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).

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.