Strabo Photo Tour Collection

Ireland: Into The West, Discover the Magic and Beauty of Old Ireland

Photo Tour and Workshop

Lance Keimig will be working in conjunction with the New England School of Photography to bring you this special photo tour and workshop in Western Ireland. During this trip students will refine and develop their digital photography skills through lectures, critiques, and most importantly, one on one work with the instructor in the field during daily photo shoots. Students should have either taken NESOP’s beginning digital camera class, or have at least a basic familiarity with their DSLR camera’s functions and controls. Subjects covered will include developing good working habits for an efficient workflow, optimizing exposure for RAW capture, photographic composition, and an introduction to night photography. At the end of the trip, students will have a tightly edited portfolio of images, and will have the opportunity to contribute to a group portfolio that will be printed as a photo book.

Students should bring a DSLR camera with the capability to shoot raw files and manual mode, a tripod, and cable or remote release. A laptop computer with raw processing software is not required, but will be helpful for editing and developing photographs.

Lance Keimig is a Pembroke, Massachusetts based photographer who is best known for night photography of the built environment. His book on Night Photography will be published by Focal Press in May of 2010. Keimig is the curator of Darkness, Darkness, a traveling exhibit of Night Photography which was first shown at Harvard University in 2007.

He has taught at the New England School of Photography in Boston since 2000, and at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, The Photographic Resource Center at Boston University, and also leads workshops across the country. Keimig founded the Mono Lake Photo Workshops in 2003, and is also a cofounder of The Nocturnes Night Photography Workshops in San Francisco. Since 2001, Keimig has led photo tours to Ireland and Scotland.

His photographs are held in numerous collections including The Art Complex Museum in Duxbury, MA, The Boston Athenaeum, The Boston Public Library, The Grace Museum in Abilene, TX, State Street Bank, Fidelity Investments, Paramount Partners, Hitachi, Rayovac, 3 Com, and other corporate collections. Website: http:/www.thenightskye.com.

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. You will get a view of the land and the culture that comes with living it, not merely visiting it.

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.

Itinerary

July 16: U.S. – Shannon

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

July 17: 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; settle in to our home, and perhaps enjoy conversation in the library. If we are feeling a bit energetic, we can capture the sunset by exploring the nearby countryside. Lance will hold a group meeting this evening, outlining the week’s program.

July 18 - July 23: County Mayo

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. Groups have frequented such events as the horse races at Ballinrobe, a cattle auction, open-air festivals, and this year’s highlight was the ‘Tour de Ireland’ bicycle race. Optional trips to Westport in the evening provide a chance to spend time in traditional Irish pubs, with amazing musicians.

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.

The ocean drive on the Atlantic takes us through Mulranny on the way to Achill Island. 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. Given time we will continue photographing at the deserted famine village at Keel.

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. Photographing 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 that isn’t far from Hillcrest. Nearby is Carrigahowley Castle, one of the many strongholds of Grace O’Malley, the adventurous sixteenth century Pirate Queen. As an option, the group may decide to visit a remote island off the coast, taking a short boat ride to Clare Island. (Breakfast and Dinners while at Hillcrest House)

July 24: Westport – Shannon – U.S.

After an early breakfast this morning, we will depart Westport, traveling to Shannon Airport in time for afternoon flights home. If your airline flight schedule departs in the morning, it will be necessary to overnight closer to the airport the evening of July 24, with flight home July 25. Please contact our office with any questions or recommendations. (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. Feel free to bring your own laptop, or use the iMac at Hillcrest House. The Hillcrest House homelike quality adds to the relaxed atmosphere of the trip.

Guides

Please contact us for more details.

Food & Drink

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.

Pricing Info

Tour land cost: $2,995 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: $245; 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)