Ireland Photography Tour

Itinerary

Monday, June 6

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

Tuesday, June 7

Arrive in Shannon, Co. Clare, Ireland. Organized taxi transfers to 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

Wednesday, June 8 (B, D)

Early breakfast and then travel by private coach 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. Group welcome dinner tonight. This quaint town is considered “The Irish music and cultural capital of Ireland”. Optional evening shoot at the nearby Cliffs of Moher or continue to enjoy the evening with traditional live Irish music at the pub in our hotel or around Doolin. Overnight at Hotel Doolin

Thursday, June 9 (B, 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 make our way through Burren National Park, which is known worldwide for its rugged ever-changing landscape and unique flora and fauna. We’ll then continue our scenic drive to the medieval city of Galway. There will be time to have lunch on your own and 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 The House Hotel

Friday, June 10 (B, L)

After a leisurely breakfast, enjoy a morning stroll and photograph swans at the 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 your own. We’ll provide a list of suggested restaurants – there are a lot of options to choose from. Overnight at The House Hotel

Saturday, June 11 (B)

This morning we’ll visit a local Connemara 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. Built in 1228, this medieval castle has been transformed into a leading luxury hotel named “#1 Castle in Ireland”. Feel like a queen or king for two nights! Guests on past trips have suggested we have two nights at the castle so we have included an additional night! Overnight at Ashford Castle

Sunday, June 12 (B, D)

This morning after a scrumptious breakfast at Ashford Castle we’ll meander around the grounds and nearby town. In the 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. This is a must for any castle stay! Jacket and tie required for gentlemen. Overnight at Ashford Castle

Monday, June 13 (B, L)

Another scrumptious breakfast at the castle. 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 to 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/evening we have a couple of options…photograph surfers in Ireland’s surfing paradise, try the detox and healing properties of a seaweed bath, or simply relax and rest in your room if desired. Overnight at Yeats Country Hotel Spa and Leisure Club, Sligo

Tuesday, June 14 (B, D)

After breakfast, we’ll head up the road to Drumcliffe 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 has one of the most beautiful and scenic journeys on the island. We’ll explore and photograph the stretch of iconic coastal landscape which includes 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. Dinner and whiskey tasting at our hotel. Overnight Bushmills Inn

Wednesday, June 15 (B, D)

Wake up early for an optional sunrise shoot at Giant’s Causeway. The Giant’s Causeway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was 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 🙂 Please bring a flashlight – the walk may be semi-dark since we’ll head out before sunrise.

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.

We’ll head toward our final destination and stay for two nights in the heart of Dublin where everything will be within walking distance from our hotel. 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 Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Dublin

Thursday, June 16 (B, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. You’re free to explore the city this day to 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 on your own today. 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. We’ll have a group farewell dinner pub style, and a Guiness might be on the menu for a night cap. Overnight at Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Dublin

Friday, June 17 (B)

Depart Dublin home any time of day.

May the luck of the Irish be with you!