Ireland 2017
August 16 – 24 /2017
Photography / Plein-Air Painting Workshop
Taught by Scott Williams & Niki Gulley
Our previous adventure took us to England, so it seemed only fitting since we were so close that we should make an additional trek to Ireland. This Journey will take us from the epicenter of culture in Dublin, to the imposing Cliffs of Moher, through the colorful village of Adare and finishing at the Dingle Peninsula.
Dublin covers the spectrum of things to do and sights to see. Setting on the mouth of the Liffey, it is unprecedented as a two-cathedral city and is the heart and soul of Ireland. Spend your time while there walking the hallowed halls of Trinity college to see the book of Kells, admire their two medieval cathedrals, stroll across the Samuel Beckett Bridge or just stop in for a quick pint at Temple bar.
From there our move westward takes us to the port city of Galway, where we will have the opportunity to experience more of the celebrated Irish culture. A must see is the Long Walk, a row of multi-colored houses set along the harbor and no trip to the Emerald Isle would be complete without the spectacular Cliffs of Moher. The scale and grandeur of this magnificent natural wonder is truly breath taking.
Once more our merry band of travelers set out to comb the Irish countryside in search of visual wonders. One such stop along that route is the colorful village of Adare, with its many hued pubs, thatched roofed houses and castle ruins.
The final destination for the majority of our stay is fit for a king, literally! Again, finding unique lodging for us has manifested itself in the form of a converted 16th century castle. This 4 star accommodation is a one of a kind, with its suits of armor, ivy covered facade, rock hewed walls and timber ceilings will make you will feel like you stepped through a doorway into another era. If the setting and grounds don’t overwhelm you, the breakfast surely will. From the buffet of fresh pastries, jams, fruit, meats, cheeses and salmon, to the full menu of additional fare such as Eggs Benedict, this is a foodie’s delight!
Leaving our castle for the moment we venture forth to the town of Killarney and it is there that we find Muckross House. This 65 room Tudor estate with its 11,000 acres teeming with overflowing gardens, is an ideal setting for any artist. As if that weren’t enough, there are abbey ruins on the grounds as well as nearby waterfalls and just down the road is another photogenic spot, the 15th century Ross Castle set on the shore of Lough Leane. With a strategic location, its tower offered commanding views of the lake and it’s from here that we will enjoy a boat tour of some of Killarney’s beautiful lakes.
Last, but surely not least, is our day trip around the Dingle Peninsula! Set along the westernmost tip of Ireland, this rugged coast with its craggy cliffs, rolling hills dotted with sheep and long expanses of sandy beaches, offers a wide array of stunning backdrops. There are also castle ruins, mountain lakes, stone huts and cascading waterfalls to round out the amazing scenery. If you have ever dreamed of going to Ireland, this is the trip for you!
Niki will conduct the Plein-Air Painting Workshop from different picturesque locations daily, teaching through a combination of demos, discussions, assistance and critiques. Sessions will be broken into one half day outings of either morning or afternoon locations, with the other half day set aside for exploring the cultural side of the area. There will also be plenty of time in between for shopping, sightseeing or to dine al fresco for a leisurely lunch.
Scott will take the photographers on daily walking tours where you will have the opportunity to experience Ireland through your lens as Scott guides you to use your camera to define what you see while achieving your own artistic vision. As with the painters, there will be half day destinations, with time allowances for exploring on your own.
As with the painters, there will be daily destinations with time allowances for exploring on your own. There will also be valuable critique sessions throughout the workshop as time allows. This will give everyone an opportunity to discuss the day’s events, compare notes, ask questions and get a chance to know each other. It also presents a unique option to get views and perspectives from both painters and photographers.
So come join us as we take you on an inspirational exploration of Ireland with an emphasis on observation and perception as we help you develop your own style. Admission is limited to 12 participants, so we encourage you to enroll as soon as possible. There will also be space open for non-participating partners at reduced rates on a limited basis.
Work Shop includes:
- Roundtrip air fare, breakfast & all transfers
- Hotel for 7 nights. 2 in Dublin and 2 in Lahinch (Near the Cliffs of Moher) and 3 magnificent nights in a castle in Kerry (Double occupancy) (Accommodations are in shared rooms, although a few single rooms may be available at an extra fee)
- Side trips along the way to Adare, Cliffs of Moher, Killarney and the Dingle Peninsula.
- Admission to the Cliffs of Moher & Muckross House
- Boat cruise on the lakes of Killarney
- Emergency Medical Insurance.
- Instruction, guidance, experience and fun.
Your cost for all of this is $4,995 and to reserve a spot, simply send a completed application form (the forms will be provided by email upon request) along with your deposit of $1,500 per person. There also is a final application cut off date of 10/15/16. Prices after the cut off date are based on current airfare.
A second payment of one half of the remainder after deposit is due by Nov. 12th, with a final payment due by Jan. 14th. For those wanting a single occupancy room, there will be an additional cost of $750. We can take credit card payments, however it will incur a 3.5% fee.
There is a discount of $350 for partners wanting to accompany participants on the trip, but not take the workshop. We will also setup optional events/ classes when available at an additional cost for participants not interested in the painting/photography sessions. There has to be a minimum of 6 people for the workshop to make. If the 6 person minimum is not met by the 10/1/16 deadline, deposits will be refunded.
In the event of inclement weather, arrangements will be made for museum visits etc. There will be no rain dates or refunds for weather or travel difficulties, we suggest travel insurance for those situations.
Please let us know if you have any questions or if we can help you in any way and we hope that you will be able to join us!
Scott Williams 214-289-8512 / Niki Gulley 214-803-5812
Email Scott, photoguy@blind-squirrel.org if you are interested in joining us.