OFF THE BEAT | KSU study abroad in Ireland connects sport and culture

When I packed for my senior year study abroad trip associated with Kansas State Universitys Aer Lingus Classic in Ireland, I stuffed a rain jacket at the top of my bag, expecting plenty of rain.

Instead, the other 20 students and I have spent most days walking Dublins cobblestone streets in the sun, greeted by warm weather and an equally warm welcome from the Irish people.

So far, Ireland hasnt just been the backdrop for K-States football opener against Iowa State at Aviva Stadium.

For us students, its become a classroom without walls blending sports, culture and history into an experience Ill remember far longer than four quarters of football.

While its been a memorable first week, the trip didnt start smoothly.

Alongside some fellow student journalists, Wildcat 91.9s radio team, we spent an unexpected 24 hours stranded in Philadelphia after a delayed flight from Kansas City forced us to miss our connection to Dublin.

By the time we arrived, we had already missed the first day of activities, carrying jet lag and frustration with us.

But that feeling didnt last long.

The warmth of the Irish people made up for lost time from bus drivers who patiently guided us through unfamiliar situations to locals eager to talk about K-State and American football.

It didnt take long to settle in.

From a cliffside hike in Howth to a Black Taxi Tour through Belfasts Peace Walls, every stop on the itinerary carried both history and hospitality.

A few of us even tried to rank our favorite activities one night, only to give up when we kept reshuffling the order.

The list quickly turned into a series of 1a, 1b, 1c because each experience felt like it belonged at the top.

At the EPIC and Titanic museums, interactive exhibits made it clear that Ireland, despite being an island roughly the size of South Carolina, has global ties that I couldnt have imagined beforehand.

But two of the trips definite highlights for me came not in a museum or city streets, but on the cliffs of Howth and Moher.

Hiking along the edge of the Irish Sea and Galway Bay, with waves crashing below, I couldnt help but pause in appreciation of Gods beautiful world.

The views stretched endlessly, a reminder of creations scale and wonder.

At the Cliffs of Howth, the hike ended with a moment of hesitation and then exhilaration.

After more than an hour in the sun, a few of us stared down at Dublin Bay, debating whether to jump.

The water was a good 12 feet below, and it looked cold which it was.

But the temptation to cool off was too strong.

The splash was shocking at first but quickly gave way to ear-to-ear grins and the kind of refreshing thrill that makes you glad you didnt back away.

I can confidently say there were no regrets.

Then, sports have tied everything together.

At Sport Irelands 500-acre campus, we toured the nations cutting-edge facilities and heard about how the country develops athletes from youth levels to Olympic competition.

I found it fascinating to see one centralized facility for all of the nations best athletes.

Then came the chance to try our hand at Gaelic Games hurling, Gaelic football and handball sports unfamiliar to most of us but deeply ingrained in Irelands identity.

Our skills didnt quite match those of the locals, but the friendly competition felt familiar, like a day of elementary school gym class.

As I write this on the train back to Dublin from our three-day stop in Galway, I can confidently say added that Galway added its own flavor to the journey.

A walking tour introduced us to the citys medieval streets, history and vibrant music scene.

Our first night in Galway, the Trad on the Prom performance showcased the energy of Irish music and dance, a cultural expression as spirited as any football crowd back home.

As a whole, the city is even more homey than Dublin, similar to the college town feeling that Ive come to love with Manhattan.

Galways pub scene even reminded me of the Aggieville experience, especially as the town became flooded in purple, in addition to waves of red and yellow.

Now, as kickoff week is here, anticipation for the game continues to grow.

Conversations in pubs with both locals and visiting Americans center around the excitement for American football in Ireland.

For me, its a reminder of why I study and work in journalism.

Covering a football game in Dublin wasnt just about stats or storylines.

It was about perspective learning how sports can carry community across borders, whether in Kansas or Ireland.

Toby Hammes is a K-State media and communications student and works part-time as the assistant sports editor for The Manhattan Mercury..

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