Trip report: BA (Hons) Arts Management students explore Dublin on COIL Plus+

By Amila Khairana

My Year 2 classmates, Vera Tan and Stella Ong, and I travelled to Ireland in June 2026 to participate in a prestigious research symposium organised by the Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) School of Art and Design.

As part of the Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Plus+ initiative the trip enabled the diasporic student body from LASALLE and TU Dublin to share inherited narratives and engage with generations of cultural inheritance.

Diverse presentation topics ranging from the Anglo-Irish postcolonial landscape to sustainable research on material culture and our global waste footprint formed multiple perspectives and prompted insightful discussions.

COIL Plus+ success: LASALLE College of the Arts with TU Dublin School of Art and Design (Photo credits: Michelle Loh)

As multicultural learnings across disciplines were revealed, I realised how closely our histories and values intersect. What stood out most was our shared passion and determination to keep our cultural traditions alive, proving that simply acknowledging and celebrating our roots gives them enduring power.

The symposium provided a collaborative environment which unwittingly served to dismantle hierarchies by having presenters of various levels in academia on the exact same stage where everyone could learn side-by-side.

Vera presented on how fengshui can be a superstition, a culture or a psychological belief inherited in Singaporean families. As for me, I presented on how food cultures are mobile. My own food heritage travels from Java to Singapore, cultivating modern shifts across time and generations. Extending this spirit of inclusivity, Stella capped her final presentation with a distribution of Julie’s Biscuits where the mixed languages on the packaging mirror our unified, multicultural, multilingual Singaporean identity.

Left to right: Outside of TU Dublin. Sharing Singaporean biscuits and other local snacks with Dublin presenters post-symposium. (Photo credits: Veronica Lee, Michelle Loh)

But the trip wasn’t all about work as we found time to explore the city. While Dublin is often known for its famous Guinness, we unravelled a city layered with history stretching from its historic tenement roots to a vibrant contemporary identity.

In just a few days, we experienced Dublin’s richness from historic places like Trinity College to scenic spots like Ireland’s Eye. At Trinity College, we stood before the Book of Kells, a 9th century manuscript known as Ireland’s greatest cultural treasure. While only two original pages were on display, the exhibition masterfully unveiled everything from the creation of ancient inks to the precision of Celtic knotwork and calligraphy.

Detailed explanation displaying the techniques and materials adopted to create the manuscript.

The experience ended with a beautiful walk through of the Old Library, a long vaulted gallery that holds the majority of the oldest books. In the room, we were met with a stunning contrast of old and new—Luke Jerram’s Gaia, a giant, glowing digital installation of Earth suspended in the center of the room.

The Book of Kells experience followed by a walkthrough of the Old Library at Trinity College.

To truly understand Dublin’s social history, we also visited 14 Henrietta Street. This Georgian townhouse is a symbol of profound resilience, echoing the transition from the elite living to the tumultuous realities of the tenement era.

Walking through the building, the juxtaposition of each room’s past and present states offered an intimate glimpse into the lives of former residents, whose real family stories shape the experience. The state of the building bears the physical scars of time; its iconic blue-and-red paint and Georgian-style plasterwork remain etched into its remaining walls, signifying the lasting imprint of history. The reconstructed scenes of living heritage left us with a deep appreciation for the mutual resilience that bound these neighbours together through decades of hardship.

Top row: Elements of the building have been sustained since the 19th century tenement era. Bottom row: Interior with reconstructed scenes.

No trip to Ireland would be complete without exploring its raw natural beauty which led us to Howth Peninsula trail and Ireland’s Eye.

Ireland’s Eye is a precious wildlife sanctuary. Completely uninhabited, the only way to get there was via a ferry ride. It felt like worlds away from the city centre. While we had hoped to spot puffins, the odds were sadly not in our favour! However, we were still rewarded with the incredible sight of seagulls, seals and razorbills thriving in their natural habitats, even stumbling upon native shells along the shore.

Coming from Singapore, this was a sharp and fascinating contrast to the nature we are used to. Visiting an island so purely dedicated to wildlife preservation felt incredibly enriching and served as the perfect, peaceful conclusion to our travels.

Vera, Stella, Michelle and I enjoying the breezy stroll at Ireland’s Eye while taking in the flowers and seagulls in their natural habitat.

Ultimately, Dublin’s multifaceted energy completely captured our hearts. Its distinct charm brought so much warmth to an otherwise chilly summer. On a personal note, it also deeply changed my own outlook. I left Ireland with a different perspective and a strong desire to one day return to these familiar places. The academic experiences, cultural connections and lasting memories from this trip are things I will carry with me always.