April 8 - 15, 2024
Ensemble Ibérica artistic director, Beau Bledsoe, Erin McGrane and Jeff Freling (of Victor & Penny), and Irish multi-instrumentalist Brendan McCreanor take you on a once-in-a-lifetime tour of Ireland. Experience traditional Irish music in the spring beauty of County Clare with its Iconic towering cliffs, ancient limestone landscapes, and quaint towns. We’ll visit Dublin to experience its bustling pubs, vibrant nightlife, and over 1,000 years of history.
Monday, April 8th: Arrival at Shannon Airport with transportation provided to the Falls Hotel & Spa located in the picturesque town of Ennistymon in West Ireland’s County Clare. The Falls Hotel conceals within its walls an eighteenth-century mansion and a late medieval castle, with a formidable history of four and a half centuries. The Hotel is also certified as a carbon-neutral property which runs solely on hydroelectric from the adjacent Inaugh River.
Tonight, we’ll all get acquainted with a cocktail reception and dinner on the front terrace with music uilleann piper Eoin Ó Briain.
Tuesday, April 9th: After breakfast (included each morning), we will board our private coach for a spectacular day trip to the awe-inspiring Cliffs of Moher and the Neolithic dolmen or portal tomb located in the Burren, County Clare.
Tonight we’ll dine at the family run seafood and steak restaurant Barrtrá situated on the Wild Atlantic Way against the backdrop of Liscannor Bay featuring singer/songwriter and educator Roisín (Rosie) Ní Ghallóglaigh and harpist Aisling Lyons.
Wednesday, April 10th: Today we visit the McKernan Woollen Mill studio and workshop in the village of Tuamgraney. We’ll learn how they create their unique designs from concept to hand-finished pieces that are available there for purchase.
We’ll also visit the capital of County Clare, Ennis. Situated on a bend in the River Fergus, it is certainly one of Clare’s most picturesque centers – with its narrow, winding streets, historical buildings and busy market town atmosphere.
Tonight we attend an Irish trad session led by Brian O’Loughlin.
Thursday, April 11th: Free day (We will provide a list of suggested site visits and activities)
Friday, April 12th: After breakfast, we will check out of the hotel and board our private coach for a three-hour scenic drive to Dublin. Upon arrival, we check-in at the Iveagh Garden Hotel, an urban oasis just steps from Dublin’s famous Grafton Street. Tonight, we’ll meet for dinner at Elle’s Bar and Bistro located on the hotel grounds.
Saturday, April 13th: Today, we visit World Heritage Site Newgrange, an Irish passage tomb that dates to 3,200 BC.
Sunday, April 14th: Free day in Dublin (We will provide a list of suggested site visits and activities). Tonight we have our closing dinner party with music provided by Irish multi-instrumentalist Brendan McCreanor.
Monday, April 15th: Travel Day from Dublin back to U.S
April 8 - 15, 2024
Price $3,965
per person/ dbl. occupancy PLUS AIRFARE
Trip is strictly limited to 27 people
Participants will need to be able to walk moderate distances unassisted, climb stairs and manage uneven surfaces.
Schedule and activities may slightly change if unforeseen circumstances arise.
Arrange your own flight. Flights are not included in the cost of the trip.