Ireland and the Creative Spirit-Counties Mayo and Donegal

Your journey to Ireland begins with an overnight flight from the U.S.

You will be met at Ireland’s Shannon International Airport and driven north to Westport, on the shores of Clew Bay. The first afternoon you can relax; if the group is feeling a bit energetic, you can have a brief walk to get acclimated to your home for the next few days and listen to some traditional Irish music. (D)

County Mayo is the Ireland of your imagination, beautiful and inspiring, with breathtaking landscapes, fascinating countryside and culture. Music and history inspire your curiosity. Mayo people are warm and friendly and take pride in making their land your land!

Each day visit some of these typical areas from your home base. It is not possible to see everything during each tour, as there is so much to see and photograph, and there will also be time for unscheduled stops and special events in both County Mayo and County Donegal. The City of Westport offers wonderful street photography with winding streets, stone bridges over the river, and daily life. Drive along the shores of Clew Bay, stopping at Murrisk Abbey, and the Famine Memorial standing at the foot of Croagh Patrick.

Ireland is well known for its traditional music. The people have always loved their music and this relationship dates over many centuries to the present day. Westport has many traditional music pubs and you will be able to join in the fun on a few of the evenings.

Spend a morning photographing in and around the town of Cong. Photo locations include Ashford Castle, Cong Abbey, the forest and river, as well as the town itself. After lunch you 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. 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.

As you explore along the coast of Achill Island, you can photograph in many beautiful locations, one being lovely Keem Bay and Beach, recently named one of the 50 best beaches in the world. If time allows you will wind up at the deserted famine village at Keel. Achill Island is the largest island off the Irish coast. Wrought by wind and water, accessible by bridge over the sound.

Another day may be spent on the shores of Doo Lough and the ConnemaraMountains, where you will see some of the most stunning landscapes in all of Ireland. Sheeffrey Woods, a place where you must be careful not to disturb the leprechauns who inhabit the forest is along the way. Afterwards visit the town of Leenane, where you will have lunch with the residents, and have time for photographing in the small pub, known as Gaynor’s (film location of The Field).

Not too far from Westport is Carrigahowley or Rockfleet Castle, one of the many strongholds of Grace O’Malley, the adventurous sixteenth century Pirate Queen. Later in the afternoon visit Letterkeen Forest. (B each day, D last evening)

After breakfast the group will depart for County Donegal. Before reaching Donegal is County Sligo, where W.B. Yeats is buried, and Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery is located. It is home to the oldest collection of stone circles and dolmens known from neolithic Ireland.

Donegal is thought of as a lesser-known region, untouched and crying out for exploration. Nature abounds from the sheer quartzite walls of some of Europe’s highest sea cliffs at Slieve League, and there is warmth and wit to be found among the vibrant, Irish speaking communities. Weather permitting you will travel to the peninsula of Inishowen and Fanad Lighthouse. This journey will lift your spirits and present huge panoramas that will look different from every segment of the road you travel. Bright azure skies appear next to blue gray, shafts of rain, which bolt sea and sky together. Donegal Bay majestically swoops towards you, with its quaint fishing villages and harbors. The traditions of Irish music and dance, colorful small shops and cozy pubs, traditional cottages and houses are a few of the locations and activities you will enjoy in this region.

Photographic opportunities await you at the lovely Cathedral of St. Eunan and St. Columba of Letterkenny, and 30 minutes south is the Beltany Stone Circle, a Druidical temple somewhat resembling that at Stonehenge. Other possible photographic locations include Dolmen rock tomb of Kilclooney, and nearby, the picturesque town of Ardara. Farther north is Glenveagh Castle and National Park with their beautiful gardens, and Burtonport, a traditional fishing village. Not to be missed is wild, rugged, and romantic Malin Head, where you’ll reach the edge of Europe and the farthest north that you can go.

Your guides will need to take in to account the weather and local events in the area, but rest assured they will fill your days with photography, leaving time to learn from your photo leaders and local Irish guide. Overnight Letterkenny four evenings. (B, D, B, B, B, D)

After breakfast this morning, say goodbye to Donegal and make your way south to Shannon, with photographic opportunities along the way. Depending on the interests of the group there are several colorful villages, castles, or loughs to stop and photograph before reaching Shannon. Enjoy a wonderful farewell meal with your guides. Overnight airport hotel (B, L or D)

You can depart anytime today as the airport is walking distance from your hotel. Majority of flights depart morning or early afternoon, which should coordinate with the checkout time. There should be luggage carts outside the hotel which you can leave at the airport. (B)