Hi Reader,

This week, we’re traveling to Dublin, Ireland! 🇮🇪 I’m especially excited about this destination because I’m in Dublin for the marathon this weekend. By the time you read this email, I’ll have crossed the finish line! 🏃‍♀️ I can’t wait to share photos and experiences from my own adventure to help bring this incredible city to life for students.

However, you don’t need a plane ticket to help children explore the world. A few photos, a little imagination, and opportunities to move and participate can turn an ordinary school day into an unforgettable Passport Adventure!

🌎 5 Fun Facts About Dublin to Share With Your Students

1. Dublin is the capital of Ireland! 🇮🇪

Dublin is Ireland’s largest city and sits along the River Liffey, which flows through the city toward the Irish Sea. Find Ireland on a map, locate Dublin, and trace the river through the city. Ask students how they think living near a river might help a city grow.

2. A bridge with a funny name! 🌉

Dublin’s famous Ha’penny Bridge was built in 1816. Long ago, people had to pay a halfpenny to cross it, which is how it got its nickname!

Today, people can walk across it without paying a toll. Challenge students to design their own bridge and decide what they would name it. Learn more about the Ha’penny Bridge.​

3. Vikings once lived in Dublin! ⚔️

Dublin has a fascinating history that includes Viking settlers who arrived more than 1,000 years ago. Archaeologists study objects left behind to learn how people lived long ago. Invite your students to imagine they are archaeologists discovering an object from Viking Dublin. What clues might it give them about daily life? Here's a site that shares more information about it.

4. Ireland has its own national symbol! ☘️

The shamrock, a small three-leaved plant, is one of Ireland’s best-known symbols. Green is also strongly associated with Irish identity and celebrations such as St. Patrick’s Day. Have students create shamrock artwork, then find Ireland’s green, white, and orange flag on a map or photograph. Explain that the flag’s colors have historical and symbolic meanings.

5. Dublin has a bridge shaped like a harp! 🎶

The Samuel Beckett Bridge crosses the River Liffey, and its design resembles a harp, an important symbol of Ireland.

Ask students to look closely at a photo of the bridge and identify the shapes and lines they notice. Then challenge them to design a bridge inspired by something meaningful to their own community. See the Samuel Beckett Bridge.​

✈️ Bring Dublin Into Your Classroom

Turn your classroom into Ireland

Display photographs of Dublin’s colorful streets, historic bridges, and green landscapes. Play traditional Irish instrumental music as students enter the room. Add a map of Ireland and invite children to locate Dublin before beginning your adventure.

Go on a pretend Dublin adventure

Have students pack an imaginary backpack for a day exploring Dublin. Would they bring a raincoat, walking shoes, a camera, or a notebook? Let them explain their choices before taking a pretend walk across the Ha’penny Bridge and along the River Liffey.

Create a collaborative Dublin bulletin board

Have students create shamrocks, draw bridges, illustrate Irish landscapes, or design their own Dublin-inspired landmarks. Combine their work into a colorful display that celebrates what they learned about Ireland.

💚 A Little Reminder

The sooner kids learn about the world, the longer they can care for it. When we introduce children to new places, traditions, landmarks, and ways of life, we help nurture curiosity, empathy, and a desire to understand people beyond their own communities.

Interactive lessons like this stick. You never know which classroom adventure might inspire a child to become a traveler, a history lover, an artist, or someone who works to make the world a better place.

Have a wonderful week!

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