Strabo Photo Tour Collection

Ireland: Portraits of Western Ireland 2010

sponsored by Santa Fe Workshops

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.

Join accomplished photographer John Weiss through Western Ireland. John Weiss has been a photographer for over thirty years. He began at M.I.T. as an apprentice to Minor White, the legendary photographer and educator. Later, he earned his M.F.A. at the Rhode Island School of Design, where he studied with Harry Callanan and Aaron Siskind. Since 1975, he has been Professor of Art and Coordinator of Photography at the University of Delaware, where he has established his own record for excellence as both a maker of expressive images and as an educator. His graduate photography program won The Photo Review award for excellence in 2003. Numerous prominent public institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris, have collected Weiss’s photographs. In 2006, John won the Teacher of the Year award by the Santa Fe Photography Workshops.


An important element of your photographic experience is John's critique of your work and his presentations on making creative photographs. In addition to a personal one-on-one review session with John, he will offer two group critiques of the photographs you make while on tour. It's important that you have a laptop or some other storage device so you can access and download your images. For those shooting film, we suggest you bring a folio of up to 20 photographs (hard copy).

Itinerary

August 5: U.S. – Shannon

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

August 6: 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. After lunch we can relax, enjoying conversation in the library or explore the nearby countryside. Depending on the time of year there may be an opportunity for the group to photograph the sunset over Clew Bay. (D)

August 7 - August 13: Western Ireland

Each day we will visit some of these typical areas from our home base at Hillcrest House. It is not possible to see everything during each tour, as we also like to take time for unscheduled stops. Our guides will plan each day considering the interests of the group, and special events taking place during your time in Ireland. John’s groups have frequented such events as the Croagh Patrick pilgrimage, horse races at Ballinrobe, a cattle auction, open-air festivals, and the ‘Tour de Ireland’ bicycle race.

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 drive along the shores of Clew Bay, stopping at Murrisk Abbey, and the Famine Memorial standing at the foot of Croagh Patrick.

Driving north today, 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 given time, wind up at the deserted famine village at Keel. Achill Island is the largest island off the Irish coast. To get there, we will drive over the bridge at Achill Sound. Wrought by wind and water, the island is an arrangement of rock, cloud, and cliffs falling off to the sea.

We travel to the shores of Doo Lough and the Connemara Mountains, where we will see some of the most stunning landscapes in all of Ireland. This morning we photograph in Sheeffrey Woods, a place where we must be careful not to disturb the leprechauns who inhabit the forest. Afterwards we visit the town of Leenane, where we will have lunch with the residents, and have time for photographing in the small pub, known as Gaynor’s (film location of The Field).

Just outside Newport is Burrishoole Abbey, 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)

August 14: Westport-Galway-Ennis

We will leave Hillcrest House early this morning, driving south to County Clare, where we will spend the day in the city of Galway before having dinner and overnight Ennis. Winding streets of antique shops and art galleries will entice you as we view the city. You will find many handcrafted items such as traditional Irish sweaters, prints, and pottery, or shops filled with books or Irish music. Be sure to take at least one piece of Ireland home with you. Galway is a lively city that may even present you with dancers and musicians performing in the streets and alleyways. If it is boats you are looking for, the river nearby is lined with colorful examples to photograph. 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)

August 15: 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.

Accommodations

While in Ireland you will be treated to true Irish flavors at Hillcrest House, which was renovated for the sole purpose of accommodating photography groups. A computer is now provided to enhance digital instruction sessions. The Hillcrest House homelike quality adds to the relaxed atmosphere of the trip. You will enjoy traditional Irish breakfasts and dinners during your stay. 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. 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.

Guides

Please contact us for more details.

Food & Drink

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Pricing Info

Tour land cost: $3,495 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)