OLLI at Pitt members and Anita Quagliani, OLLI staff member, explored Dublin and Belfast from April 24 to May 2, experiencing Ireland’s cultural magic and the warmth of its people while also learning about the era of The Troubles (1960-1998) and the Good Friday Agreement that finally broke the cycle of violence.

Tour participants met with peace-and-reconciliation activists, former political prisoners from both the Republican/Nationalist and Loyalist/Unionist sides, and Irish-history scholars. On walking tours of Belfast and Derry they visited such sites as the the Titanic Belfast exhibit; the Epic Museum of Irish Emigration; and Stormont Estate, home of Northern Ireland's main Parliament Buildings.

“The highlight of the trip for me,” says OLLI member Louise Kaczmarek, “was the balance between the educational content about The Troubles and the cultural and social activities we engaged in.” Above, she’s pictured making Irish soda bread during a baking class held in a family farmhouse.

The tour group’s Republican/Nationalist guide, today a member of the Sinn Fein political party, shows OLLI members a cell similar to the one where he spent six years for his IRA activities during The Troubles.

The gates of one of Belfast’s Peace Walls, which are closed at 9 p.m. nightly. This wall separates the Republican/Nationalist side of West Belfast from the Loyalist/Unionist side. 

Traveling with OLLI sometimes means you don’t even have to leave the city! During Session 1 this summer we met on Monday afternoons at local “gems” to explore and learn. All five locations fed our curiosity and celebrated all that Pittsburgh has to offer!

At Pitt's Healthy Home Lab, researchers test real-world solutions and best practices for adapting homes to support people as they age. 

Our guided tour of the Aviary introduced us to many new avian species and habitats.

We had a behind-the-scenes look at all things Black & Gold at Acrisure, including a field level look at the expansive stadium.

Sports and history fans loved learning more about the life and legacy of Pittsburgh Pirates' athlete and humanitarian Roberto Clemente.

In May 2026, a large group of OLLI travelers went on a 3-day adventure to “Discover Philadelphia." The group genuinely enjoyed the peer travel experience. Meeting and traveling with fellow OLLI members was often mentioned as a highlight throughout the trip. The group was especially enamored with Longwood Gardens. The OLLI program looks forward to offering more regional trips soon.

Pitt OLLI’s “Discover Philadelphia” trip (May 13-15) began with a visit to Longwood Gardens: 1,100 acres of gardens, woodlands and meadows in the Brandywine Creek Valley. A guide (far right) tells OLLI members about some of the 4,600-plus types of plants and trees housed in Longwood’s largest conservatory — including its crown jewel, “Woody” (a Wood’s Cycad, or Encephalartos woodii), a sprawling, ancient species that is now extinct in the wild. 

OLLI’s tour included a stop at Christ Church, an Episcopal church in Philadelphia’s Old City neighborhood. During Revolutionary times, its congregation included 15 signers of the Declaration of Independence; OLLI members took turns sitting in pews once occupied by Benjamin Franklin, George Washington and Betsy Ross.

OLLI members Donna Leone (left) and Jeanne Bowers admire one of the walls of treasures at the Barnes Foundation Museum, an art collection and educational institution promoting the appreciation of art and horticulture. Its more than 4,000 objects include over 900 paintings — many by Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and Modernist masters, including Cézanne, Matisse, Picasso and Renoir.

October 21 - 30, 2027

Savor the flavors, sights and rhythms of these two South American countries—from bustling cities (including Chile’s cultural hub of Santiago and Argentina’s vibrant Buenos Aires) to sprawling ranches, vineyards and natural landscapes.

And you’ll barely have to reset your clocks: Chilean time is the same as U.S. Eastern Time, and Argentina is only one hour ahead. Adios, jet lag!

The online information session will be at 3:00 p.m. on September 10; register to learn more!