Sessions from the Hearth

Everybody needs an elixir of life. For the followers of traditional music it's the session! That exciting event that pulls people together and binds them with an invisible force. A good session generates its own energy, a resonance that fills the void of time space, a sacred rite of rhythm and rhyme which allows the soul to free itself from the fetters of mediocrity. Each participant becomes suspended on a wave of musical emotion, savouring every note and nuance.

In developing the TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC PUB TOUR, Benny and his performers have joined forces with O'Mara Travel to give you the unique opportunity of experiencing Ireland, its music and customs at its best.

Itinerary & Pricing

Day 1 - Dublin's Fair City - Sunday

Welcome to Ireland where at 2pm you will have lunch and experience your first traditional Irish music session in the Caf Bar of Chief ONeillls Hotel. Chief ONeillls Hotel is located in Smithfield Village in the heart of old Dublin, where, since medieval times horse and cattle fairs have been held and is dedicated to an Irish emigrant who became captain of the Chicago Police Force and who was also regarded as one of the worlds premier collectors of traditional Irish music.  During the afternoon (and at your leisure) visit Ceol The Traditional Irish Music Centre (which is part of the Chief ONeillls Complex) a unique interactive visitor centre that celebrates the living story of Irish traditional music, song and dance, its roots, its energy and its personalities.
Option: Visit the Old Jameson Distillery, which is located next to your hotel in Smithfield Village, for what is almost like a tour of a working distillery, where you can follow the fascinating craft of whiskey making through the different stages from grain intake to malting, mashing, fermentation, distillation, maturation and bottling. The tour culminates in the Jameson bar for a traditional Irish whiskey tasting session. This evening is free to join some of the many traditional Irish music sessions in the nearby Temple Bar district.
Overnight: Chief ONeillls Hotel, Smithfield Village, Dublin 7 - or similar

Day 2 - Dublin City Tour & Galway City - Monday

This morning we take a short panoramic tour of Dublin City, which traces its origins back to Viking Times - evidence of which can be seen as you travel its inner city streets. This 1000 year old city boasts many fine Church and. Cathedral buildings, Art Galleries, Museums and historic buildings, but it is renowned for its splendid Georgian Squares and inner city parklands, all of which can be enjoyed during your tour. Leave the city at mid-day and travel across the central plains of Ireland to Galway, called the City of the Tribes after the fourteen most prominent families in this area. Galway long traded with Spain and the Spanish influences are many in the city. Of note is Spanish Arch, a gateway in the old city walls and the Spanish Parade, where wealthy merchants and their families enjoyed a stroll along the promenade. Following a short panoramic tour of Galway, check into your city centre hotel. The remainder of the day is free to discover this lively University City. Tonight we attend an Irish music session in a Galway city pub dinner not included.
Overnight:
Imperial Hotel, Eyre Square, Galway - or similar

Day 3 Connemara - Tuesday

Today embark on a tour of the wild and rugged Connemara region, famous for the savage beauty of its lake and mountain scenery. Pass through the village of Oughterard, known as the Connemara gateway, before traveling on to the magnificent Kylemore Abbey - a beautiful mansion in a lakeside setting against a mountainous backdrop. Irish Benedictine nuns, with a tradition of over 300 years, run this unique Abbey set in the heart of Connemara, overlooking Pollacapul Lake. A haven of peace! Visit the magnificent Gothic Church. See the Abbey pottery being handcrafted. Continue on to the pretty hillside village of Clifden before arriving in Roundstone to visit Roundstone Musical Instruments, housed in the former Franciscan monastery and watch as the master-craftsmen hand-fashion bodhrns (traditional one-sided drums) from goatskins. Tonight we attend an Irish music session in a Galway city pub dinner not included.
Overnight:
Imperial Hotel, Eyre Square, Galway - or similar

Day 4 - Cliffs of Moher & Dingle - Wednesday

Leave Galway today and drive south through the strange lunar landscape of the Burren region, a limestone karst with a wealth of rare flora and archaeological sites before arriving at the Cliffs of Moher. These impressive cliffs rise to a height of 700 feet above the sea and stretch for a distance of about 5 miles along the coast. Stop in the heritage town of Kilrush before taking a ferry to cross Irelands longest river, the River Shannon and continue through Listowel and Tralee before arriving in Dingle, on the western tip of the Dingle Peninsula, our home for the next two nights. Tonight we will have a great session of traditional music and set dancing in An Droichead Beag Pub in Dingle.
Overnight: Benners Hotel, Dingle, Co. Kerry - or similar

Day 5 - Dingle Peninsula - Thursday

This morning the breathtaking landscape will unfold in front of our eyes as we drive around the Dingle Peninsula before arriving in Dunquin, on the westernmost tip of the peninsula, to visit the Blasket Centre. Here you will discover what life was like on the remote Blasket Islands. This living history museum explores all the dimensions of island living, from the land, the sea, and the language, to the weather and the seasons, as well as the distinctive character of the Blasket Islanders. Later today we visit Tralee, the principal town of Kerry and visit Kerry the Kingdom. This includes a photographic exhibition, a collection of artifacts of Kerry origin and Geraldine Tralee where you will be transported in a time car to 1450. We return to Dingle stopping at the Railway Inn in Camp where you may hear its singing dog perform. Tonight we will have a great session of traditional music in a local Dingle pub.
Overnight: Benners Hotel, Dingle, Co. Kerry - or similar

Day 6 - Tralee & Dublin - Friday

Leaving Dingle, this morning, we commence our journey eastward to Dublin, through Adare and Limerick and arriving mid to late afternoon. In Dublin we transfer to our hotel in Dublins left-bank district of Temple Bar. The tour finishes with Gala Farewell Evening and traditional Irish ballad and Irish dancing dinner show at Taylors Three Rock Pub, which is located on the outskirts of the city.
Overnight: Chief ONeillls Hotel, Smithfield Village, Dublin 7 - or similar

Day 7: Dublin Airport & Home - Saturday

Departure and transfer to Dublin Airport at own expense.

Departure Dates:

June 19th, July 15th, August 19th,
September 16th, October 14th.

Prices per person - 2001

Included in price:

• Sightseeing by luxury coach (size depends on number of participants) throughout the tour
• Overall management of the music or session content of the programme by Benny OCarroll who produced and directed the Sessions From The Hearth album
• Sessions from the Hearth CD
• First class hotel accommodation, as indicated, based on sharing twin/double rooms with private bath or shower for 6 nights
• Six full Irish breakfasts
• Welcome lunch and traditional Irish music session at the Caf Bar in Chief ONeillls Hotel
• Table dhte dinners in Benners Hotel, Dingle
• Farewell Dinner and Traditional Irish Music Show at Taylors Three Rock Pub
• Visits and admissions to Ceol The Traditional Irish Music Centre, Kylemore Abbey, Roundstone Musical Instruments, Cliffs Of Moher, The Blasket Centre and Kerry The Kingdom
• Shannon ferry crossing between Kilimer and Tarbert
• Evening music sessions Galway (2 nights) and Dingle (2 nights). These sessions will take place in pubs in both locations.
• Hotel service charges and tips for baggage handling and to hotel personnel
• Prices based on a minimum of 20 participants

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