Ireland study-abroad group standing on a stone wall, with misty sea cliffs and waves behind them.

Shenanigans Across the Country of Ireland

Four Department of Agricultural Economics students traveled with 12 other College of Agriculture Boilermakers on the “Agriculture in Ireland” program during Spring Break 2026. The adventure took them to Cork, Galway and Dublin to learn about Irish culture, history, food processing, agribusiness and farming, while adding in favorite destinations such as the Cliffs of Moher and Kylemore Abbey.

Men in rain jackets holding a FarmHouse fraternity flag with an American flag motif at coastal cliffs by the rough sea. Black-and-white dairy cows standing in a green pasture beneath a gray overcast sky.

This was May 2026 Graduate Keegan Williams’ (Farm Management; Tipton, IN) first trip out of the country! He enjoyed learning about the dairy industry, J.J. O’Sullivan’s Dairy Farm and the amazing views at the Cliffs of Moher. Keegan shared, “The experience of being in a different country for the first time was surreal. This study abroad during my last semester finishes out my amazing time here at Purdue University. It, in a sense, was the cherry on top of the best 4 years of my life so far!”

Sheep with colorful paint markings walking along a grassy slope beside a rippled lake with distant brown hills Study-abroad group posing together on the grass in front of a large medieval stone castle ruin under a cloudy sky.

For Charles Anderson (Senior, Agribusiness; Wakarusa, IN), this was his first trip out of North America. Two of the highlights for him were Joe Joyce’s Hill Sheep Farm - he loved the dog training and thought the landscape was breathtaking, and he really enjoyed the Guinness Storehouse and Brewery, which included a view of all of Dublin from the 360 Skybar. Charles explained, “This experience was absolutely incredible and very eye-opening, allowing me to see a new culture and immerse myself in it. It is one thing to read about the culture and learn about it, but actually going over and experiencing it was amazing.” One of the highlights for him was Joe Joyce’s Hill Sheep Farm; he loved the dog training and thought the landscape, with its mountains and hills, was breathtaking.

Study abroad group posing in front of a large black gate bearing the GUINNESS logo at St. James’s Gate Brewery in Dublin. Students wearing green helmets and holding hurling sticks, some in neon safety vests, posed inside a gym.

After traveling to Portugal last year, Will Buescher (Senior, Agricultural Economics; Coatesville, IN) decided to finish a second study abroad program before graduation. He really enjoyed visiting the city of Galway and the trip to the Irish National Stud in Tully, Ireland. His advice to all students: “I would tell everyone to study abroad at least once.”

Bangers and mash on a plate; salt and pepper shakers, and a cocktail with an orange peel. Jade Larrison holding a white baby goat inside a barn Tall wooden library shelves filled with old leather-bound books and a sliding ladder beside a sunlit window.

Ireland was the third study abroad program for May 2026 Graduate Jade Larrison (Agribusiness; Grand Haven, MI); she has also traveled to Iceland and Costa Rica. Her highlights included the tour and cheese tasting at St. Tola Goat Farm, Connemara, the Book of Kells Experience at Trinity College in Dublin and trying bangers and mash for the first time! Jade concluded, “This trip was very bittersweet because it’s my last study abroad! I loved the trip, but I am so excited to graduate and start a new journey, and maybe embark on some of my own international travels, thanks to the confidence I have gained through study abroad experiences.