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Specialty
Tours
At the Hidden Ireland Tours, our experience, diverse interests
- and imagination await the opportunity to create your personalised
vacation, incentive or conference trip to Ireland
We love nothing more than creating a “special interest” trip,
such as these listed below and we can incorporate a diverse range
of activities or studies into your time in Ireland.
Ireland Painting or Photography Tours
If your group is interested in painting or photography, we can
arrange a week-long workshop. Over the years, we have worked with
artists
and photographers to provide the opportunity to learn and play
in the unique light of Ireland and interact with the powerful inspiration
of the area's nature and culture.
  
Left: 'The Lobster Pots', by Liam O'Neill. Right: A stormy
day at Valentia Island, County Kerry (Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan).
Ireland Cooking Tours
We can plan a food tour beginning at the world renowned, Ballymaloe International
Cookery School on the south coast with dynamic instruction from the Darina Allen-led
team of cooks and chefs. Then, it’s westwards into the heart of the region
known as West Cork and the Slow Food culture of Ireland to the Good Things Café Cookery
School on the Sheep’s Head Peninsula. And along the way, we take the time
to explore the incredible culture of the area.
 
Ballymaloe International Cookery School.
Ireland Golfing Tours
Ireland is home to some of the finest links and parkland golf course in the world – as
well being the home of current world champions; Clarke, Harrington, McIlroy and
McDowell. Let us plan your golf trip to Ireland – and we will also entertain
the non-golfers in your party. The magnificent Ballybunion, Lahinch, Waterville
- to name but just a few of Ireland’s famous courses are guaranteed to
provide memorable rounds.
And a round or two of golf can be added to any Hidden Ireland trip.
 
Left: Killarney Golf & Fishing Club, host venue for the 2010 and 2011 Irish
Open Golf Championships. Right: Ballybunion, Kerry's classic links course.
Ireland Fishing Tours
On this small island of ours, the fishing is superb! We know where to find the
catch of the day, from fly-fishing for trout and salmon on a tranquil stream
or mountain lake to surf-casting from wild Atlantic beaches. Our fishing weeks
are spent at dedicated fishing lodges throughout Ireland with activities other
than angling also available. Fishing for a day or more can be included on any
of our trips.
 
Fly-fishing amidst the wilds of Connemara on Lough Inagh.
Lough Inagh Lodge, Connemara, County Galway the ideal base for some of Ireland’s
finest, river and lake trout and salmon fishing and close to great sea-angling
too. (Photos: Valerie O'Sullivan).
Fine Houses, Antiques & Gardens of Ireland Tours
If your interests include Ireland’s historic architecture including Georgian
homes and Palladian mansions, antiques or gardens, let us know and we will plan
a tour to introduce you to Ireland's "big houses" in the company of
their owners and conservationists.
 
Castletown House, Kildare
Irish Literary tours
Explore with us aspects of Ireland's literary heritage and it’s unique
place in the world. From the pre-Christian oral traditions and mythologies, to
the earliest Irish manuscripts to the works of Joyce, Yeats and others. We can
build a tour concentrating on your literary interests while also enjoying other
elements of Ireland.
 
Left: Book of Kells, 8th century illuminated gospel book.
Right: W. B. Yeats.
Ireland Spiritual Pilgrimages
Spiritual pilgrimage is deeply enshrined in the Irish tradition and Ireland’s
holiest places encapsulate aspects of it’s pagan past and Christianity.
At The Hidden Ireland Tours, we are deeply aware of this richness in our culture
and each year, we work with spiritual leaders and teachers in creating special
pilgrimages. If you are interested in participating in a planned pilgrimage or
creating one of your own, contact us.
 
Left: Croagh Patrick, Ireland's holy mountain since the Stone ages.
Right: Gallarus Oratory, Dingle Peninsula, an 8th century chapel on the Cosán
na Naomh/Way of the Saints.
Irish Birds & Wildlife Tours
Ireland is home to some of the world’s biggest sea-bird colonies. These
include puffins, gannets and petrels, located on some of Europe’s wildest
coastlines and islands which we explore with noted ornithologists. In the company
of other naturalists, these trips experience the Ireland’s natural history
and can be tailored to suit the special interests of your group.
 
Left: Puffin, Skellig Michael, County Kerry. Right: White-tailed Sea Eagle,
Killarney National Park (Photo: Valerie O Sullivan).
Irish Genealogy Tours
Over the years, we have had the pleasure of helping people re-connect with their
heritage in Ireland. This can be the focus of a dedicated trip or a feature of
any tour we operate.
 
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