Stringletter’s Musical Traveler + Irish Music Tours Present an Irish Music Holiday September 14-24, 2020
Day 1 -14th September (Monday) Meet at Dublin Airport. Travel by luxury coach to the capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast. We’ll enjoy a tour of the Falls Road and the Shankill Road, taking in the world famous wall murals and learn about the history of the troubles from both sides of the divide. We’ll enjoy some traditional Irish music in Kelly’s Cellars, the oldest bar in Belfast.
Day 2 – 15th September (Tuesday) Meet at 9.30am to visit the famous Titanic Experience and learn about the history of ship building in Belfast. Birthplace of the famous White Star Liner, the Titanic, we’ll explore this story and see how the ship was built from plan to completion. This afternoon, you’ll have a few free hours to explore the city center before dinner. Music tonight is in Madden’s Bar.
Day 3 – 16th September (Wednesday) Meet at 9am and pack our luggage onto the coach for the journey to the Giants Causeway on the north coast. These basalt columns were formed over 50 million years ago and today are a world heritage site. Folklore has it that they were created by the giant Finn McCool. You’ll decide which story to believe! From here, we’ll pay a visit to tour the world-famous Bushmills Distillery and sample some of the finest Irish whiskey. We’ll make the short journey to Derry City to enjoy music in Peadar O’Donnell’s Bar.
Day 4 – 17th September (Thursday) We meet with our local historian, from Derry City Walking Tours, to take a guided tour of the famous 17th century Derry’s Walls and learn all about the history, from the siege of Derry in 1688 up to Bloody Sunday and the troubles. We’ll have a few hours off this afternoon to further explore the Maiden City before enjoying more music in the evening.
Day 5 – 18th September (Friday) Today we pack up again and take the short journey back across the boarder into County Donegal. We’ll stop off at the Moville Pottery Company, where you’ll get to decorate a piece of handmade pottery to keep as a souvenir. Tonight we stay in Ballyliffin and enjoy some traditional music in our hotel. (Note Ballyliffin is famous for its golf course and there may be an opportunity to take in an evening round for anyone interested.)
Day 6 – 19th September (Saturday) We’ll head south along the coast to the heritage village of Ardara which is famous for its hand-woven tweed and traditional music. We’ll pay a visit to Leo’s Tavern, hometown of Clannad and Enya, for a few tunes. We’ll visit the scenic Bloody Foreland and take the coastal Santa Ana Drive before arriving in Ardara. Music tonight is in the famous Nancy’s Bar.
Day 7 – 20th September (Sunday) Meet at 9.30am. We’ll take the coach to Donegal Town where we’ll visit Donegal Castle, built in 1474 by Red McHugh, chief of the O’Donnell Clan. It was vacated in 1607 during the Flight of the Earls. Weather permitting, we’ll take a trip out to Donegal Bay aboard the waterbus. You’ll also have time to explore the many gift shops before making our way back to Ardara. Music tonight is in the Beehive Bar.
Day 8 – 21st September (Monday) Today we’ll pack up and head east to the historic Armagh City. We’ll pay a visit to the Ulster American Folk Park along the way. The museum tells the story of the emigrants who made the journey across the Atlantic to North America hundreds of years ago. We’ll visit thatched cottages and log cabins and enjoy the stories of costumed characters. Music tonight in the Marketplace Theatre.
Day 9 – 22nd September (Tuesday) Meet at 9am. Today we leave the Orchard County and make our way south to the Irish National Stud and Japanese Gardens. Horseracing and breeding have been an important part of Irish society for generations and this is an opportunity to see what goes on behind the scenes in the equine industry. You can also relax with a leisurely stroll through the gardens. From here, we’ll take the short journey to the coastal town of Bray, where we’ll stay the night and enjoy a lively session in our hotel.
Day 10 – 23rd September (Wednesday) Today we take a trip to the historic town of Enniscorthy in County Wexford. We’ll pay a visit to Vinegar Hill, scene of the 1798 rebellion. We’ll make our way back to Bray via the Vale of Avoca and the Wicklow Mountains. Our final session tonight will be a special one – a few friends join us for the finale.
Day 11 – 11th May (Monday) Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and, after meeting at 10am, we’ll make our way back to Dublin. Drop off is at Dublin airport around noon.