Dates: June 20-30, 2010
Tour Limit: 10 people
Cost: $3,195
Registration: Visit the tour page on the Strabo Tours website

View Ireland Gallery

Ireland offers incredible opportunities for photographers. Spend ten days exploring unspoiled villages, rugged ancient abbeys, broad peat lowlands, and the dramatic coastline of Western Ireland. The soft pastel shades of the mountains and clouds appeal to the artist and photographer. These natural landscapes, along with the people render this Isle a place of inspirational beauty. The Ireland tour is organized by Strabo Tours. Strabo Tours designs photo tours that will be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in photography and travel- regardless of age, skill level or equipment. Whether you are a serious amateur or a casual hobbyist you’ll have a great time on this tour.

Visit the Strabo Tours website for detailed information about the itinerary, accommodations, meals and more.

Itinerary

June 20
U.S. to Shannon
Our journey to Ireland begins with an overnight flight from the U.S. to Shannon, Ireland.

June 21
Shannon to Hillcrest House, Westport
We will be met at Ireland’s Shannon International Airport and driven north to Westport, on the shores of Clew Bay. The first afternoon we can relax; perhaps enjoy conversation in the library. If we are feeling a bit energetic, we can capture the sunset by exploring the nearby countryside or climb the hill above Hillcrest House.

June 22 - June 28
Western Ireland
Each day we will visit some of these typical areas from our home base at Hillcrest House. It is not possible to see everything during each tour, as we also like to take time for unscheduled stops. Our guide will plan each day considering the interests of the group, and special events taking place during our time in Ireland.

We often start each trip with a visit to Ballintubber Abbey. It is one of the oldest Abbeys in Ireland dating back to the twelfth century, named for the natural spring nearby, where St. Patrick baptized his first Irish converts.

Hillcrest House lays half way between the City of Westport and the Village of Newport. Both capture the flavor of true Irish towns with their tree-lined canals and colorful shops. After a stop in Westport we drive along the shores of Clew Bay, stopping at Murrisk Abbey, at the foot of Croagh Patrick. Ireland’s Holy Mountain, named after the national saint, is one of Mayo’s best-known landmarks.

Another day we will spend the morning photographing in and around the town of Cong. Photo locations include Cong Abbey, the forest, and river, as well as the town itself. The picturesque village of Cong was the setting for John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara’s film The Quiet Man. The King of Connacht founded the abbey ruins in the twelfth century. In 1198 the last High King of Ireland died in the abbey. After lunch we will have the opportunity to photograph an area of rolling hill, sheep, and a myriad of stonewall, on a hillside flowing down to Lough Corrib.

Driving north, our first stop will be along the ocean on the Atlantic drive in Mulranny. After lunch on Achill Island we will continue photographing along the ocean and given time, wind up at the deserted famine village at Keel. Achill Island is the largest island off the Irish coast. To get there, we will drive over the bridge at Achill Sound. Wrought by wind and water, the island is an arrangement of rock, cloud, and cliffs falling off to the sea.

We visit one of the few remaining round towers in Ireland, Turlough, standing amid a field of ancient carved gravestones. Nearby is the new Museum of Country Life, one of Ireland’s National Museums, well worth the stop.

We photograph along the shores of Doo Lough and the Connemara Mountains, where we will see some of the most stunning landscapes in all of Ireland. After lunch in the town of Louisburgh, we will spend the afternoon photographing in the Sheeffrey Wood, a place where we must be careful not to disturb the leprechauns who inhabit the forest.

Burrishoole Abbey is a great place to start one of our days. Nearby is Carrigahowley Castle, one of the many strongholds of Grace O’Malley, the adventurous sixteenth century Pirate Queen. Later in the afternoon we visit Letterkeen Forest.

June 29
Westport – Burren to Ennis
We will leave Hillcrest House early this morning, and drive to the Burren, a remote region near the town of Ennis. Our last full day of exploring and photographing will be spent in this beautiful area for the wild landscapes, culminating in with mighty cliffs. Tonight we will stay at the Temple Gate Hotel (or similar) in Ennis and enjoy dinner on our own. The hotel rests on the site of a nineteenth century convent.

June 30
Ennis - Shannon to U.S.
After breakfast we'll head to the airport to catch our flights home.

Strabo Tours Philosophy
Strabo Tours organizes tours that give you the opportunity to visit new destinations, learn about them, and return with a greater knowledge of photography. Local guides accompany the group in each country to provide expertise in the natural history and cultures of the area. You’ll go to inspiring locations where you can explore with your camera. Long days in the field, from early in the morning to late in the afternoon, allow you to take advantage of the best light. You will travel in the company of other photographers who share the same interest.

Their tours are not just workshops; rather, they are journeys of discovery that take you to great photographic locations with wonderful opportunities for informal, hands-on learning.