From Favela to the World Stage: ACD Student Gabriel Morse Returns to His Roots to Inspire the Next Generation

ACD Creative Writing student Gabriel Morse knows firsthand how transformative access to the arts and education can be. Raised in one of Brazil’s largest slums, his life took a remarkable turn thanks to a local performing arts programme. From singing in a children’s choir to performing with Andrea Bocelli and speaking to thousands of students across Brazil, Gabriel’s story is one of resilience, ambition, and global perspective. Now based in Dublin and writing his first book, he’s using his voice—on stage and on the page—to inspire others to dream bigger.

Dublin Ranked As 4th Most Walkable City In The World

In a recent global study published in Nature Cities, Dublin has been ranked as the 4th most walkable city in the world. The research evaluated over 10,000 cities based on the average time residents need to walk to essential services such as schools, hospitals, shops, and restaurants. Dublin’s average of 7 minutes and 24 seconds places it just behind Milan, Copenhagen, and Turin. ​ The study highlights that more than 95% of Dublin’s residents live within a 15-minute walk of essential amenities, underscoring the city’s commitment to accessible urban living. This achievement aligns with the “15-minute city” concept, aiming to reduce car dependency and promote healthier, more sustainable lifestyles. For students at American College Dublin (ACD), this walkability translates into easy access to numerous cultural and historical sites. Here are some notable destinations within walking distance: St. Stephen’s Green: A historic park offering serene landscapes and a glimpse into Dublin’s past. Trinity College Dublin: Home to the famous Book of Kells and a hub of academic excellence. Temple Bar District: Known for its vibrant nightlife, art galleries, and cultural institutions. Grafton Street: A bustling shopping area filled with street performers and local boutiques. National Gallery of Ireland: Features an extensive collection of Irish and European art.​ Dublin’s compact layout and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure make it an ideal city for students and visitors alike to explore on foot. Whether you’re heading to class or discovering the city’s rich heritage, everything is just a short stroll away.

News – Orientation 2024 A Thrilling Introduction to ACD

American College Fair

A mix of informational sessions and fun-filled activities made Orientation 2024 a resounding success among the newest members of the ACD community. The day commenced at the Alex Hotel, where attendees met their orientation groups and student leaders.

Contemporary global challenges

A large precious metal mine

Concentrates on the recent dynamics of the global environment focusing on the changes in the geopolitical and economic map, the crisis in the Western World, the power of states in market economies, the central role played by innovation and technology in development and the challenging global imbalances, such as commodity markets and environmental issues.

Sustainable Business (Specialist course)

This course will look how creative and sustainable business can tackle environmental and resource problems such as air pollution, climate change, ozone depletion, food supply problems, depleting stocks of fish, fossil fuels, and fresh water. We will review national and international government agencies initiatives such as eco-taxes, recycling policies, environmental taxation, regulations such as the Kyoto Protocol and eco-business opportunities. In this course we will study the main components of sustainable business practices includes sustainable economic theories, modern business practices, cost savings from recycling, reducing power consumption and reusing inputs.

History seminar: themes in Irish history

This course examines selected themes and developments in Irish history from prehistoric times to the present. The objective is to develop an understanding of the course of Irish history and its place in the wider European historical experience. Class sessions are conducted in a lecture and discussion format. Student participation requires full and punctual attendance, taking of lecture notes, completion of required reading, involvement in class discussions, and completion of assigned reports on various themes with presentation to the rest of the class. Field trips explore historically relevant aspects of Ireland’s capital.