Ireland is a region that is known for its traditional music and dance as well as ancient prehistoric megaliths– both can be found throughout the country. Spend 10 days traveling through Ireland and learning about traditional music and dance, history, and culture of the “Emerald Isle.” By day, we will explore big rocks, cultural sites, and scenery (involving a few optional moderate hikes), and in the evenings, we will enjoy traditional music and dance. Your host is Phil Jamison, the renowned dance caller, old-time musician, and flatfoot dancer (and a longtime faculty member of Warren Wilson College). Fellow musicians are welcome, but musicianship is not a prerequisite for this trip.
Begin your journey with two days and nights in Dublin, visiting cultural sites such as the National Museum of Ireland and the Book of Kells at Trinity College. In the evenings, revel in the pubs of Dublin with musical performances and dancing. From Dublin, the group will travel by private coach to County Donegal, a beautiful mountainous county in Northwestern Ireland. Owing to its scenic landscape and "world-class wilderness,” Donegal was named National Geographic’s "Coolest place on the Planet" in 2017. The county was also ranked the 4th best region in the world by Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel series for 2024, which called Donegal "purely wild with a big heart.” In Donegal the group will stay for two nights in historic Donegal Town, at a lovely centrally located lodge called Donegal House. By day, the group will visit breathtaking historical sites and megaliths, including the Ulster-American Folk Park in Omagh. Evenings will be spent enjoying music sessions, and visiting with musicians with whom Phil Jamison has built enduring musical bonds. From Donegal, the group will travel by private coach to County Clare, where they will stay for five nights in Ennis where you will enjoy the 50th annual Fleadh Nua Festival, a traditional Irish music and dance festival that is full to the brim with concerts, Ceilis, sessions, recitals, Sean-Nós dancing and street entertainment. The group will also do some day trips in County Clare including visiting Kilfenora Vistiors’ Center, Caherconnell, the Burren, Newtown Castle, the Cliffs of Mohar, and a ferry trip to the island of Inishmore to visit Dun Aengus (a prehistoric stone fort). The trip will conclude with breakfast in Ennis and travel back to Dublin where folks can plan to either fly home or continue their travels independently
The course fee includes all activities, accommodation, transportation, and most meals while in Ireland. Airfare is not included. Included in the course is an optional half-day orientation with Phil Jamison on the beautiful campus of Warren Wilson College in Asheville, NC. For those traveling from elsewhere, there is the option to join this orientation virtually before meeting the group in Ireland. In addition to a robust program of planned activities, there will be ample free time for participants to explore their own interests and unwind.
Activity levels will be moderate, with considerable walking each day (up to three miles). Some hiking will also be included, with alternative options for those who aren’t interested. Please think carefully about your level of fitness and whether or not this will be realistic for you prior to committing. Group size will be limited to 15 participants, and the spots are first come first serve. To reserve your spot, a deposit of $500 will need to be made by check. After registering, you’ll receive an invoice for the deposit along with instructions for where to mail your check.