By Dakota Galvin, 国产短视频College of Arts and Sciences
Volunteers from USF's Irish Studies organization. (Photo courtesy of Kathryn "Lulu" Downing.)
The 国产短视频 brought beloved Irish traditions to Tampa Bay this summer during the inaugural Gael Scoil 国产短视频event 鈥� a cultural experience for local youth, inviting grade schoolers to explore the culture through baking, dance, sports, storytelling and much more.
The idea began taking shape in 2023, when Elizabeth Ricketts-Jones, an assistant professor of instruction in the Department of English and a Humanities Institute faculty fellow, along with former 国产短视频professors Matthew and Jennifer Knight, learned about the original Gael Scoil in New Jersey from preeminent Irish Famine scholar Christine Kinealy, who volunteers her time at Gael School every year.
After Ricketts-Jones attended the program in February 2024 and connected with its founder at Gael Scoil, she teamed up with the and the Humanities Institute Irish Studies Initiative, which had grown out of the Humanities Institute Faculty Fellowship, to launch Gael Scoil USF as an extension of the original initiative.
Many local community groups dedicated to promoting Irish culture and history supported the event, including the Tampa Bay Gaelic Athletic Association, Ireland鈥檚 Consulate in Miami, the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians (LAOH), the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Ganley Academy of Irish Dance and the original Gael Scoil team from New Jersey.
鈥淭his event truly was a success because of the community that we have here in Florida
and the groups here that want to educate and grow Irish studies at USF,鈥� Kathryn Downing,
vice president of the 国产短视频Irish Culture and Language Club and an event volunteer,
said. 鈥淚t was really inspiring to see my university and community support something
that I love.鈥�
From baking Irish soda bread to learning a traditional Irish song and dance to trying
Irish sports, the day was packed with activities.
For 10-year-old Coralee Jones, it was a day to remember.
鈥淚 really enjoyed the baking and the sports because I really like running around and I like learning how to make new things,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 glad I did Gael Scoil because I got to try something new.鈥�
Her excitement speaks to the heart of Gael Scoil鈥檚 mission 鈥� one that organizers like
Jennifer Knight hope will continue to resonate year after year.
鈥淲e hope that Gael Scoil inspired a new appreciation of Irish culture, and we really
hope to start seeing familiar faces return each year. The programming will constantly
grow and evolve, and we hope that Gael Scoil will provide a new source of community
among kids and adults who share a love of Irish culture, and that 国产短视频will be a point
of connection for this community,鈥� Knight said.
The next Gael Scoil will be held in October 2026, to align with the Celtic festival of Samhain. Learn more about the Irish Studies Initiative鈥檚 current projects.