Celtic Celebrations

Céad Míle Fáilte! Arrive in Shannon in the Emerald Isle this morning, and drive to Galway while taking in your first views of the majestic countryside. En route, visit Clonmacnoise to view the remains of one of Ireland’s medieval monasteries. Check-in to your 3-star, centrally-located hotel before enjoying a group welcome dinner.

Today you will explore the Connemara region. A land of lakes and rivers, bogs and mountains, the Connemara is a region of small villages where Gaelic is still the spoken language and where little has changed since the beginning of time. It is without a doubt the wildest and most romantic part of Ireland. Next see Kylemore Abbey, the oldest of the Irish Benedictine Abbeys with a community of nuns who have resided there since 1920; it boasts beautiful Victorian walled gardens. Here, you will perform your first concert during lunchtime. Afterward, spend time exploring Galway before having dinner as a group.

Discover Ireland at its most beautiful as you travel to Killarney this morning. Travel through The Burren’s karst landscape before visiting the extraordinary Cliffs of Moher and Shannon Ferry Crossing. Continue on to Killarney. Upon arrival, check-in to your hotel and have dinner.

Today’s excursion explores the Iveragh Peninsula, or otherwise known as the Ring of Kerry, Ireland’s famed countryside of beaches, castles, beehives and abbeys. In the evening, perform your second concert at a local venue in Killarney. Afterward, enjoy dinner as a group.

Today’s journey brings you first to fabled Blarney Castle, where those that wish to gain the gift of the gab can kiss the Blarney Stone! Next stop is Cobh, an important port town and the final departure point of the ill-fated Titanic. Between 1848 and 1950, over 2.5 million people who emigrated from Ireland departed from this port. Learn about the town’s history of emigration in its fascinating Heritage Centre.

After breakfast, head over to the Old English Market to check out their fresh produce, fish and local butchers. Afterward, enjoy the rest of the morning exploring Cork on your own. In the afternoon, you will rehearse and perform at a local venue. Enjoy your last night in Cork with a dinner together.

On your way to Dublin, dive deep into the Irish countryside with the chance to be Irish for a Day. Experience rural Irish culture and partake in traditional activities such as bodhran drum lessons, sugán rope making, a bog visit, and brown bread baking, followed by lunch on the farm. Continue to Dublin in the afternoon and contrast the different customs and practices of the country’s rural and urban dwellers.

Sightseeing this morning shows you the busy streets and tranquil Georgian squares of Dublin. Visit Trinity College, home to the Book of Kells, before continuing to St. Patrick’s Cathedral for rehearsal and a lunchtime concert. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore Dublin at your leisure. Celebrate your successful performance tour with a farewell dinner on your last night in Ireland.

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