For every disaster, there is a survivor and I am he,” declares Matt Flynn, stepping towards the three spirits listening as he speaks the ancient words of Tuan McCarrill. This is the Irish Creation story, and Matt is playing the part of Tuan, the shapeshifter who witnesses each race of invaders as they conquer and then lose the land of Ireland.

Matt’s classmates critique and make suggestions about choreographing their dramatic presentation. The Irish History and Culture class is preparing a play based on the Book of Invasions which they will present to the third-grade class in Edgartown School today. Costume ideas are discussed; a papier mâche mask will be made depicting flames to illustrate the concept of the “fire of thought.” Win Grimm will play the God of fiery thought, and the three spirits will be draped in sheets while holding models of the moon, the sun and the mountains.

Here in this elective class, the students learn the ancient stories of the Irish people, they paint murals depicting the savage effects of the Great Famine, plant potatoes to demonstrate the impact of a simple crop failure on those who live at subsistence level and they prepare projects intended to teach younger children what they have learned about the history of Ireland.

The idea for an elective class teaching the history and culture of this small western island grew out of student interest. Irish history was included as a case study in their sophomore Global History class. The fate of the Irish, their dependence on a poor crop on small pieces of infertile land caught the imagination of the students who wanted to know more about the story of the Irish than just their misfortunes.

Since 1998, when the class was introduced, the culture of Ireland has been celebrated and explored in Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School through art, music, drama, historical research and this year the conflict in Northern Ireland was used by students to explore the concept of ethnic conflict. Each year, the students involved with the Irish History and Culture program travel to eat an authentic Irish breakfast at the Keltic Kitchen in South Yarmouth where they are surrounded by photographs of famous Irish patriots including Michael Collins, and serenaded by traditional Irish music. The black pudding and the brown bread accompanied by rashers of Irish bacon are the traditional fare, but the faint-hearted often opt for blueberry pancakes.

A very vital part of the Irish history class’s mission is their teaching program, which is made possible by our generous cooperating teachers, Jill Lane, Alicia Knight, Robyn Maciel Wyngate, Amie Lukovitz and Reuben Fitzgerald. In previous years, David Kelly of the Oak Bluffs was a generous host, and we also have frequently called on Jonah Maidoff at the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School. These educators give our students a chance to teach what they know — and teaching, as we all know, is the most effective way to learn, so it’s a win-win situation for all of the students involved.

Because the focus of our learning is Irish, we use Irish cultural models of collaboration and community. Students are immersed in the cultural values so their learning is authentic, not merely voyeuristic observations of a different culture viewed through our own lens. Hundreds of students have taken the Irish History and Culture class and brought an energy and vivacity to the program. They teach, they make music and leave permanent evidence of their participation through the murals they have painted at the school. Interestingly, there are two Irish flags flying in the school library, and each flag has the green, white and orange of Ireland but the colors are placed in different sequence to honor the two belief traditions of Ireland.

One of the most important elements of the Irish program at the high school is the annual trip to Ireland. Since the first class traveled in 1998, hundreds of students have visited Kilmainham Jail in Dublin and wiped their eyes when reading the tragic last letter of Irish Revolutionary Joseph Plunkett, written to his fiance before his execution in 1916. They have walked the famine village on Achill Island, kissed the Blarney Stone and walked the 6,000 year old Ceide Fields site in Mayo. The traditional seaweed baths in Enniscrone are a popular annual event, with students cramming themselves into steam boxes after they have bathed in ocean water filled with seaweed. Castles, shops, cliffs and caves — the Irish trippers have seen much of Ireland not readily shown to the tourist. Last year’s itinerary included two interesting additions: the Irish National Opera and a Gaelic Football game where County Longford played County Sligo. The football game was a huge hit with our Vineyard travelers, giving them total immersion into the native culture. “It was so cool to be there,” say seniors Justin Kane and Gus Hayes. “We were the only Americans, and we got to share in something that only Irish people did.” Fired with enthusiasm, several of last year’s travelers returned to the Vineyard with a plan to introduce Gaelic Football. The search for a field is still ongoing. It has to be said that the football game drew more enthusiastic response than did the opera!

The Irish program at the high school has thrived and flourished thanks to the work of the students and the support of the community. Local businesses and banks have helped us to raise money to help students travel to Ireland; friends and supporters provide opportunities.

In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day and the Spring Equinox, next Friday, March 20, Island bands will play at Che’s Lounge in support of the annual trip. Sal Esposito’s band, Pierre, will play as will Ballywho and Nina Violet. The event is coordinated by Alex Karalekas, who will perform too. The Irish history class extends a warm invitation to all Islanders to celebrate the season and join them at Che’s, and wish everyone in the community an Irish blessing “Beannachta na Feile Paraic oraibh.” (The blessing of St. Patrick upon you.)