Oratraio Society Tour

Day 1

Arrive Shannon. Travel up through the countryside made famous by Lady Gregory & W.B.Yeats. Refreshments at the Irish Literary Centre in the stables beside the site of Lady Gregory's old house, Coole Park. Check into the

Galway Radisson SAS Hotel

Located overlooking Lough Atalia, the Galway Radisson SAS Hotel & Spa is a few steps away from Eyre Square and the main shopping streets. Restaurant Marinas specialises in seafood and international cuisine. The Atrium Bar and Lounge serves a selection of light meals. Ireland's most exclusive Spa 'spirit one spa' offers many unique heat, steam and relaxation facilities. Dinner in the hotel.

Spend the morning exploring Galway City. A private lunch at Ross Castle, once the home of Violet Martin, the Ross of the novellist duo Somerville and Ross. An opportunity to perform this evening at St Augustine's Church, Galway

The renowned historian James Hardiman laid the foundation stone of the present St. Augustine church in August 1855. This neo-gothic church took four years to build and eventually opened its doors in September 1859. As you enter the church the Augustinian crest can be seen on the mosaic floor. It reads, in Latin, "Tolle Lege" which means "Take up and Read", and comes from a discussion with St. Augustine after he read Paul's letter to the Romans. Oak panelling surrounds the high altar and dates from 1855, although some alterations were made in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The tabernacle was enshrined and the stained glass window over the main altar was replaced. The ceiling was also reconstructed with cedar wood, although the ancient roof supports still remain. The organ is a magnificent focal point; it was constructed and installed by the famous Dublin organ builder, William Telford in 1868. Dinner in the hotel.

A day to explore Cong, where the John Forde movie The Quiet Man was filmed, and visit the Medieval Ballintubber Abbey. Lunch in the 18th century harbour town of Westport and then return to Galway. Dinner at the village pub of Boluisce in Spiddal.

The new 4**** de luxe Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel is the most extensive hotel in the city, ideally situated just off the High Street with Kilkenny Castle on its doorstep. Complete with 118 of the largest bedrooms in Kilkenny, fully equipped leisure centre with 21 metre swimming pool & 2 award winning restaurants.

The morning to explore the Kilkenny Crafts Trail through the villages of Bennetsbridge, Thomastown and Inistioge, visiting studios that supply stores such as Nieman Marcus & Bloomingdales with Crystal, Leather Goods, Pottery & Woollens. Lunch in a wayside pub. Return to Kilkenny to perform at Kilkenny Castle. Pub supper at Langtons, a charming medieval pub.

Tour to Waterford to visit the Crystal Factory. Lunch at leisure in Waterford. An opportunity to perform in the Theatre Royal or The Cathedral. Return to Kilkenny for dinner in hotel.

Leave Kilkenny mid morning and travel through Carlow to Dublin. Lunch at Tulfarris House followed by a visit to Russborough House, home of Sir Alfred Beit's amazing art collection. Check into

The Camden Court Hotel is situated in the heart of Dublin within a 5 minute walk of Grafton Street. The hotel comprises 246 well-appointed bedrooms all en suite with hairdryer, direct dial phone, colour TV, trouser press and tea/coffee making facilities. We also provide excellent conference facilities, restaurant and themed bar. Our state of the art leisure centre consists of a 16m swimming pool, sauna, steamroom, jacuzzi and a fully equipped gym. Dinner in the hotel.

A tour of Dublin visit the Jameson Whiskey distillery for lunch. Visit to the site of The Fishamble Street Music Hall, where Handel first performed the Messiah and St Michan's Church, where he composed. Possibility of performing in the National Concert Hall.

The European music tradition is also well represented in Ireland. In the 18th century Dublin became an important centre of music attracting such composers as Francesco Geminiani (1687-1762) who played and taught music in Dublin; Thomas Arne, the leading English composer of his day; and Handel who held the premiere of the Messiah in the city in 1742. An Irishman with considerable influence on Romantic composers from Chopin to Glinka was John Field (1782-1837), creator of the nocturne and one of the foremost pianists of his day.

Two Irish-born composers of the 19th century who achieved distinction through their operas were Michael Balfe (1808-70), whose best-known composition was The Bohemian Girl, and Vincent Wallace (1812-65) who composed Maritana. Charles Villiers Stanford, born in Dublin in 1852, and who later became Professor of Music at Cambridge University and the Royal College of Music, London, was a prolific composer of operas, orchestral and choral music. Many of his compositions, such as Irish Symphony and Six Irish Rhapsodies, reflect his origins. Victor Herbert (1859-1924), principally known for his operatic compositions, and Hamilton Harty (1879-1941), whose most widely known work was his Irish Symphony, based on folk songs, was also highly regarded. Brian Boydell (b. 1917) has written for both orchestra and for string quartet and his work has been mainly influenced by Bartok and Hindemith. Dinner at leisure in Dublin

A explore the Wicklow Mountains, with the possibility of performing at Kilruddery in the 17th century open air theatre or at Powerscourt House. Lunch at Powerscourt. Dinner in the hotel.