Stringletter Travel + Irish Music Tours Present a Traditional Irish Music Holiday May 1-11, 2020

Please note: This Tour takes in the world famous ‘Cup o Tae’ Traditional Irish Music Festival in the heritage town of Ardara, Co. Donegal. A weekend of sessions, lessons and masterclasses. If you play, you will have an opportunity to participate in the classes on Saturday and Sunday, 2nd and 3rd of May. If you don’t play, we have a full itinerary of things to see and do.

Day 1 -1st May (Friday) Meet at Dublin Airport. Travel by luxury coach to the heritage town of Ardara, Co. Donegal. Stay at The Nesbitt Arms Hotel. Enjoy an evening of traditional Irish music.

Day 2 – 2nd May (Saturday) Meet at 9.30am and travel to the Glencolumncille Folk Village. Here we get an insight into life in Ireland in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. From here, we travel the short distance to Sliabh Liag Cliffs, the second highest sea cliffs in Europe. On our way back to Ardara, we’ll stop off at the Sliabh Liag Distillery to get a tour of Donegal’s only working distillery. We make our way back to The Nesbitt Arms Hotel for dinner and afterwards, music in the world famous Nancy’s Bar.

If you are attending the workshops, they run from 10am-12 noon and 2pm-4pm.

Day 3 – 3rd May (Sunday) Meet at 9.30am. Travel to An Grainan of Aileach, a 1,500 year old stone ring fort. This was the seat of power for the high chief of the O’Neill clan. From here, we visit Glenveagh National Park and Castle. Once owned by the McIlhenny family from the USA, it was donated to the Irish people and preserved as a national monument. On our way home we’ll stop by Leo’s Tavern, the birthplace of Irish super group, Clannad, and international female recording artist, Enya. After dinner, we’ll enjoy a session in the Beehive Bar, Ardara.

If you are attending the workshops, they run from 10am-12 noon and 2pm-4pm.

Day 4 – 4th May (Monday) Meet at 9.30 and depart for Claremorris, Co. Mayo. En route, we’ll stop off at the burial place of famous Irish poet W.B. Yeats. Before reaching Claremorris, we’ll pay a visit to and get a tour of Lissadell House. This unique place was the childhood home of , one of the leaders of the 1916 rising and the first female to be elected to the Houses of Parliament in London (although, she didn’t take her seat as she did not recognize English rule in Ireland). After dinner, we’ll have a few tunes with the local musicians.

Day 5 – 5th May (Tuesday) This morning we leave at 9am and go to Galway where we’ll take a walking tour of the city at 10 am (Lasts approx. 1hr). After a few hours shopping, we’ll drive the short distance to Oranmore Castle, owned by Leonie and the late Alec Finn (Bouzouki player with Irish traditional music group, De Danann). We’ll get a tour of the castle and play a few tunes in the great hall. From here it’s on to Ennis, Co. Clare. After dinner tonight, you can enjoy a stroll through the town and enjoy the music in the many bars.

Day 6 – 6th May (Wednesday) Today we have the morning to catch up on some retail therapy. We will leave our hotel at 4.30 pm to travel to to join their banquet – a celebration of Irish music, song, and dance. Once back in town, the option is yours if you want to enjoy even more music in the numerous bars.

Day 7 – 7th May (Thursday) Meet at 9.30am. Today we’ll take the scenic drive to Tralee, crossing the Shannon Estuary and stopping off in the town of Listowel, Co. Kerry (home of famous Irish writer and playwrite J.B. Keane). Tonight, we’ll visit the Siamsa Tire theatre and take in one of the many performances they put on based around Irish music, culture, and language.

Day 8 – 8th May (Friday) Meet at 9am and travel to Dingle. Today we’ll take the costal drive around Slea Head to view some of the most stunning coastal views on the island of Ireland. On our way back, we’ll stop off for a guided tour of The Dingle Distillery to see how the world famous Dingle Gin is made. Time permitting, we’ll have a few tunes in the Old Courthouse Bar with our friend, Tommy O’Sullivan.

Day 9 – 9th May (Saturday) Meet at 9am. Today we’ll travel the world famous ‘Ring of Kerry’, experiencing some of the most beautiful scenery and historical landmarks. We’ll stop off for dinner and a few tunes in Kate Kearney’s Cottage at the Gap of Dungloe. After dinner, we’ll enjoy a session by the fire in town in Buckley’s Bar.

Day 10 – 10th May (Sunday) Meet 9am. We’ll travel to the famous town of Kilkenny, known for its Smithwicks red ale and its castle and old medieval architecture. En route, we’ll stop off at the and pay a visit to the Cashel Independent Museum which houses hundreds of artifacts from the War of Independence and Easter Rising. Following a tour of , we’ve a few hours off to explore the cobble streets that house gift shops, restaurants, and pubs. We’ll end the evening with a few tunes in Bollard’s Bar in the company of good friends for our final session.

Day 11 – 11th May (Monday) Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and, after meeting at 9am, we’ll make our way back to Dublin. Drop off is at Dublin airport in the early afternoon.