Music & Photography of Ireland 2023 with Brent Mason & Mark Hemmings
9 Days, 8 Nights
September 26th – October 4th, 2023
Starting At
$3699 CAD per traveller
Choose the Mark Hemmings Photography Workshop Track for $5995 CAD
**Both options are based on double occupancy**
***Single Supplement is $1500 CAD***
per person based on double occupancy
*All package items and prices are subject to change due to provider and supplier changes and availability, unforeseen travel conditions, cancellations and culpability.
**All prices in trip specified currency with taxes included for overseas trips.
***Trip fees include all breakfast where specified and applicable, hotels & accommodations, in-country transportation, scheduled tours and activities (unless otherwise specified), local taxes but do not include flights costs to and from trip location, lunches, dinners & beverage (unless otherwise specified), other personal entrance fees & transportation, transportation to and from airport and hotels & accommodations.
Brent Mason
Brent Mason is an award winning musician, writer and film maker. His live shows reveal a world class, often hilarious story teller which also manifests itself in his short stories and poetry. Perhaps it’s his History degree, perhaps it’s his life experience as a traveller and carny, or perhaps it’s his Irish roots or his love of music, but whatever it is, there’s something about Ireland that connects with Brent and he’d love to share this special tour of the Emerald Isle with you!
Mark Hemmings
DAY 1: September 26th – Dublin
Welcome to Ireland! Upon arrival in Dublin make your way to the hotel conveniently located in the heart of the city. Once checked in, use the rest of the day to explore and indulge in some rich Irish comfort food. For those who chose the photography workshop track with Mark Hemmings, we will be practicing some fun street photography. We suggest a Boxty at Gallagher’s Boxty House, Cockes and Mussels at the Winding Stair, or some traditional Irish stew at the Brazen Head. Tonight we’ll gather at a local pub and lift our first Guinness in the Emerald Isle. Slainte!
Inclusions: Hotel accommodations
DAY 2: September 27th – Dublin
Today is your free day to explore! You could explore Dublin’s Temple Bar district and make your way to the Guinness Storehouse and to the Jameson Distillery to sample some of Ireland’s finest! For those who chose the photography workshop track with Mark Hemmings, we will be spending the day exploring and photographing the best Dublin has to offer.
Inclusions: Hotel accommodations and entrance tickets
DAY 3: September 28th – Dublin to Galway
The shuttle will pick you up this morning and transport you west through the counties of Kildare, Offaly and Roscommon.
The first stop is the attractive village of Athlone in Roscommon County, where you get a chance to stop at Sean’s Bar for lunch.
After exploring the area thoroughly, you head to Galway City where you’ll be staying for the next three nights. There, excellent food and cozy pubs await you within this lively town.
Inclusions: Hotel accommodations and transportation
DAY 4: September 29th – Galway
Today, the shuttle will pick us up in the morning and we’ll travel from Galway to the magnificent Isle of Inishmore, on Ireland’s Aran Islands. Inishmore can only be accessed by a flight or ferry. Getting there by ferry and while on the island, you will experience Inishmore’s history and cultural. By going to Dún Aonghasa, The Seven Churches, a seal colony viewing point, and a local craft village, you will hear and see the culture and history of the island as you explore.
Inclusions: Hotel accommodations & breakfast, transportation, and tour fees
DAY 5: September 30th – Galway to Dingle
Discover the delights of Clare County on our way from Galway to Dingle on this adventurous travel day. Travel along winding coastal roads, and explore pretty towns and villages. Marvel at the natural majesty of the UNESCO-listed Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland’s most popular attractions from Galway. Travel south you will pass through quaint fishing villages like Doolin and Kinvara. Admire the ancient fortress of Dunguaire Castle, immerse yourself in the Burren, a limestone landscape reminiscent of the moon’s surface, and then spend a leisurely walk the trails surrounding the colossal Cliffs of Moher.
Inclusions: Hotel accommodations & breakfast, entrance fees & tickets
DAY 6: October 1st- Dingle Peninsula
The Dingle Peninsula has one of the greatest concentration’s of archaeological sites in Western Europe, stretching back over the past 7000 years. It is estimated that there are almost 2500 archaeological sites on this narrow rugged finger of land jutting into the Atlantic Ocean. You will visit archaeological sites that include Medieval dry-stone bridge, a famine burial ground, aspects of medieval Dingle, neolithic rock art, the earliest Irish alphabet written in stone (Ogham script), sacred wells, early Christian monastic sites, drystone oratories, ringforts, beehive huts and medieval churches.
Inclusions: Hotel accommodations & breakfast, transportation, entrance fees & tickets
DAY 7: October 2nd – Dingle
Explore on your own this colorful Bohemian, artistic, and genuinely friendly town. Dingle is famed for its pubs where you can buy a pint and some wellies. Push out beyond the town and you’re faced with an incredible 6,000 years of history and the Kerry coastline with its pounding waves, salty winds, dramatic cliffs and wide racing skies. Gaze out over Dingle Bay and Tralee Bay. See the Gallarus Oratory, Eask Tower, Dingle Lighthouse, and Dingle Distillery. For those of you who are taking Mark’s photography track, today will be an adventurous series of photo walks and an afternoon photo session.
DAY 8: October 3rd – Dingle to Dublin
Today we will travel through the heart of south central Ireland. Travel along country roads and explore pretty towns and villages such as Killorglin, Aghadoe and Killarney. Stop at Rock of Cashel in Tipperary County. The drive will resume through Laois County to Kildare on to Dublin. For our last evening in Dublin you will truly discover Dublin’s rich literary heritage while absorbing the convivial ambience of traditional pubs on a literary pub crawl. Wander Dublin’s charming streets to visit sites and pubs that inspired some of the country’s most famous writers; enjoy refreshing pints of locally brewed ale and sample local specialties of your choice. Delve into Dublin’s literary past and exciting pub culture with entertaining and informative actors during this enriching experience.
Inclusions: Hotel accommodations & breakfast and transportation
DAY 9: October 2nd – Travel Day Home
All good things must come to an end, including your time in the Emerald Isle. Make your way to the airport and depart according to your flight times.
Don’t forget to tag Hygge Life Travel when posting your pictures so we can experience the fun with you!