Ireland Performance Tour

Enjoy a masterclass or interactive performance by a traditional musician on a variety of instruments, including the tin whistle, flute, fiddle, uilleann pipes, and many others. Located in County Clare, the West Clare Music Makers Visitor Museum allows you to read firsthand accounts by the musicians of Ireland and enjoy an 8-minute film telling the story behind the music and the origin of instrument in the town that traditional Irish music is said to be founded.

Venture to the edge of Ireland at the Cliffs of Moher, where sheer rock faces rise 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Layers of sandstone and shale color the cliffs, while O’Brien’s Tower stands proudly at the summit, offering sweeping views. With waves crashing below and Ireland’s brilliant green landscape spilling toward the sea, this is one of the country’s most breathtaking natural wonders.

Discover Bunratty Castle, a formidable castle built in the 15th Century. It has been preserved to look just as it would have in the 1500s. A tour of the castle will include the Great Hall, Main Guard, and the South Solar. We will this visit the adjoining Folk Park, an authentic recreation of life in Ireland in the late 19th Century.

Get a feel for Ireland’s emerald beauty on an excursion around the Iveragh Peninsula on the panoramic coastal route, Ring of Kerry. Along the 112 miles of breathtaking views, you’ll spy 360 degrees of the vast Atlantic Ocean, the Lakes of Killarney, the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks (Ireland’s tallest mountains), and every shade of green known to the Emerald Isle.

Groups often enjoy performances at churches (some have restricted sacred repertoire, while others allow secular), temples, museums and cultural centers, significant historic sites, or through exchange concerts with local schools, universities, or community groups. Participating in a cultural or performing arts festival can also be a rewarding experience. For all performances, we work closely with each group to ensure the perfect venue to meet their vision. Speak with your WorldStrides representative about what options would be best for your group.

Stop for a visit to Blarney Castle, the medieval stone structure built on solid limestone around 1466. (The slivers of windows served as a defense, enabling Lord Blarney and his men to shoot arrows at invaders while staying protected from within.) Climb the spiral staircases to the top of the castle to kiss the Blarney stone. Legend promises that if you lean backwards and kiss the stone upside-down, you’ll be granted the “gift of the gab” (the privilege of babbling questionable commentary for seven years). Before you leave, wander the path to Rock Close to ponder the druidic circle of mystical stones. Enter Lord Blarney’s dungeon if you dare.

Your Masterclass is today! Your ensemble will attend a masterclass given by a university or college professor, or local expert. You can choose the area of focus or let the expert determine what skills on which they would like to focus.

Get a friendly introduction to Dublin with your Tour Director. Cross the Ha’Penny Bridge, stroll through the lively Temple Bar district, and stop at the Molly Malone statue. Along the way, see Georgian squares, castles, and cathedrals that showcase the character of Ireland’s capital.

Join a licensed guide to explore Dublin’s finest sights. Walk through Phoenix Park, Europe’s largest walled city park, home to red deer and the Phoenix Column. Visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where Ireland’s patron saint once baptized converts, and see O’Connell Street and Parnell Square. At Trinity College, Ireland’s oldest university, enter the Old Library’s Long Room to view the Book of Kells, an illuminated 9th-century manuscript of the four Gospels, famed for its intricate Celtic designs.

Get an authentic Irish dancing lesson in Dublin!

Board your flight home or choose to extend your trip with a two-day visit to Belfast. Experience the grandeur of the Grand Opera House, a masterpiece of Frank Matcham’s oriental-style architecture. Marvel at the natural wonder of the Giant’s Causeway and stroll across the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. Enjoy a choir performance at a culturally significant venue and participate in a lively Ceili evening with traditional Irish dancing and music.