Strabo Photo Tour Collection

Ireland: The Healing Spirit of Ireland

This is an invitation to join accomplished and caring portrait photographer Connie Reider on an amazing journey, experiencing the Healing Spirit of Ireland. This trip is not only about photography, but also about photography as a metaphor to investigate the shadow and light of our lives.

Each morning we will look at the “word of the day” and focus on its personal meaning for each of us through photography, writing, music, and shared conversation. A shooting location will be selected to compliment each theme. For example, on the day of “COURAGE”, we will visit Carrigahowley Castle, one of the strongholds of Grace O’Malley, the adventurous 16th century Pirate Queen. On the day of “CHALLENGES”, we will first stop at the Famine Memorial and then wind our way to a deserted famine village, a remnant of the devastation of the Potato Famine of the 1850’s. On the day of “FAITH”, we will go to Sunday Mass at Ballintubber Abbey, the oldest abbey in Ireland where there has been continuous and uninterrupted prayer for centuries. Then we will experience “MAGIC” in Sheeffrey Woods dancing with the leprechauns, as Olcan Masterson, our magical Irish guide, plays us a tune on his tin whistle.

There will be time devoted to photographic techniques including light, composition, and depth of field. Portraiture is Connie’s specialty, and will be emphasized in the picture perfect town of Westport, as well as in different pubs, the heart of the Irish community. Evenings will be filled with critiquing images, delicious food, and long conversations of connection.

Each participant will develop both a personal and a photographic goal for the trip; Connie will be the coach to help actualize your intentions. It will be a 10 day journey of focusing outwardly as well as inwardly, of strengthening your creative muscle, of feeling the peaceful green energy of Ireland, of experiencing the contentedness of the Irish people, the magic of the leprechauns, the joy of new friendships and the spirit of possibility within yourself.

Itinerary

June 15 - June 15: U.S. - Shannon, Ireland

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

June 16: Shannon - Westport

You will be met early this morning 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)

June 17 - June 23: 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.

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.

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, at the foot of Croagh Patrick. Ireland’s Holy Mountain, named after the national saint, is one of Mayo’s best-known landmarks.

Another day we will spend the morning photographing in and around the town of Cong. Photo locations include Cong Abbey, the forest, and river, as well as the town itself. 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. 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.

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.

Today we visit one of the few remaining round towers in Ireland, Turlough, standing amid a field of ancient carved gravestones. Nearby is the new Museum of Country Life, one of Ireland’s National Museums, well worth the stop.

We photograph along the shores of Doo Lough and the Connemara Mountains, where we will see some of the most stunning landscapes in all of Ireland. After lunch in the town of Louisburgh, we will spend the afternoon photographing in the Sheeffrey Wood, 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.

We can spend an entire day in the old city of Galway. 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. (B,D)

June 24: Westport - Ennis

We will leave Hillcrest House early this morning, and drive to the Burren, a remote region near the town of Ennis. There are over seventy megalithic tombs in the region, the most well known being Poulnabrone.
Our last full day of exploring and photographing the wild landscapes of Ireland will be spent in this beautiful area. Tonight we will stay at the Temple Gate Hotel in Ennis, (or similar) and enjoy dinner on our own.

June 25: Ennis - Shannon - Home

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 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.

Guides

Please contact us for more details.

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)