We’re going to Ireland, folks and I can’t wait. This is a once in a life time trip that will see us taking on Dublin, to my family home town in Kilnaleck. From there, we’re off to Galway for the live music before finishing up with a tour up stunning West coast.
This trip is one of our most ambitious and wide ranging yet. We have a gorgeous home to enjoy in Dublin, a stunning hotel to saunter around in Kilnaleck and an extra beautiful home/semi mansion to look forward to in Galway. Throughout, we have our own bus and driver and in Kilnaleck we’re hosting what I’m going to describe as the first ever Guitar Social festival as occupy the village from which I came and its one solitary pub for a night of live music like no other.
Price: £950* this includes all workshops, transport, accommodation with morning breakfasts with the exception of the hotel in Kilnaleck where breakfast is paid for by the individual-otherwise, its a pot noodle in your hotel room-the coastal tour and a place on a holiday that you’re grandchildren’s grandchildren will be talking about when their describing their cool great great grandparents on a spaceship in about 100 years time.
*You can spread this cost over 12 months in 3 payments. If you are able to pay in full you will receive 20% off of your next Guitar Social course or 10% off of your next Guitar Social retreat. Email for further information.
Where you’ll sleep: In Dublin and Galway you will be in shared rooms. In Kilnaleck you will have your own room. People are matched empathetically on all Guitar Social retreats. For example, if you have a single bed in Dublin, you will probably have a double bed in Galway, and, if you’re 21 and female, you will be in a room with similar people. Likewise, if you’re 81 and male, you’ll be in a room with other such legends.
We spend very little time in our accommodation. We do workshops there in the morning and typically return home late. Furthermore, we only secure the very best of what is on offer in any given location with our accommodation. Where we stay is where most of the budget goes. The feedback on our choice of homes is always very high.
The reason The Guitar Social can do retreats all over the world at low prices is because people share, and, after ten years, you can be sure you will be secured in a bed a room that fits your needs.
The itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Dublin at 1pm and head to our sprawling city centre pad to drop off our bags, toast our arrival and then head out for some food. The late afternoon sees us back at the accommodation for a collective jam through some Irish standards, then, back out to catch some traditional live music at The Cobble Stone Pub and likely, many others.
Day 2 Chef Thomas is cooking up some Irish Bubble and Squeak for breakfast served with a workshop on Celtic Punk. Later, we will be heading to the Irish Rock and Roll Museum Experience*. The afternoon is for exploring Dublins street scene and shops and the evening is a pub crawl taking in four of the top ten Irish music pubs in central Dublin.
*Entrance is not included in the price.
Day Three- Kilnaleck- A mini Guitar Social festival in a one pub village
Day 3 We’ll be getting picked up in a private bus to take the two hour drive to our four star hotel in Kilnaleck which happens to be the village where some of my family are from.
After a 90 minute workshop on traditional Irish music in the conference room, lunch is served with a view over the lake. A quick Whiskey, and then its a mile walk down to the Village where our evenings festivities begin.
There’s just one pub in Kilnaleck and the whole village has been told we’re coming. I’ve hired a traditional band that welcomes audience participation. I played with them last November and had a blast. Some of my family will be there, including uncle Pete with his accordion, my second cousin the Elvis impersonator and a distant relative that as the seventh son of a seventh son has magical powers which sounds unlikely, but by all accounts, is probably true.
The night ends when the final song is played. I’m yet to figure out how we get back to hotel but I am gunning for a lift in a cart on the back of a tractor.
Day four and five- Kilnaleck to Galloway via the Cliffs of Moher, Burin with a stop in Doolin
Day 4 Breakfast and then back on the bus for a two hour lush and green journey to Galloway. After dropping off our bags and settling into our new home, lunch is at The Quay Street Kitchen followed by a walk around the Medieval end of town. The afternoon is reserved for drinks and songs at the accommodation. Later, we’re back out on the street to participate in some traditional pub jams.
Day 5 Early morning workshop on contemporary Irish music. Then, we’re heading out on a private tour of the cliffs of Moher and Burren. Our first stop is the majestic Dungaire Castle, which sits proudly over Galway Bay. We then roll through the Burren Region to arrive at the Allwee Cave. Once emerged and back in the light we will stand a while on the cliffs of Moher, and reflect on an incredible holiday. In the not too far distance, 30, 000 birds comprised of 20 different species singing songs just for you.
Lunch in Doolin before driving by the wild Atlantic way on our way home.
The evening is one final dash across Galloway City in search of live music.
