This year is the centenary of the Easter Rising in Dublin, a heroic, if doomed, insurrection against British rule in Ireland that raised Irish consciousness and set in train the events that led to the a brutal war of independence, a civil war and the creation of the modern Irish Republic.

Ireland’s history is a long litany of struggle for self-determination and Irish control of Ireland — all glorious failures. But at last in 1921, a treaty was signed ceding control of 26 counties out of 32 to the Irish people. The Irish Free State, as it was then known, had dominion status in the British Empire but enjoyed a great deal of civil autonomy. It was not until 1948 that the Free State became a fully independent Republic, taking its place among the nations of the earth. There will be great celebrations this year honoring the young men and women who gave their lives for a dream — one that largely came true.

The students of the Irish history and culture class at the regional high school will be attending the festivities during April vacation. It will be a great year to be in Ireland and to understand the unique appeal of this small nation.

Students will attend a reenactment of the Easter Rising, see the historic Book of Kells and watch Sean O’Casey’s historic play The Plough and the Stars. Other events outside of Dublin will include perennial favorites such as the Donkey Sanctuary and Blarney Castle in County Cork, the Cliffs of Moher, a hurling game, a traditional farm and the seaweed baths in Enniscrone. This trip has been part of the class since 1999, and a group has traveled almost every year.

The class began at the request of students who really enjoyed learning about Ireland as part of their global history class. They helped to shape the class and were instrumental in the emphasis placed on culture rather than just history. It was an amazing experience to be able to build a class based on student interest, and to make it a truly expeditionary experience. The class, now in its 18th year, has been actively engaged in teaching younger students in West Tisbury, Edgartown and Oak Bluffs School for many years.

They field a hurling team, learn legends, study history and travel to Ireland. It is a chance to understand another culture and recognize the commonalities among all people by learning differing perspectives. Each class has its own distinct personality. This year’s group embraced the legend of the Silkie with great enthusiasm. Traveling teams on the ferries have been seen pointing out the seals and questioning if they could be silkies. The notion is to learn something of the culture and history as you would know it growing up in that country.

This year’s trip is composed of all girls, something that has never happened before. One year, we did have 18 boys and no girls and I pleaded with a young woman to join us, but generally groups have been evenly divided.

There are many memories of past trips. Eric MacLean, who was killed in a car accident in 2001, was one of the founding members of the Irish history and culture group and traveled with us in 2000. Eric was so moved by the beauty of Achill Island that he told his family all about it. The following year we had the sad but meaningful duty of distributing some of his ashes in the place where he had felt so happy.

Another year my husband Joel Weintraub played John Wayne in a reenactment of the Quiet Man in the village of Cong where it was filmed. I played Mary Kate, and to the horror and stifled hilarity of the whole group, Joel made his romantic move and pitched me into a mud puddle. Another time, a group of 28 students stood at the shore of the cold North Atlantic in February, but no one was willing to try to swim in the water until chaperone Tom Rancich challenged Mary Vogel with the words: “You can swim now Mary and be able to say that you did it or spend the rest of your life wishing that you did.” Needless to say, she rose to the challenge and jumped in.

Andrew Phillips and Vanessa Pisano fell in love with Ireland and with each other on the trip. Years later they returned to visit the places they remembered, and recently they married. Over the years, the young people who climbed the mountains, bought the sweaters and filled their bottles with holy water have made a lasting connection with Ireland. The trip has been a movable feast for them, a treasured memory.

This year we have come full circle. When Samantha Cassidy travels with us to Ireland she will be visiting old friends and even a donkey named after her. It will be the first meeting between Samantha and Cassidy the donkey, but not her first visit to the donkey sanctuary. Some years ago, when Samantha was very ill her sister Anna adopted the donkey Timmy for her. When Samantha was asked what she would most like to do in the world, she chose a visit to meet Timmy who had been writing to her regularly. This year Samantha will meet the people at the donkey sanctuary again, and it will be a memorable and moving experience for all of us.

We have history — a shared story of love and connection. Only a teacher can share the world with hundreds of students, creating our own stories and recollections. It is a very fine thing that students from Martha’s Vineyard will be guests at Ireland’s birthday party.

Elaine Cawley Weintraub is chairman of the history department at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. The Irish history class trip takes place from April 13 to April 20.