MBS Announces Middle School Global Trip for 2027

Our Middle School is set to return to Ireland, building on a powerful and deeply meaningful journey that began with a small boat and grew into a transatlantic connection.

This Global Studies experience traces its roots back to 2022, when MBS students launched a five-foot mini boat, Crimson Current, into the Atlantic Ocean. Months later, it was discovered along the coast of County Cork and brought to Barryroe National School, sparking an extraordinary partnership between students in the United States and Ireland.

That moment transformed a classroom project into something much bigger. Through letters, Zoom calls, and shared curiosity, students built lasting relationships across continents. When MBS students traveled to Ireland in 2025, they met their Irish peers in person, turning pen pals into real friendships and bringing the story of Crimson Current full circle.

Now, MBS returns to Ireland to continue that story.

A highlight of the previous trip, and a defining piece of this experience, is the visit to Barry’s Cove, the very place where Crimson Current washed ashore. There, students met the fisherman who discovered the boat and learned firsthand about life along Ireland’s coast, connecting their classroom learning to the real-world journey of their own creation.

This return trip continues to emphasize connection and collaboration. Students will once again spend meaningful time with their peers at Barryroe National School, engaging in shared activities, cultural exchange, and hands-on learning. From sports swaps featuring rugby and Gaelic football to Irish dance lessons and farm visits, the experience immerses students in daily life and traditions in rural Ireland.

Beyond Barryroe, the journey expands across the country. In Dublin, students explore themes of migration and identity, while in Galway, they experience a city known for its creativity and maritime heritage. Along the way, they encounter Ireland’s breathtaking landscapes, from the limestone terrain of the Burren to the dramatic cliffs along the Atlantic coast.

At its core, this program is about more than travel. It is about sustainability, global citizenship, and the power of connection. The mini boat project itself teaches students about ocean currents, environmental stewardship, and the impact of human actions on the sea, all while fostering collaboration across cultures.

As students prepare for this return to Ireland, they do so with a deeper understanding of the journey that brought them there. What began as a small vessel drifting across the ocean has become a lasting bridge between communities, proving that even the smallest ideas can lead to meaningful global connections.

This is more than a trip. It is the next chapter in a story still being written.