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Go into Ireland: a land of song and story, lush green landscapes, fascinating history, and incredible art and literature. As you travel, dive into the history of each site and learn more during lectures by CAU's Kate McCullough. You will enjoy full logistical support by an expert Tour Director throughout your journey.

From the bustling cities of Dublin and Belfast to the sweeping northwest of Sligo and Mayo Counties to Derry and the Aran Islands, let Ireland’s landscapes, literature, and legends enfold you in a tale of wonder and discovery—a journey that sings with the lyrical beauty of the Emerald Isle.

Marvel over the Book of Kells, its medieval artistry glowing from the pages | Get your hands into the Irish soda bread dough at Tracey's Farmhouse | Dance the evening away to traditional Irish tunes | Get awestruck at the Cliffs of Moher | Go behind the scenes at Ireland's first eco-distillery | And so much more!

Throughout your journey, enjoy staying in properties that reflect the character of Ireland with a luxurious flair, including the iconic Davenport Hotel in the heart of Georgian Dublin; Belfast's Europa Hotel, where you can savor a cocktail in the piano bar lounge; and Dunboyne Castle Hotel, situated on a luxury estate in the lush countryside of County Meath.

Whether this will be your first time to "The Island of Saints and Scholars," or you're revisiting treasured landscapes, the heartbeat of the traditional Celtic bodhrán drum is calling you to the dance. Don't miss your chance to register for this exclusive to CAU Study Tour limited to just 30 participants.

Kate McCullough is an associate professor of Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and English at Cornell University. She holds an M.A. in Anglo-Irish Literature and Drama from University College Dublin (1984). A former resident and frequent returner to Ireland, Kate has a deep expertise and research background in the country's history as it intertwines with poetry, politics, mythology, and the Irish women's movement. (She can also school you on how to track down the best "trad session"—a casual and sometimes impromptu gathering of musicians playing traditional Irish music.) You'll want to take notes during Kate's lectures throughout the tour, but you'll also enjoy the spontaneous conversations peppered with personal stories from her life in Dublin.

Pack your bags and depart for an overnight flight to Dublin.

(Meals aloft)

Starting with a panoramic tour of Dublin City, take in the iconic sites along the River Liffey, explore the main thoroughfare, O’Connell Street, as well as the vibrant Grafton Street with its high-quality shops. Stroll through Merrion Square, where you can spot Oscar Wilde’s house adorned with its famous colorful doors. Then, head to the 800-year old St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Later in the afternoon, check into the iconic Davenport Hotel and gather for a welcome dinner reception, enjoying food and drinks as you get to know your small group.

(Meals included: Dinner)

This morning, visit the Museum of Literature Ireland to see the very first copy of James Joyce's Ulysses, along with his handwritten notebooks. Enjoy an exclusive guided tour and a book club interview with a local Irish author. Head to lunch at a local pub and then it's off to the General Post Office Museum, site of the 1916 Easter Rising that transformed modern Irish history. In the evening, dinner is on your own in the city. Your Tour Director can provide recommendations or you can enjoy the fun of discovery.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch)

Today, take a captivating tour of Trinity College, Ireland’s venerable university founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I. Marvel at the exquisite Book of Kells, a dazzling example of medieval artistry. After the visit, enjoy leisure time to explore Dublin, including the lively Temple Bar neighborhood. An evening lecture by Professor Kate McCullough will be followed by dinner and traditional music at The Merry Ploughboy Pub.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner)

En route to Belfast, (about a two-hour coach ride) experience a hands-on baking demonstration at a family home in County Down, followed by a sampling of traditional Irish foods at a farmhouse lunch. After arriving in Belfast, enjoy a comprehensive tour of the city, including landmarks such as the leaning Albert Memorial Clock Tower and the historic Opera House. Lastly, visit Shankill and Falls Roads to deepen your understanding of the history of Belfast’s Troubles, a conflict that lasted for about 30 years from the late 1960s to 1998. Dinner is on your own tonight in Belfast. Meet up in the Europa Hotel piano bar afterwards to share your discoveries!

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch)

This morning, visit the Seamus Heaney HomePlace for an inspiring journey through the life and work of one of Ireland’s greatest writers where you will also enjoy a lecture by Professor McCullough. Then, set out to Giant's Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage site that consists of 40,000 basalt polygonal columns formed 60 million years ago after a volcanic eruption—and which Irish tales say are the stepping stones for local giant Finn McCool. After that, it's on to Derry where you'll check into the modern and luxurious Ebrington Hotel.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner)

This morning, enjoy a walking tour of Derry City, the only remaining completely walled city in Ireland. These famous walls date back to the early 17th century, and walking atop them offers fine views of the historic city. The walking tour is followed by a visit to the Museum of Free Derry. Enjoy lunch at a local pub then journey to County Sligo, where you’ll spend the next two nights at the stunningly designed Glasshouse Hotel surrounded by the breathtaking scenery that inspired Yeats.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch)

Today, take a comprehensive tour of Yeats Country led by an expert with a lifelong passion for the Yeats family. Visit Glencar Waterfall, renowned thanks to W.B. Yeats’s poem, "The Stolen Child." Next, onto Drumcliffe Cemetery where W.B. Yeats is buried. In Sligo Town, explore various buildings associated with Yeats and admire the Yeats Sculpture, deepening the connection to this captivating region.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner)

Before leaving Sligo, visit Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery, with over 60 stone circles and passage tombs between 5,500 and 6,500 years old. En route to Galway, stop at the National Museum of Country Life in Castlebar, County Mayo, where the National Folklife Collection offers a fascinating insight into Irish country life between 1850 and 1950. This evening, check out the heated hydrotherapy pool and other amenities at the Salthill Hotel, just steps away from the beach on Galway Bay.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner)

This morning, en route to the Burren and Cliffs of Moher, visit Coole Park, a complex and rare wetland system with underground rivers that also served as the heart of the Irish Literary Revival in the early 20th century. Continue to the Cliffs of Moher, on Ireland's west coast, standing 230 meters above the ocean at their highest point. Looking out from this dizzying height on a clear day, you can see the Aran Islands out to sea, the Galway Mountains in the north, the Dingle Peninsula, and Brandon Mountain to the south. After a local lunch, we’ll return to Galway.  Today, Professor Kate McCullough will enrich our day with a lecture at The Mick Lally Theatre.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch)

This morning, depart by ferry for the smallest of the three Aran Islands, Inis Oirr. Participate in a workshop where an islander tells you about her life on Inis Oirr, the history and traditions of women, and their part in island life. Afterwards, enjoy free time on our own to discover this unique place before returning to Galway.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner)

This morning, head back to Dublin with a fun stop at Ahascragh Distillery, Ireland's first zero-energy emissions distillery. Learn about whiskey and gin production from grain to glass. Meet with the distillery's founders and sample their offerings. You may choose to lunch at the Distiller's Old Mill Cafe. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at the award-winning restaurant in the exquisite Dunboyne Castle Hotel in Meath, where you will spend your last night of the tour.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner)

This morning, transfer to Dublin Airport for your return flight home to the U.S.

(Meals included: Breakfast)

June 5 - 17, 2025
To reserve your space, contact CAU partner, Royal Adventures
Phone: 800-453-4754 |  Email: info@royaladventures.com

Download the Brochure   |    Register Online

June 12 - 19, 2025
Study Tour featuring CAU Summer's dynamic duo, David and Jen Todd.

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