irelandCeltic Spirit: Ireland from Dublin to Dingle
Strabo Photo Tour Collection
Travel/Destination Workshop
with Douglas Beasley
July 6 – 16, 2019

Explore the Southern coast of Ireland on this unique photo tour. After a walking tour of the great city of Dublin, we will travel along the Eastern coast to photograph the fishing village of Howth Bay, the charming village of Avoca, and the beautiful Wicklow Mountains. Then we will cross the Southern coast of Ireland to Kinsale, one of the most colorful towns in all of Ireland. After that, it’s on to famed County Kerry, which includes many photo opportunities that most tourists never see, from Killarney to the breathtaking Dingle Peninsula.

The remote Dingle Peninsula is a magical place with mountains, rugged coastline, small towns with lots of character, and a remarkable concentration of prehistoric monuments. We will explore the unspoiled villages, old stonewalls, white cottages, rugged ancient abbeys, broad peat lowlands, and dramatic coastline. These natural scenes, along with the colorful and friendly people, render this isle a place of inspirational beauty. There are also spectacular monastic and megalithic ruins in our daily adventures. Doug and our local guide will plan the daily outings with consideration of the interests and energy level of the group.

This tour is designed to explore the less traveled Ireland, with Doug’s emphasis on the spiritual realm. If you wish to extend your stay and explore more of Dublin on your own, contact Strabo Tours and they would be pleased to offer some accommodation suggestions.

Who Should Attend:
We invite all those searching to expand their artistic and creative horizons and explore new cultures. Emphasis is less on technique and more on increasing visual awareness of our surroundings and how to better interpret and express that photographically. This workshop is appropriate for all levels, but students must have a working knowledge of their cameras. It is also a good workshop for spouses and non-photographer partners to join.

Student Testimonials About This Workshop:                                                              
“I made some of the best photographs of my life and discovered things inside of me that I didn’t know were there. I feel like you can easily, honestly and gently point out many of the emotional blocks keeping me from making photographs. I don’t want to make excuses and I want to create work that is true to myself, and I feel like you’re a great catalyst.”        – Sarah Rust-Sampedro, Minneapolis, MN

More Testimonials
“I have taken many classes from Doug and he has inspired me in all aspects of being a photographic artist. His gentle nature makes him very approachable and is willing to give advice even when the workshop is over. I would encourage any one interested even a little bit to take one of his workshops. I promise it’ll open up you mind, eyes, and soul.”          – Heather Matson, Saint Paul, MN

“Doug is kind, supportive, insightful, nurturing, sensitive and brilliantly attuned both technically and spiritually to the art, the eyes and the heart. There is a reason for the name Vision Quest.”          – Layla Smart, New York, NY

“You really walked everyone through your creative process which I found, as a new devotee to photography, enlightening! Thanks for a wonderful/thoughtful/honest presentation. I was truly inspired!”          – Sandra Weber, WI                                                                                               

View Doug’s photos from Ireland

View Portfolios of Doug’s photography 

DATES: July 6 – 16, 2019
Saturday, July 6: Arrive in Dublin, Ireland
Tuesday, July 16: Return home via Shannon International Airport

COST: $3,995.00  Airfare not included.
Includes tuition, lodging, group transportation, breakfast and dinner most days 

CLASS LIMIT: 12 student maximum!

REGISTRATION: Visit Strabo Photo Tours

 

Itinerary:

July 6 U.S. – Dublin
Your journey to Ireland begins with an overnight flight from the United States/Canada to Dublin*, Ireland.
*Please note your international airline ticket will need to be booked multi-city: Home/Dublin, Shannon/Home.

July 7-8 Dublin – Howth

The majority of flights land quite early in Dublin, therefore we have included guaranteed check in upon arrival to the hotel. Your hotel is situated a couple miles from Howth (the name rhymes with ‘both’) and is just 15 miles from Dublin International Airport. Upon arrival, you can take a taxi to your hotel, relax and get over jet lag, or perhaps take an optional tour in Dublin on your own. This evening you’ll have an introductory meeting (time to be announced) in the hotel lobby followed by a welcome dinner with your photo leader. The following day, the group will explore the beautiful seaside village of Howth and Portmarnock Beach with your photo leader and local guide.

Howth Harbor is delightful and you can enjoy a leisurely walk along the east or west pier to take in the great views of Howth Village as well as Ireland’s Eye, a beautiful island just off the coast. You can photograph the architecture and culture in the village, or travel on one of several walking trails along the cliffs. Overnight Sutton (D, B)

July 9-10 Glendalough – Wicklow Mountains

Depart after an early breakfast to reach Dublin on a city walking tour. Photograph the River Liffey with its beautiful bridges, as well as the historic Georgian district. Continue along the east coast south of Dublin to Bray, the biggest town in County Wicklow, which is known as the Garden of Ireland. While there, you can enjoy the lovely boardwalk. Bray Head and the scenic cliff walk provide a wealth of photo opportunities that will dominate the scene. Your drive continues through the Wicklow Mountains and to the monastic site of Glendalough. Arrive late in the day after the majority of crowds have left. If the weather permits, enjoy an early morning photo shoot there the next day. Stop in Avoca, a charming village where you will visit the Avoca Handweavers workshop.

We will be traveling to areas where there are few tourists and will have the opportunity to meet and enjoy conversations with the local people. We will experience the Irish food, culture, and history in the quite towns, as well as the bogs, limestone landscapes, and castle ruins throughout the county. Overnight Glendalough (B, D; B)

July 11 & 12 Kinsale – County Cork
Board the coach early this morning and drive through County Tipperary and Cork. Doug and your local guide will determine interests of the group and choose photo opportunities along the way. Continue your journey to Kinsale, a fishing port with colorful houses and fishing boats along the shore. Kinsale is arguably the prettiest village in all of Ireland. The next day there will be an early morning exploration of this medieval town, and afterwards an afternoon drive to either Cork City to explore the English Market (dating back to 1788!) or to Cobh Town, the last port of call visited by the Titanic on her maiden voyage. Given the right light conditions, a drive to Old Head may be in order for late light along the cliffs. Overnight Kinsale (B, D; B)

July 13 & 14 County Kerry – Dingle Peninsula

After a morning photo shoot in Kinsale, we continue west to County Kerry. If the weather is kind today, we may stop in Killarney National Park to experience Ross Castle with its colorful row boats, and also make a visit to town for additional architecture and time for those that would like to do a bit of shopping.

Continue driving west to the Dingle Peninsula, which thrusts out into the Atlantic, claiming Ireland’s most westerly point. Here, majestic hills soar over vast bowls of unspoiled valleys, glittering mountain streams tumble down to lakes, summer hedgerows blaze with fuchsias, and soft, golden beaches stretch for miles.

The region boasts of some 2000 prehistoric and early Christian remains. We make our way along the lovely Slea Head Drive, looking out onto the resplendent Blasket Islands, offering us a grand land and seascape. There will be many photographic opportunities of Iron Age and early Christian rocks and ruins. Clustered on hillsides over the cliffs are beehive-shaped stone huts built by monks as places of worship. The Town of Dingle has a lovely harbor and painted storefronts that will delight your senses. Overnight Dingle Peninsula (B, D; B)

July 15 Shannon
After breakfast, we will pack up and depart north, with photographic opportunities available as you make your way towards Shannon. Not far from our hotel for the evening is another beautiful Abbey, where you will enjoy early evening photography before your farewell dinner. Overnight near Shannon Airport for flights home tomorrow. Overnight Shannon (B, D)

July 16 Shannon – Home
After breakfast this morning, say goodbye to your new friends, transfer to the airport (time to be announced), and board your flights for home. (B)

 

Strabo Tours General Information:

Land cost: $3,995*, based upon minimum of 9 paying passengers, maximum of 12. All our program prices are based on double occupancy.

Single room supplement: $795*: Single rooms are subject to availability and are not guaranteed. We try to accommodate single travelers who request single accommodations, as well as single travelers who are looking for a roommate. If a single room is requested and we are unable to find a suitable roommate, or if you are in a single for another reason, you will need to pay the single supplement.

*Note: The trip cost is based upon the current exchange rate between the Euro and USD. Although the rate has been relatively stable, should it change there may need to be an adjustment in price.

The land cost includes:
•  Group transportation for tour events in the tour van
•  Accommodations based on two people sharing a room
•  Services of driver guide during the tour
•  Breakfasts (B), lunches (L) and dinners (D) as listed
•  Extensive pre-departure information and services

The land cost does not include: International air fare; air fare tax; airport transfers; additional transfers or accommodations that may be required by those not traveling with the group; lunches; dinner in Ennis; activities listed as optional, or those taken on your own; passport expenses; personal medical or travel insurance; any expenses of a personal nature or those not listed in what is included; tips to guides and service staff. Please contact Strabo Tours if you would like assistance with your International Airfare.

 

 

 

 

 

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