Our 2026 Summer Program runs from Sunday July 12th to Saturday July 25th. We welcome students from The United States, Canada and Europe.
CIAA Founded in 2015
CELTIC IRISH AMERICAN ACADEMY
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Offering you a unique, transformational experience that adds significant long-term value to your personal development and career outcomes is the core of the Celtic Irish American Academy (CIAA) summer program.
Celtic Irish American Academy is an international summer school for American, Canadian and European high school students. The 2026 summer school runs from Sunday July 12th to Saturday July 25th. The summer school is based in Galway City, recently voted the world’s friendliest city, home of the Claddagh ring, and regarded as the cultural capital, on the west coast of Ireland. Our mission is to provide you with an adventurous, fun and unique insight to your Irish heritage…
Parent and School Teacher, Kathleen Hennessey says
My son, Conor Hennessey, participated in the program run by Celtic Irish American Academy. For two weeks this summer, he was hosted by a family in Salthill, Co. Galway. He attended classes on topics such as Irish history, culture, and literature. He got to hear speakers such as former President of Ireland Mary Robinson, and to explore the city of Galway and the beautiful countryside around it.
From a parent’s perspective, this is all very valuable. He was able to stretch and challenge himself through travel and academics. He experienced a small slice of daily life in Ireland by sharing a home with the extremely generous host family, and he was safe and cared-for the entire time.
From a kid’s perspective, though, most importantly, he had FUN! Yes he enjoyed the classes, and the things he learned still leak into dinner conversations. But to his mind, the highlights were the many excursions he took, the friends he made from all over, the comfort and warmth provided by his host family, and his increased appreciation of his Irish heritage.
I cannot recommend this program highly enough, Brian has put together a fantastic mix of learning and adventure. He is accommodating and patient, quick to answer any concerns that may arise in the long months leading up to an experience of a lifetime.
If your child has an opportunity to participate in the Irish Celtic American Academy’s program, I can only say: Go!
What to Expect During Your Stay

MODULES
- Irish Literature
- Leadership and Business
- Irish Language
- Music and Drama
- Gaelic Football and Hurling
- Volunteering - Service Learning
- Public Speaking and Debating
- S.T.E.A.M
- Preparation for University
- Self Esteem and Communication
- Wellness
- The UN Sustainability Goals
- Medieval Ages Exploration
- Irish and World History
- Culture and Art

Day trips
- Kylemore Abbey & Connemara
- Explore Country Life
- Galway Festivals
- Ancestral trail
- Cliff of Moher
- University of Galway Taster Day
- Medtronic Medical Device Company
- Mayor of Galway at City Hall
- Diamond Hill Trek
- Blackrock Diving Board
- Salthill Promenade
- Aughnanure Castle
- Galway International Arts Festival

Accommodation
- Excellent host families
- Comfortable, Safe and Secure
- Residential Setting of Salthill
- Irish Family Experience
- Home Style Cooking
- Walk to the Salthill Promenade and Beach
- Family & Community Engagement
- Friendship for Life
- Under Excellent Host Families, insert:
- Vetted Staff and Families.
- 2 to 4 students per house.

Outcomes
- Independence and Self-Reliance
- Leadership
- Experiential Learning
- Cultural Awareness and Appreciation
- Improved Confidence and Self-Esteem
- Creating New Friendships for Life
- Building New Networks
- Enhanced College Application and Resume
- Improved Competency for Future Study and Work
- Increased Critical Thinking and Analysis
- Motivation and Inspiration
- Cross-Cultural Empathy
- Improved Language Fluency
- Thinking Outside the Box
- Experience of Living in a Safe and Beautiful City
- Have Super Fun and Broaden Experience
- Engage with Friendly People in a Creative Environment
WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT US

The top 10 friendliest cities in Europe, according to Condé Nast in 2020, have been presented as follows

- Galway, Ireland
- Dublin, Ireland
- Valletta, Malta
- Oporto, Portugal
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Bologna, Italy
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Reykjavik, Iceland
- Athens, Greece
- Helsinki, Finland











