Photo by: Ron Rosenstock
Location: Croagh Patrick County Mayo Ireland
PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR

Ireland Photo Tour: Making Meaningful Photographs

2026 Dates April 18-28, 2026 Contact us for details

Nine nights with accomplished photographer and tour leader Ron Rosenstock.
Sign up early for reduced rate on the first five single rooms!!!
• Check out Ron’s video on You Tube for a summary of his Irish Photo Tours.
• Tour limited to 12 passengers.
• Lovely hotel accommodations along the Westport quay with beautiful sunrises and sunsets over Clew Bay.
• Experience Western Ireland in County Mayo and County Clare.
• Relaxed & flexible itinerary to make the most of the opportunities that come your way.

Region

Europe

Destination

Ireland

Dates

April 21-May 1 2025

Duration

10 days

$3695

per person, double occupancy*

*U.S. dollars based upon minimum of 9 participants. There is a small group surcharge of $300 if 6-8 participants. We try to accommodate travelers who request single accommodations, as well as travelers who are looking for a roommate. If a single room is requested (subject to availability), or if we are unable to find a suitable roommate, there is a single room surcharge of $695.

Tour Overview

You will begin in County Mayo, what we call the quieter side of Ireland. Your home base is just outside the Town of Westport, which was voted Ireland’s Tidiest Little Town three times. This honor or award was designed to promote the most attractive, cities, towns, and villages of Ireland. From your home base you will explore Croagh Patrick, Achill Island, a famine village, abbey’s, lochs, and of course the local pubs.

Travel further south along the Wild Atlantic Way and explore the...

You will begin in County Mayo, what we call the quieter side of Ireland. Your home base is just outside the Town of Westport, which was voted Ireland’s Tidiest Little Town three times. This honor or award was designed to promote the most attractive, cities, towns, and villages of Ireland. From your home base you will explore Croagh Patrick, Achill Island, a famine village, abbey’s, lochs, and of course the local pubs.

Travel further south along the Wild Atlantic Way and explore the coastiline and villages. Your hotel is on the Quay (harbor) of Westport, County Mayo. It is an approximate 20-25 minute walk to the quaint town center, with its many shops and pubs of Westport. There is a pool and optional spa facilities available. Your next stay will be near Kilkee Bay, County Clare. You’ll drive along the Atlantic Coast, capturing the immense landscape, naturally formed bridges, cliffs, and the Loop Head Lighthouse.

You will enjoy traditional Irish breakfasts during your stay. Lunch will be at various restaurants and pubs, or we can stop in town and have a picnic lunch wrapped for our daily excursions in the field. Transportation is provided in a roomy tour van, which is large enough for both the group and your equipment.

Western Ireland affords us a unique opportunity in that there are so many wonderful hidden places to explore. Even if you have traveled to this area in the past, your guides will seek out new places to visit and photograph. There are spectacular monastic and megalithic ruins to seek out in your daily adventures.

Photo Leader

Ron Rosenstock

Everything was a highlight. Each day was different and special. Well organized and wonderful trip. Ron did a great job taking us to his favorite places and organizing each day. The driver was very professional and a pleasure to e with.

— R Rosales
Highlights were getting to know the Irish people – travellng back roads, seeing the West Irish countryside, music in the pubs, and the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Westport.

Ron has so many friends in County Mayo. He could adjust activities to fit the needs of the group.
— C & S Dunham

Ron,

Nice course, nice class today! It’s such a pleasure seeing your work…. and learning more about the “vision” you put into creating individual photographs. You’re as much a master of coaxing from software what you want the final print to be, as Ansel was in his physical darkroom work. And your images are every bit as striking as his. Maybe even more so. As I said, I learned a lot. And I think you for that. – Nick

— N. Miles
Our trip was a wonderful experience. Your planning which gave a savory taste of so much of what Ireland offers will be a memory I will always cherish. Thank you for the special stops that you did just because of my requests. I’ve already learned to play “Twinkle, Twinkle” on the tin whistle. Thank you for the high crosses and the dolmen. They were my favorites though there were many more…the areas of the potato famine were very moving.
— R. Smith

Hi Jacque, We wanted to say how much we enjoyed the tour with Ron. He was so organized and knew just where to go  despite the weather and all the other issues he was dealing with during the worldwide health crisis. And the organizational credit also goes to you!  We send you a huge thank you. We knew that you and Ron were working together trying to insure that we had plane reservations for home and hotels during our stay, etc. The woman behind the ‘curtain’…. we knew that you were doing your best to make everything happen. So a huge thank you to you as well.

Hope you stay healthy and we all keep our sound minds during this ‘strange’ time… as the Irish keep saying!

 

— J & S Morrell

Fantastic, simply fantastic. Having a knowledgeable tour guide that knew the best places to photograph and eat along with a driver that seamlessly navigated the irish roads are the primary reasons for taking this type of tour. Ron, however, went beyond this; he was able to include a lot of Irish history, culture and spirituality along with his unique presentations on the art of photography. Would like to do another tour with Ron.

— J Hopewell

It was great to travel with Ron, whose work I’ve long admired, and who knows the area, its people, and is so flexible with the itinerary. Aside from being inspired by his photographs, discussions, and the beautiful and interesting places he led us to, it was a wonderful to meet his local friends and even to be welcomed by some to their homes.

— S Skoloff

In my humble opinion this was a well run trip that delivered just what it promised.  The pacing worked perfectly for me.  I liked stopping at lots of different locales.  We seldom stayed anywhere that was too short or too long for me.  Can’t think of anything that would have improved the trip for me. I give the trip and Ron Rosenstock a 10 out of 10.

— E. Clark

The tour leader, Ron Rosenstock, set the tone immediately with his calm, confident, caring cordial and altogether welcoming engagement with each participant. I loved the freedom to explore what I wanted to photograph insead of being told how to shoot. That said, when I asked for some feedback it was candid and helpful and made a lot of difference to how I approached what I shot thereafter….. and the thereafter shots were a great deal better!!!

— M. McKiel

Ron was a gracious host and wonderful tour leader.  He made sure every one of us was comfortable and that we had the best opportunities for photographing.  His itinerary was diverse, interesting, and fun.  I loved his stories!  Jacque was amazing about the details.  The food was delicious.  The tour days were exciting and interesting.

— K.Gagne

The highlght of my trip was the end of the day.  Staying in the house and being waited on, discussions at night and info sharing.  Of COURSE the Irish countryside was great, but every Irish tour would  have this.  Ron is one of the nicest people I have ever met.  I feel privileged to have taken this photo tour with him as the leader.  He has so much information to share and practical advice, plus good stories and humor.   I am lucky to have made his aquaintance.  

— M.Coughlan

Ron was a gracious host and wonderful tour leader.  He made sure every one of us was comfortable and that we had the best opportunities for photographing.  His itinerary was diverse, interesting and fun.  I loved his stories!  Jacque was amazing about the details.  The food was delicious.  The tour days were exciting and interesting.

— K.Gagne

Ron was very helpful in all areas of the trip. I enjoyed his ‘tutorials’ each evening, especially the one where he took us through the editing process by showing us his before and after shots. He was also helpful when we were out shooting if we had any questions. He didn’t speak above our heads but shared information in a clear way – the mark of a good teacher! He wa enthusiastic and fun to be with, which set the tone for a great trip.

— J. Procell

This trip exceeded expectations by far! This was the result of your continuing concerns and interest in presenting to us so many aspects and views of Ireland.

— J. Bromley

Ron was a perfect trip leader. He dealt with all personalities of the group in a tactful manner. He made decisions based on what was best for all. He’s got a special talent.

— J. & B. Cummings

Ron, you provided ample opportunities to capture the essence of the landscape. However, I cherish most your times of sharing on creating your images, and the suggestions and comments you gave me regarding my own photographs. I am often recalling something you said or an image comes to mind as I contemplate some scene. I expect to see long-term results from my time with you.

— D. Lusk

Thank you for a fabulous trip! It was a blast and I actually learned some things too. I have made some progress on my Photoshop Elements skills, and am now able to selectively dodge and burn. Whoo-hoo! My next goal is to figure out how to work with layers.

— D. Broxterman

Ron, thank you especially for helping me see the beauty of clouds, of reflections of reeds in water, of silvery halos illuminating foxgloves in the forest, and of sunshine-patterned abbey windows on wet gravestones. Thanks to you, I leave with a new appreciation for the wonder and beauty of the world.

— J. Mitchell

Loved the boundless enthusiasm for all things Irish! His good humor and knowledge of the people, history, folklore, cuisine, and landscape of Mayo made the trip great. Loved going to pub sessions, too! He was very patient with all of us and I enjoyed the way he would point out his favorite spots to photograph.

— G. Alexander

Ron is my idea of the quintessential photo tour guide. He was happy to share his professional experience, knowledge and tricks of the trade with us. His love of Ireland, its people, history, architecture, and landscape came to life for us through Ron’s sometimes humorous, sometimes poignant, always interesting stories.

— S. Cocanour

Excellent presentation. I can’t think of any suggestions. Really enjoyed the variety of photos shown, plus the presentation and instructor’s knowledge. Very informative and fun to hear info and learning the material. I’m motivated to take better photos!

— Julie M.

Ron really was dedicated, and worked diligently to accomplish showing us the Ireland that he loves. Ron also has a wonderful personality for a tour leader: open, and humerous!

— J Bromley

We enjoyed all the history and stories of the areas we were visiting. ron is very knowledgeable, it was GREAT!!

— B & M Stewart

Ron’s attention to detail had a direct impact on the participants’ experience. He was always available to answer technical questions when asked.

— L Poirier

Your talk on photography and the spirituality of photography was a great revelation for me as I have always felt this way about it myself. Your talk was the affirmation I had been searching for. It was great beyond words to be participating with a group of Artists who were as passionate as I about photography and image making.

— M. McLaughlin

It is a photographers paradise-so much to shoot and in the most incredible light. But what makes Ron’s trip special is RON. Ron takes care of his people. Even the most timid, first time traveler is included, drawn out, mentored and educated. I truly look forward to exploring elsewhere under such positive circumstances.

— B. Bartel

Tour Itinerary

April 21: Home - Shannon

Our journey to Ireland begins with an overnight flight to Shannon, Ireland.

April 22: Shannon - Westport

You will be met at Ireland’s Shannon International Airport and driven north to Westport, on the shores of Clew Bay. After lunch relax and get settled into your accommodations for the week. Depending on the weather conditions there may be an opportunity for the group to photograph the sunset over Clew Bay. Overnight Westport Hotel (D)

April 23-29: Westport

Each day you will visit some of these typical areas from your home base. There is no possible way to visit all of them, so your tour leader and guide will plan each day considering the interests of the group. You will also enjoy an evening with a traditional Irish music session.

Visit Ballintubber Abbey, or Baile Tobair Padraig, in Irish. 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. After working for a few hours in and around the Abbey you can photograph the ruins of Moore Hall, a Georgian mansion destroyed during the war of independence. Later in the afternoon, photograph Castle Bourke, on the shores of Lough Carra.

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, drive to Murrisk Abbey, at the foot of Ireland’s Holy Mountain, Croagh Patrick. Later in the day you will be at the ocean on the west coast of Mayo at a remote rocky shore called Barnabawn Point. Your last stop of the day will be at Tully House, a private residence at the end of a quarter mile tree-lined avenue. There is an old mill along the Bunowen River, a short walk from the house.

Driving north today, your first stop will be along the ocean on the Atlantic drive in Mulranny. After lunch on Achill Island, continue photographing along the ocean, and wind up at the deserted famine village at Keel. Achill Island, wrought by wind and water, is an arrangement of rock, cloud, and cliffs falling off to the sea.

Photograph in the morning along the shores of Doo Lough, visiting two locations. After lunch in the town of Louisburgh, spend the afternoon photographing in the Sheeffrey Hills, a place where you must be careful not to disturb the leprechauns who inhabit the forest.

Burrishoole Abbey is a great place to start one of your days. Nearby is Carrigahowley 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 two evenings)

April 29-30: Westport - Kilkee Loophead Peninsula

Driving south today you will have photographic stops along the way to County Clare. Your destination for the next two evenings is Kilkee, on the Loop Head Peninsula. Bound on one side by the Shannon Estuary and on the other by the awesome power of the Atlantic Ocean, Loop Head has always been defined by its relationship with the water. As you drive south from Kilkee and embark on the famous drive, you’ll encounter the Bridges of Ross, dramatic cliffs, turbulent seascapes, and story-filled historic sites.

Drive to the very tip of the peninsula and you’ll come to the imposing Loop Head Lighthouse. There’s been a lighthouse on this site for well over 300 years; this one dates from 1854 and is open to the public. Take the guided tour and you’ll find yourself on the balcony, 75 feet above the ground, braced against the Atlantic winds as you marvel at the views.

Nearby, you might notice the E-I-R-E marked on a grassy clifftop in large white letters. This is a relic from World War II, when the writing was used to alert pilots that they were entering neutral air space. Overnight Kilkee (B; B,D)

May 1: Shannon - Home

Depart after an early breakfast as you will need to reach Shannon Airport around 10AM. Your flight home will need to be 12:30PM or after. If your airline of choice departs prior to 12:30PM, you can overnight at an airport hotel of choice, and fly out the next day. (B)