YPO Performance Tour of Ireland

The itinerary is the starting point to your tour, but it’s not set in stone. Your group leader may make changes leading up to departure.

Day 1, Saturday June 21: Overnight Flight

Departure from the United States.

Day 2, Sunday June 22: Galway

Welcome to Ireland. Arrive at Dublin airport and meet your tour manager. Board the bus and transfer immediately into the beauty and greenery of the Emerald Isle. Continue to the hotel in Galway. Check in, freshen up, relax, and have a welcome dinner together at the hotel this evening. (D)

Day 3, Monday June 23: Galway

This morning, enjoy a full-day tour of Connemara's circuit. Tour the loop of Connemara via Oughterard & Maam Cross. This landscape is a mixture of rivers, lakes, woodlands, rich meadowlands, rugged hills, and dramatic mountains. As you near the coast, you'll stumble across a stunning unpolluted coastline of sandy beaches and blue waters. You will see a sheepdog demonstration at Glengowla Mines and Sheep Farm. Visit Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden. The story of Kylemore – both Castle and Abbey – is a truly remarkable one. The twists of fate its occupants experienced, from moments of romance and happiness to sadness and courage, have all combined to create a fascinating history spanning over 150 years. Kylemore is home to a community of nuns of the Benedictine Order who came here in 1920 after their abbey in Ypres, Belgium, was destroyed in World War I. Settling at Kylemore, the Benedictine Community opened a world-renowned boarding school for girls and began restoring the Abbey, Gothic Church, and Victorian Walled Garden to their former glory. Afterward, return to Galway, where you will have a joint concert and dinner! (B, D)

Day 4, Tuesday June 24: Cork

After breakfast, depart for the Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland’s favorite visitor experiences. The Cliffs of Moher tower over the rugged west Clare coast. Walk the safe, paved pathways, view the incredible Cliffs on Europe’s most westerly tip, and enjoy the spectacular Atlantic Ocean and Aran Islands vistas. Their natural beauty has inspired artists, musicians, and poets for generations, as well as absorbing scientists and geologists drawn by the unique landscape in which they sit. Then, visit Blarney Castle, built in 1446 as a defensive fortress. The castle that stands today is the house of a much larger fortress. All visitors should kiss the famous Blarney Stone, high up on the castle battlements. Tradition holds that those who kiss the Blarney Stone will be endowed with eloquence - “the gift of the gab,” as the locals call it. Check into your hotel for your dinner and overnight in Cork. (B, D)

Day 5, Wednesday June 25: Cork

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, which is included throughout your tour, before departing to Cobh. From 1848 to 1950, over 6 million adults and children emigrated from Ireland – over 2.5 million departed from Cobh, making it the single most important port of emigration. The Titanic and the Lusitania are just two of the many liners and ships that visited the historic port town of Cobh. The Heritage Centre traces the evolution of maritime traffic to and from Cobh, beginning with depictions of the early coffin ships and continuing to the latter-day luxurious transatlantic liners. This afternoon, you will rehearse and then have your second concert at the Cork School of Music or a similar venue. (B, D)

Day 6, Thursday June 26: Dublin

Today's excursion takes you to the Rock of Cashel, which served as the seat of kings and medieval bishops for 900 years until the early 17th century. Brian Ború was crowned King of Munster in 977 and later became the High King of Ireland in 1002. Next, you'll visit the Irish National Stud & Gardens, a thoroughbred horse breeding facility established in 1946 under the National Stud Act and owned by the Irish Government. The gardens, created from 1906 to 1910, are designed to symbolize a person's life and are renowned as the finest Japanese gardens in Europe. The Tully Walk is lined with the mares' paddocks, where mares and foals run freely in the lush green surroundings. Enjoy dinner and a traditional Irish music concert at the Merry Ploughboy in Dublin in the evening. (B, D)

Day 7, Friday June 27: Dublin

Explore Dublin today! Meet with a Local Step-On Guide for a panoramic sightseeing tour of Dublin, including O'Connell Street, Phoenix Park, Leinster House, Ha'penny Bridge, Georgian Houses, and Dublin Doors. Then visit the Book of Kells's new immersive digital experience and the Irish Emigration Museum. As you uncover the story of Irish emigrants and how they shaped the world, you'll realize that emigration is not about what people leave behind but what they bring. Your concert tonight will be at The Helix or a similar venue. (B, D)

Day 8, Saturday June 28: Departure

Transfer to the airport for return flight to the United States. (B)