Summer 2023, Curated internship Intern, with Mayo County Council in Ireland. A three-week immersion internship focused on Irish education, culture, government, and agriculture. I lived with local County Mayo family for a term of three weeks.
Dublin, Ireland
In one of my work experiences of my curated internship, I had the opportunity to spend a day in the Dáil Éireann, which is the lower house, and principal chamber, of the Oireachtas, which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann. I had the chance to observe Michael Ring, who is an Irish Fine Gael politician who has been a Teachta Dála for the Mayo constituency since 1997, and previously from 1994 to 1997 for the Mayo West constituency. He served as the Republic of Ireland's Minister for Rural and Community Development from 2017 to 2020 and as a Minister of State from 2011 to 2017. I was fortunate enough to meet other elected officials, sit in on a committee meeting, full tour of the Dáil, tour of the National Gallery of Ireland and observe the chamber. Pictured to the left is Michael Ring and me outside the Dáil.
To the left are photos from Kilmainham Jail, a former prison in Dublin, Ireland. It is now a museum run by the Office of Public Works, an agency of the Government of Ireland. Many Irish revolutionaries, including the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising, were imprisoned and executed in the prison by the orders of the UK Government.
County Clare, Ireland
Standing in the remains of my Great-Grandfathers home before building a new home on the farm in 1939 and spending time with my Great Aunt Sue. (My Grandfathers sister)
Learning about the increase of windmills In Ireland, for a Cleaner Energy Future.
The film I watched at Glór, a non-profit community music center in Ennis Co. Clare, is about the cultural impact of music in Ireland.
County Mayo, Ireland
I spent the day at Castlebar Tourism Office, learning about their commitment to the betterment of the visitor experience to Castlebar by fostering and encouraging development in all aspects of tourism, be that in the areas of adventure, sporting, cultural, conference, genealogy, entertainment, etc.
Day at St. Peters Snugboro Primary School to learn about the education side in Ireland. (Pictured with my cousin Georgia, who attends this school)
Worked two days at the Achill Island Tourism office helping with organizing their upcoming Annual Half Marathon and attending the Slaintecare Healthy Communities Enhancement Project Fit Stick Walking Trails launches by Minister Naughton. Above the text are photos from the official launch.
At the Mayo County Council office I observed and learned from the communications department how they advertise, publish press releases, and organize the Mayo.IE websites. I also had the opportunity to recieve a tour of the Mayo County Council building. This council were part of the behind the scenes work in organizing President Biden's visit to Mayo a few months prior.
I participated and helped out with the Castlebar International 4 Day Walks. People represented their country from all over the world, all the countries flags pictured above participated.
Standing on the farm my Grandmother grew up on in Lake Callow Co. Mayo
I spent a day at the Michael Davitt Museum, where I learned about the history of Michael Davitt, a global reformer who was an Irish republican activist for, specifically, Home Rule and land reform. I observed how they organize and manage the museum while preserving artifacts and history. Next to the museum is a community-led gardening greenhouse, with month-long workshops where community members are taught how to garden sustainably.
Visited the Museum of Country Life that covers Archaeology, Decorative Arts, Folk & Country Life, & Natural History.
Croagh Patrick
Spending time with family in Castlebar, County Mayo.