The Land of Saints and Scholars: For Faculty and Friends
Welcome to Ireland 2026! Ireland is a particularly inspiring place for developing creative skills across the arts. From world-class writers to vistas worthy of any canvas, Ireland never ceases to amaze. This is a private trip open to CSM staff and faculty and their immediate family. All participants must be over the age of fifteen. If you are interested in the travel-study program, please click here.
Dates: May 17th to May 27th
This travel experience is $3900 plus airfare per person, based on double occupancy. There are no single supplements available on this travel experience. Arrangements for a payment plan can be made
Dublin: Days 1-4
Day One
Touchdown Dublin! We’ll meet you right outside baggage claim and get you into Dublin to start the day. We’ll start the day with a walking tour to shake off some of that jet lag. Once you’ve settled in, we’ll be sure to enjoy the evening with our signature welcome dinner.
Day Three
This morning, we are headed to the epicenter of the literary set, the Dublin Writers’ Centre. After your dedicated workshop time and lunch, we’ll enjoy one of the premier art installations in Europe, the National Gallery. We’ll finish out our day with a Dublin favorite: The Dublin Writers’ Walking Tour, a true celebration of your love of the Irish word.
Day Two
We are starting off with a morning visit to one of the most critical moments in modern Irish History: Kilmainham Gaol. Here, we’ll learn a little about how the Irish Republic was a hard-won battle. After your dedicated workshop time, we’ll find ourselves on Grafton Street, the spine of the city.
Day Four
Today, we will start at one of Dublin’s newest attractions, the multi-media and immersive EPIC Immigration Experience. Here, you can learn about the Irish experience on a global level. Who knows, you may even find a little connection of your own. After lunch, we’re headed north to Belfast by train for the second leg of our experience.
Ballycastle via Belfast: Days 5-8
Day Five
We’re on the northern coast of Northern Ireland, looking out over the Irish Sea! So many Irish writers have found their inspiration through nature, and today, we’ll visit one of those places: Rathlin Island. Here, we’ll be inspired by the amazing vistas and stoic life that mold the Irish spirit.
Day Seven
Derrytown is about two hours away from where we are staying, and it’s a great place to discover so much more of the Irish story. Today, we’ll enjoy a guided tour and tour the walls of one of the last towns in Europe to still have a complete medieval wall completely intact.
Day Six
Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Bridge are two of the most famous stops along the Northern Coast, and today we take them both on! Weather and time permitting, we will enjoy the beauty of the sea and check in on another favorite: Dunluce Castle.
Day Eight
Today, we will start one of the most interesting and heartbreaking chapters of the Irish experience. We head to Belfast to learn more about the “troubles” as we take a Black Taxi Tour. Who knows, you may even find a little connection of your own. After lunch, we’re headed south to where it all began! Dublin still has more to offer.
Dublin: Days 9-10
Day Nine
The Heritage Centre at Dalkey Castle awaits our arrival this morning. Here, we’ll learn more about how the arts and letters of Ireland have influenced so much.
Day Ten
Depending on the time, we’ll tour either the Museum of Literature or the National Library. In the afternoon, we’ll have lots of free time for those last-minute pictures and souvenirs to help you remember your time here in Ireland.
Departure Day
After breakfast and checkout, participants will leave for Dublin Airport, where travelers will clear customs and board flights home to Dulles.
Accommodations
- Radisson Blu Accommodations
- Corrymeela Community Campus
Air and Insurance
- Our company works with World Nomad Insurance to provide trip insurance to anyone under the age of 70. Participants whose birthdate is more senior to this cutoff can utilize Allianz through our dedicated air travel service, Traveland.
- Due to the common use of points, miles, and credit card incentives, we do not include air in our travel packages. However, we will guide you through the process of securing your Air travel or refer you to our air expert, Oded, at Traveland, (203)814-3500.
What’s Included
BREAKFAST AT OUR HOTELS AND DINNERS DAILY.
BALANCE BETWEEN SCHEDULED EXPERIENCES AND UNSCHEDULED TIME TO EXPLORE FURTHER OR RELAX AS YOU CHOOSE.
ALL ATTRACTION TICKETS AND PASSES FOR EXPERIENCES AND GUIDED TOURS AND ALWAYS WITH LOCAL EXPERTS.
ALL GROUND TRANSPORTATION, INCLUDING AIRPORT TRANSFERS UPON ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE.
EFFICIENT TRAVEL TIME BY BASING OUR TRAVEL NEEDS WITH A MIX OF PRIVATE TRANSFER, TRAIN, AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
ACCESS TO OUR TOUR COORDINATOR TO TAKE CARE OF TRAVEL NEEDS AND URGENT TASKS.
Our Commitment:
As we get to know you, we’ll be able to find those little corners of Europe that delight and enchant. From magical bookstores to fabled artworks to secret passageways, we’ll share with you those little things that make Ireland’s amazing cities the experience of a lifetime.