Ireland Photography Tour I

Itinerary

Tuesday, June 4

Depart U.S. for Shannon, County Clare, Ireland

Wednesday, June 5

Arrive in Shannon, Co. Clare, Ireland. Welcome by our guide Con O’Leary and transfer to nearby Adare, Co. Limerick, known as one of “Ireland’s prettiest villages”. Spend the day at leisure to recover from jet lag or explore Adare’s rich heritage and take a walk through the village to photograph its thatch cottages, the Maigue River and Adare Manor Grounds. Overnight at the Dunraven Arms Hotel

Thursday, June 6 (B, D)

Early breakfast and then travel by private coach to Killarney National Park. Enjoy a morning walk on the Mossy Woods Nature Trail. A gentle, easy walk (approximately 1.3 miles) on this captivating nature trail winds through trees dripping with moss, similar to rainforest scenes. Muckross Lake is surrounded by mossy rocks and trees brimming with bird life providing for beautiful photographic opportunities.

We’ll travel the scenic drive to the old port town of Dingle on the Dingle Peninsula. Lunch stop in Dingle Town with time to photograph and explore the village and local culture. We’ll continue on to Doolin for our evening stay. Enjoy dinner and music in this quaint town considered “The Irish music and cultural capital of Ireland”. Evening shoot at the nearby Cliffs of Moher. Tonight experience traditional live Irish music at the pub in our hotel or around Doolin. Overnight at Hotel Doolin

Friday, June 7 (B, L ,D)

Depart during early morning light for one last photo opportunity at the famous Cliffs of Moher. We’ll return to Doolin for mid-morning breakfast and to check out. We’ll visit Burren National Park, which is known worldwide for its rugged ever-changing landscape and unique flora and fauna and then continue our scenic drive to the medieval city of Galway. Lunch in Galway. There will be time to explore and photograph the rich culture and history around the city and Galway Bay before meeting for dinner at Cooke’s Restaurant & Wine Bar followed by a visit to a local pub (or two :). Overnight at Hotel Meyrick

Saturday, June 8 (B, L)

After a leisurely breakfast, enjoy a morning stroll and photograph the famous, century-old local Galway farmers market which sells a variety of fresh produce and locally produced crafts – also a great place to chat it up with the locals. Photograph swans at nearby docks followed by a late lunch at the Artisan Restaurant, a cozy and quaint local (and delicious) cafe. We’ll meet up with a local guide for a Legends Tour of Galway, visit the Church of St. Nicholas and learn about the myths and legends the city holds in its vivid history. Following the tour we’ll have a little “warm up” with a demonstration of the art of Irish Coffee Making at a local pub. Dinner on own with a list of suggested restaurants – a lot of options to choose from. Overnight at Hotel Meyrick

Sunday, June 9 (B, D)

This morning we’ll visit a local Conemara hill-village where we’ll be immersed in local Irish culture and experience live Irish music, Gaelic language, Irish Soda Bread-making, thatched cottage customs and how the locals use their vast peat bogs – yes peat bogs! We’ll head to Kylemore Abbey for lunch and to photograph their beautiful walled garden and gothic church. Then we’ll make our way to Ashford Castle in County Mayo. Late afternoon we’ll enjoy photographing the ancient Irish art of falconry on this 350 acre property. Photograph Harris Hawks along with possibly eagles, owls and falcons up close. Formal dinner this evening in the George V Dining Room. Jacket and tie required for gentlemen. This is a must for any castle stay! Overnight at Ashford Castle

Monday, June 10 (B, L)

This morning after a scrumptious breakfast at Ashford Castle we’ll take a leisurely walk with photo shoot opportunities around the castle grounds. This morning is for guests to enjoy all that Ashford Castle has to offer. Optional leisure activities include fishing, lake cruising, clay shooting, bicycling, golf, kayaking, horseback riding or spa. We’ll depart late morning to have lunch at Foxford Mills, one of the last working mills left in Ireland. Shop the best deals on wool scarves, throws, rugs, blankets or perhaps bring a gift for a loved one at home. We’ll continue up the road to the small village of Lahardane, where we’ll meet with a local guide and learn of the heart-wrenching account of the 14 local villagers and their quest to seek a new life in America by way of the Titanic in April 1912. Visit the 100-year anniversary memorial that was built for them. Late afternoon we have a couple options….photograph surfers in Ireland’s surfing paradise or try the detox and healing properties of Voya Seaweed Bath. Just down the road we’ll stop for an evening ride along the beaches of Sligo and Donegal Bay by horseback. Overnight at Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Sligo

Tuesday, June 11 (B, D)

After breakfast we’ll head up the road to Drumcliff Churchyard. We’ll have opportunities to photograph early sculpted and decorated traditional Celtic high crosses. The monastery was found in 574 and includes the headstone of the famous Irish poet and playwright W.B. Yeats. Next destination, Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is one of the most beautiful & scenic journeys on the island. We’ll explore and photograph the stretch of iconic coastal landscape which include a World Heritage Site, historic ruined castles and need us not forget the world’s oldest whiskey distillery.

We’ll be staying this evening at The Bushmills Inn. Explore the area’s scenery or other attractions including the Bushmills Irish Whiskey Distillery. Late afternoon we’ll visit the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. Stunning scenery and natural beauty of Rathlin Island and nearby Scotland – visible just across the sea. After dinner, we head for the Giant’s Causeway for an evening shoot. The Giant’s Causeway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, created by volcanic eruptions and cooling lava, an unbelievable sight to behold. Its staggering 40,000 interlocking basalt stone columns lead into the Irish Sea, the result of millions of years of seismic activity, HOWEVER, legend tells a different story of how it came to be 🙂

Wednesday, June 12 (B, D)

Wake up early for a sunrise shoot at Giant’s Causeway. Back to the hotel to eat breakfast and then board the coach and drive along the coastline to our next photographic destination – Dunluce Castle. We’ll drive to an “off the beaten path” location to photographic Ireland’s Dark Hedges and also stop in the bustling city of Belfast for a lunch break and some photo opportunities. If time permits, we’ll visit Howth, a fishing village just north of Dublin where we can photograph St. Mary’s Church, the harbor and hopefully see the popular Howth seals. We’ll be staying for two nights in the heart of Dublin and everything will be within walking distance. Each guest will be given a map of the area to explore with Dan or on their own. This evening we will head out to the Merry Ploughboy for some live entertainment and dinner. Voted “Best event/dinner entertainment in Ireland”
Overnight at The Fitzwilliam Hotel

Thursday, June 13 (B)

Breakfast at hotel. Take a tour by horse and carriage around the city/Temple Bar area to get to know way around Dublin better. After tour, free to explore the city and photograph the colorful Dublin doors, its many different bridges, historical sites and churches, city parks such as St. Stephen’s Green and the many more attractions that Dublin has to offer. Lunch and dinner on your own. Meet up for an optional evening walk and photo shoot around Temple Bar district, the lively hub of Dublin’s pubs and restaurants. Photograph the night lights and life of the city. A Guiness might be on the menu for a night cap.
Overnight at The Fitzwilliam Hotel

Friday, June 14 (B)

Depart Dublin home any time of day.

May the luck of the Irish be with you!