ITINERARY
July 31 U.S. – Shannon
Our journey to Ireland begins with an overnight flight from the U.S. to Shannon, Ireland.
August 1 Shannon – 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’re feeling a bit energetic we can capture the sunset by exploring the nearby countryside or climb the hill above Hillcrest House.
August 2-8 Western Ireland
Each day we’ll visit some of these typical areas from our home base at Hillcrest House. It isn’t possible to see everything during each tour, as we also like to take time for unscheduled stops. Our guides will plan each day considering the interests of the group, and special events taking place during your time in Ireland.
We often start each trip with a visit to Ballintubber Abbey, or Baile Tobair Padraig, in Irish. It is one of the oldest Abbeys in Ireland dating back to the 12th century, named for the natural spring nearby, where St. Patrick baptized his first Irish converts.
Hillcrest House lies half way between the City of Westport and the Village of Newport. They both capture the flavor of true Irish towns with their tree-lined canals and colorful shops. After a stop in Westport, along the shores of Clew Bay, we will drive to Murrisk Abbey, at the foot of Ireland's Holy Mountain, Croagh Patrick. Later in the day we will be at the ocean on the west coast of Mayo at a remote rocky shore called Barnabawn Point.
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 12th 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 today, 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’ll drive over the bridge at Achill Sound. The island wrought by wind and water — an arrangement of rock, cloud, and cliffs falling off to the sea.
Today 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’ll 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 Hills, 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 16th century Pirate Queen. Later in the afternoon we visit Letterkeen Forest.
We can spend an entire day in the old city of Galway. Winding streets of antique shops and art galleries will entice you as we view the city. You’ll find many handcrafted items such as traditional Irish sweaters, prints, and pottery or shops filled with books or Irish music. Be sure to take at least one piece of Ireland home with you. Galway is a lively city that may even present you with dancers and musicians performing in the streets and alleyways. If it’s boats you are looking for the river nearby is lined with colorful one’s to photograph.
August 9 Westport – Burren - Ennis
We’ll 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 the mighty Cliffs of Moher. 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 19th Century Convent.
August 10 Ennis – Shannon – U.S.
After breakfast this morning, we’ll say good bye to our new friends in hopes of seeing them again some day, perhaps even at Hillcrest House. We board our afternoon flights for home.