wider series of international study initiatives involving ATU.
Photo caption: Students from University of Colorado enjoying a visit to Mayo with ATU.
For media enquiries, contact:
Aidan Haughey
Communications Manager
Tel: 086 086 6913
E: aidan.haughey@atu.ie
