Ireland Photography Tour

Itinerary

Monday, April 25

Depart US for Shannon (SNN), County Clare, Ireland

Tuesday, April 26

Arrive in Shannon. Organized taxi transfers to Adare, Co. Limerick, known as one of “Ireland’s prettiest villages.” Spend the day at leisure and recover from jet lag or explore Adare’s rich heritage. 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, April 27 (B, L, D)

Eat an early breakfast and then travel by private coach to the old port town of Dingle on the Dingle Peninsula.

We’ll stop to eat a hearty lunch along the way, so when we arrive in Dingle, we can continue along the peninsula on one of Ireland’s most breathtaking drives, the Slea Head route. This circular route offers picturesque beaches and rugged coastline set against lush, rolling hills. Magnificent archaeological treasures, some dating back to the 7th century, have been well preserved by the locals. Slea Head will offer plenty of opportunities for our cameras to capture its dramatic panoramas.

Tonight we’ll spend the night in the colorful, yet cozy, town of Dingle. Group Welcome Dinner. Overnight at Castlewood House

Thursday, April 28 (B, L)

Breakfast at the hotel. If weather allows today, we’ll board a local boat to photograph marine life of the Dingle Peninsula. The sea and surrounding Blasket islands are an important habitat for a variety of species including puffins, Manx shearwaters, and other seabirds, along with dolphins, minke whales, basking shark, grey seals, and occasionally even humpback whales!

Explore and have dinner on your own tonight in Dingle. Don’t forget to stop by Murphy’s for dessert. Every ingredient in their homemade ice cream is natural, from the milk produced by the local Kerry cows to the sea salt derived from Dingle seawater! Overnight at Castlewood House

Friday, April 29 (B, D)

Breakfast at leisure this morning before we make our way to Doolin. This quaint town is considered “The Irish music and cultural capital of Ireland.” Optional evening shoot at the nearby Cliffs of Moher or enjoy an evening of live traditional Irish music in a local pub. Overnight at Fiddle + Bow

Saturday, April 30 (B, D)

Depart during early morning light for one last photo opportunity at the famous Cliffs of Moher. We’ll return to Doolin mid-morning for breakfast and to check out.

Our next stop is Galway. In Galway, there will be time to have lunch on your own. Explore and photograph the rich culture and history around the city and Galway Bay. In the evening we’ll meet up for dinner at Cooke’s Restaurant & Wine Bar, followed by a visit to a local pub (or two :). Overnight at The House Hotel

Sunday, May 1 (B, L)

After a leisurely breakfast, enjoy a morning stroll, and photograph swans at the nearby docks followed by a late lunch. 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. Dinner on your own tonight. We’ll provide a list of suggested restaurants. There are a lot of options! Overnight at The House Hotel

Monday, May 2 (B, D)

This morning (TBD) 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 have lunch at Kylemore Abbey and take some time to photograph their beautiful walled garden and gothic church.

Leaving Kylemore Abbey, 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 royalty for two nights! Guests on past trips suggested we have two nights at the castle, so we have included an additional night here. Overnight at Ashford Castle

Tuesday, May 3 (B, D)

This morning after a scrumptious breakfast at Ashford Castle, we’ll meander the castle’s 350-acre property and the nearby town. In the afternoon, we’ll partake in the ancient Irish art of falconry. Photograph harris hawks and possibly eagles, owls, and falcons, all up close and personal. A formal dinner is planned for this evening in the castle’s George V Dining Room. This is a must for any castle stay! Jacket and tie are required for gentlemen. Overnight at Ashford Castle

Wednesday, May 4 (B)

Another scrumptious breakfast is on the menu at the castle. This morning is for you 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.

Depart the castle 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, and blankets. Perhaps you need to get a gift for a loved one at home, and this the place to do so!

We’ll continue up the road to the small village of Lahardane, where we’ll meet with a local guide and learn of the heartwrenching account of 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.

In the late afternoon/evening there are a couple of options: Photograph surfers in Ireland’s surfing paradise, try the detox and healing properties of a seaweed bath, or simply enjoy some rest and relaxation in your room. Overnight The Nesbitt Arms Boutique Hotel

Thursday, May 5 (B, D)

There is much to explore in County Donegal And did we mention it’s bluebell season in Ireland? Mid-April through the end of May is the prime growing season for these attractive, bell-shaped flowers. If we’re lucky, the surrounding ancient forest floors will be blanketed in brilliant purples and blues interspersed with the whites of wild garlic.

County Sligo is full of surprises with its remarkable scenery, worldwide literary legacy, world-famous fiddlers, prestigious golf courses, and more, and we will explore all that time allows today!

Overnight The Nesbitt Arms Boutique Hotel, Donegal

Friday, May 6 (B, D)

After breakfast, we’ll make our way up the road to Drumcliffe Church. We’ll have opportunities to photograph early sculpted and decorated traditional Celtic high crosses. This monastery was founded in 574 and includes the headstone of the famous Irish poet and playwright W.B. Yeats.

Next destination, Northern Ireland, yet another beautiful and scenic journey on the island. We’ll explore and photograph this stretch of iconic coastal landscape which includes a World Heritage Site, historic medieval castles, and let us not forget the world’s oldest whiskey distillery!

We’ll be staying this evening at The Bushmills Inn. Explore the area’s scenery and other attractions including Bushmills Irish Whiskey Distillery. In the late afternoon we’ll visit the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and take in the stunning scenery and natural beauty of Rathlin Island and nearby Scotland, visible just across the sea. Dinner and whiskey tasting at our hotel. Optional evening shoot at Giant’s Causeway. Overnight Bushmills Inn

Saturday, May 7 (B, D)

Wake up early for a sunrise shoot at Giant’s Causeway. 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 🙂 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 also stop in the bustling city of Belfast for a lunch break and some photo opportunities.

For our two final nights, we’ll stay in the heart of Dublin, and many attractions will be within walking distance of our hotel. Each guest will be given a map of the area to explore with Dan or on their own. This evening, we’ll head out to the Merry Ploughboy for dinner and live Irish entertainment, voted “best event/dinner entertainment in Ireland.” Overnight at Iveagh Garden Hotel

Sunday, May 8 (B, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. You’re free to explore the city today. Photograph Dublin’s colorful doors, many different bridges, historical sites, and churches, and city parks such as St. Stephen’s Green. There are endless attractions in this charming city. 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. We’ll have a group farewell dinner, pub-style, and a Guinness might be on the menu for a night cap. Overnight at Iveagh Garden Hotel

Monday, May 9 (B)

Depart Dublin any time of day.

May the luck of the Irish be with you!