Strabo Photo Tour Collection

Ireland: Watercolor Painting Tour with Becky Haletky

Your itinerary is set in the unspoiled villages, rugged ancient abbeys, broad peat lowlands, and the dramatic coastline of Western Ireland. The soft pastel shades of the mountains and clouds appeal to the artist and photographer. These natural landscapes, along with the people, render this Isle a place of inspirational beauty. We will visit places you could never locate on your own — tiny villages, hidden beaches, castles, and ancient abbeys.

Becky Haletky will introduce painters to her favorite out of the way locations and instill in them a love of the color and light of Western Ireland. Participants will learn how to capture and interpret what they see in their own style, with one on one instruction and guidance. Artists of all levels of ability will appreciate this unique opportunity.

Becky has won nearly 300 awards for both her photography and painting in regional and national exhibits. She has been teaching watercolor techniques since 1993 and uses photography to assist in her own painting as well as her teaching techniques at Boston area art centers and museums. Becky serves on the board of directors of the prestigious New England Watercolor Society and is published in several books including Best of Watercolor by Rockport Publishers. She has a BFA in photography from Massachusetts College of Art, and has been painting in watercolor since 1980. Participants will paint on location, as well as learn how to take better reference photographs for paintings.

Guiding you through the Irish countryside is Olcan Masterson, a walking authority on the history of western Ireland, has spent many years exploring the hills and back roads of the area. An accomplished musician as well, he has spread traditional Irish music all over Europe and the U.S. with his flute and tin whistle. Mostly though, he is a living embodiment of Irish charm and hospitality. He will show you the spirit and soul of Ireland, as few visitors will ever experience it. Traditional culture thrives in Mayo, and participants will have plenty of opportunity to explore Westport’s lively traditional Irish music scene and numerous pubs. Ireland is a country where history is ever present in the landscape, and the lives of the Irish people. Our trip will allow us to explore both the romantic legends and harsh realities of the past. You will get a view of the land and the culture that comes with living it, not merely visiting it.

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.

Itinerary

September 7: U.S. – Shannon

Your journey to Ireland begins with an overnight flight from the U.S. to Shannon, Ireland.

September 8: Shannon – Hillcrest House, Westport

We will be met at Ireland’s Shannon International Airport and driven north to Westport, on the shores of Clew Bay. The first afternoon we can relax; perhaps enjoy conversation in the library. If we are feeling a bit energetic, we can capture the sunset by exploring the nearby countryside or climb the hill above Hillcrest House. (D)

September 9 - September 15: County Mayo

Each day we will visit some of these typical areas from our home base at Hillcrest House. There is no possible way to visit all of them, so our tour leader and guide will plan each day considering the interests of the group.

We often start each trip with a visit to 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 we will photograph the ruins of Moore Hall, a Georgian mansion destroyed during the war of independence. Later in the afternoon, we will photograph Castle Bourke, on the shores of Lough Carra.

Hillcrest House lays half way between the City of 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, we will drive to Murrisk Abbey, at the foot of Ireland's Holy Mountain, Croagh Patrick. Later in the day we will be at the ocean on the west coast of Mayo at a remote rocky shore called Barnabawn Point. Our 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.

Another day we will spend the morning photographing in and around the town of Cong. Photo locations include Ashford Castle, Cong Abbey, the forest and river, as well as the town itself. After lunch we will have the opportunity to photograph an area of rolling hill, sheep, and a myriad of stonewall, on a hillside flowing down to Lough Corrib. The picturesque village of Cong was the setting for John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara’s film The Quiet Man. The King of Connacht founded the abbey ruins in the twelfth century. In 1198 the last High King of Ireland died in the abbey.

Driving north, our first stop will be along the ocean on the Atlantic drive in Mulranny. After lunch on Achill Island, we will 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.

Visit one of the few remaining round towers in Ireland, Turlough, standing amid a field of ancient carved gravestones. Later photograph the glacial erratic boulders at Lough Cullin.

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

Burrishoole Abbey is a great place to start one of our days. Nearby is Carrigahowley Castle, one of the many strongholds of Grace O’Malley, the adventurous sixteenth century Pirate Queen. Later in the afternoon we visit Letterkeen Forest. (B, D every day)

September 16: Westport - Ennis

We will leave Hillcrest House early this morning, driving south to the Burren and County Clare, where we will spend the evening in Ennis. Ennis is a charming riverside town with colorful storefronts and narrow cobblestone streets. Tonight we will stay at the Temple Gate Hotel (or similar) in Ennis and enjoy dinner on our own. The hotel rests on the site of a nineteenth century convent. (B)

September 17: Ennis – Shannon – U.S.

After breakfast this morning, we will say good bye to our new friends in hopes of seeing them again some day, perhaps even at Hillcrest House. We board our afternoon flights for home. (B)

Accommodations

While in Ireland you will be treated to true Irish flavors at Hillcrest House, which was renovated for the sole purpose of accommodating groups. Its homelike quality adds to the relaxed atmosphere of the trip. 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 equipment.

Guides

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Food & Drink

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Pricing Info

Tour land cost: $3,195 US Dollars based upon minimum of 5 paying participants. All our program prices are based on double occupancy unless noted in exceptions.

Single room supplement: $345; single rooms are subject to availability and are not guaranteed. 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, or if we are unable to find a suitable roommate, you will be required to pay the supplement.

Note: The land costs on international tours is based upon current exchange rates. Although the rate has been relatively stable, should it change, there may need to be an adjustment in the land cost.

General Tour Info (includes, excludes and other details)