Why this route
A short, affordable first tour abroad: cathedral concerts in Dublin and Galway, a medieval town, the Ring of Kerry, and audiences who sing back.
- Dublin
- Kilkenny
- Killarney
- Galway
Two nights in Dublin include a concert in one of the city's cathedrals and a visit to Trinity College. The coach heads south to Kilkenny for a concert in the medieval town, then west to Killarney and the Ring of Kerry, before finishing with two nights in Galway and a farewell concert followed by a traditional music evening.
Ireland is the route for a first tour or a tight budget: direct flights from the East Coast, English-speaking, six nights, and venues that treat a visiting school ensemble as an event.
Sample itinerary
Day by day, 8 days
-
1
Day 1Overnight flight from the US to Dublin
Travel day
-
2
Day 2Arrive Dublin. Trinity College and the Book of Kells, welcome dinner
-
3
Day 3Dublin: guided city day. Concert 1 in a cathedral
Performance
-
4
Day 4Coach to Kilkenny. Castle and medieval mile. Concert 2
Performance
-
5
Day 5Coach to Killarney via the Rock of Cashel. National Park evening
Travel day
-
6
Day 6Ring of Kerry day. Coach to Galway
-
7
Day 7Galway: Concert 3 and traditional music evening. Farewell dinner
Performance
-
8
Day 8Fly home from Dublin or Shannon
Travel day
Order of cities, length of stay and excursions are adjusted to your group. Directors usually add or remove one to two days.
Price and inclusions
From $3,290 per person
Per person, land only, based on 40 paying travelers and spring 2027 departures. Airfare quoted separately or included on request.
Included
- Hotels: central 3 and 4 star, twin or triple rooms for students, singles for directors
- Private touring coach for the full program, with instrument and luggage space
- Breakfast daily, dinners as listed, welcome and farewell dinners
- All performance venues, fees, piano and percussion hire where listed
- Guided visits and entrance tickets as listed in the itinerary
- Hollis Ridge tour manager with the group from arrival to departure
- One complimentary place per ten paying travelers
- Pre-departure planning kit, parent meeting support, 24-hour emergency line
Not included
- International airfare (quoted separately or included on request)
- Lunches and drinks not listed
- Travel insurance (available through our group policy)
- Passport fees, personal spending, gratuities for drivers and guides