9days / 8 nights of Music, + Sightseeing in Ireland
with COMPTON + NEWBERRY
Small Group Tour - maximum 25 people!
MAY 30 - JUNE 07, 2026
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
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Private motorcoach with professional driver
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Dedicated local historian / tour guide
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8 nights accommodation in castles / manors / boutique hotels
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12 meals - 7 full Irish breakfasts plus 5 group dinners
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Entrance fees into historic sites
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Entrance fees into scheduled music events
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Bluegrass jams with Jeff, fellow travellers and guest musicians
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PRIVATE MENTORING SESSIONS + CLASS JAMS WITH Jeff
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ADDITIONAL NIGHTS IN DUBLIN CAN BE ARRANGED BEFORE OR AFTER THE TOUR - ask us about special deals!
Mike Compton / Joe Newberry
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Visit the beautiful, historic sites of Ireland!
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Enjoy Irish music and experience traditional Irish sessions in quaint Irish listening venues!
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Spend close-up time with bluegrass favourites Compton + Newberry, along with special guests, in a most unique setting, in one of the most beautiful and friendly countries in the world!
MEET - Joe McCooey -
Our Historical Advisor + Guide
Joe is highly regarded as one of Ireland's most foremost archeologists. Archaeology has always been his passion, along with his huge interest in local history. He has extensive knowledge of areas not on standard tourism routes, which are hidden gems and reflective of true Irish life over the centuries.
Joe is interested and passionate about the need to preserve monuments for future generations and to regenerate community interest in and support for monuments and buildings of archaeological and historical importance.
He has undertaken the major long-term project of restoring the ruin of the medieval Killilagh Church in the Doolin area, to restore and to stop further deterioration in the condition of the fabric of the building, on a phased basis. He is also working on a graveyard survey at Killilagh and aims to link Doolin with the Irish diaspora in the USA
FAQs:
DO I HAVE TO BE A BLUEGRASS FAN TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS TOUR?
Absolutely not! All are welcome - spouses, partners, friends, travel enthusiasts etc! This is an enjoyable tour of Ireland, visiting many historical sites. The tour will encompass sightseeing, shopping, attending bluegrass and Irish music events and many other activities!
WILL THERE BE IRISH MUSIC JAMS/SESSIONS?
Yes, absolutely!
There will be opportunities to attend (and participate if you wish) in Irish music sessions, hosted by local Irish traditional musicians along the way.
WHAT IF I WANT TO EXTEND MY TRIP IN IRELAND?
We are happy to arrange additional nights in Dublin (or elsewhere in the country) for you, for before or after the tour! Just ask us for further details.We have some great recommendations!
ARE FLIGHTS INCLUDED?
No. Since many people these days prefer to select their chosen airline / flight routing, and also choose to add extra days in Ireland before or after the tour, this is a land-only package. We're happy to refer you to an American based agency who can assist you with the flights if you require.
Mike Compton, a Grammy-winning mandolinist, is widely recognized for his mastery of the Monroe-style mandolin playing. With a career spanning over four decades, Compton has collaborated with legendary artists such as John Hartford, Nashville Bluegrass Band, Elvis Costello, Ralph Stanley as well as a featured performer on the "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack as well as a mainstay in the two highly successful tours that followed. Mike has done two consecutive years Artist in Residence at East Tennessee State University's "Appalachian Studies/Bluegrass and Old Time" Program. His unique blend of bluegrass, old-time, and traditional music has captivated audiences across the globe.
Known around the world for his clawhammer banjo playing, Joe Newberry is also a powerful guitarist, singer and songwriter. The Gibson Brothers’ version of his song “Singing As We Rise,” won the IBMA “Gospel Recorded Performance” Award. With Eric Gibson, he shared the IBMA “Song of the Year” Award for “They Called It Music.” A longtime and frequent guest on A Prairie Home Companion, he was also a featured singer on the Transatlantic Sessions tour of the U.K., and at the Transatlantic Session's debut at Merlefest. Growing up in a Missouri family full of singers and dancers, he took up the guitar and banjo as a teenager and learned tunes and songs from mentors from coast to coast.
TENTATIVE ITINERARY
(subject to change)
DAY1 (Sat 7Jun)-depart from your chosen location (if coming from North America or Australia/Asia)!
DAY2 (Sun 8Jun)-arrive in Ireland
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Arrive in Dublin Airport – Meet and greet the tour guide and board our coach to travel westward, stopping at the historic town of Kells (founding place of the famous Book of Kells) and then continue on to the counties of Longford and Leitrim
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Tonight’s overnight accommodation, the majestic Lough Rynn Castle estate, located in the beautiful county of Leitrim, where we will stay for two nights.
DAY3 (Mon 9Jun)
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Day programme t/b/c
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DAY4 (Tue 10Jun)
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After breakfast, we check out of Lough Rynn, and head west to County Mayo, arriving in the lovely seaside heritage town of Westport. Tonight we will stay in the beautiful Knockranny House Hotel - Just a short walk from the town centre, and set in secluded grounds on a hillside, this luxury hotel stands proudly overlooking the picturesque town of Westport and enjoys breathtaking views of Croagh Patrick and Clew Bay’s islands to the west and the Nephin Mountains to the north.
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Tonight, after dinner, we go to the famous Matt Molloy's (of the world famous Irish band The Chieftains) pub for a traditional Irish session. One never knows who will turn up. Matt Molloy himself is often on site and joins in the nightly session!
DAY5 (Wed 11Jun)
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After a well-prepared breakfast, we check out of our hotel and head south through the historic region of Connemara, taking in the west coast of counties Galway and Clare. Before we reach today's hotel, we'll sample a portion of the ancient Burren.
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Tonight we'll stay in the music town of Ennis and will enjoy one of the many traditional Irish sessions which take place in the local pubs.
DAY6 (Thurs 12Jun)
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After breakfast, we head to the medieval midlands town of Athlone.
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We will visit Athlone Castle and the self-proclaimed ‘oldest pub in Ireland’ Sean’s Bar. Whether it’s truly the oldest or not, there’s always a good atmosphere and a great pint of Guinness pulled!
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Continue on toward Dublin.
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Overnight accommodation: Johnstown Estate (final two nights)
DAY7 (Fri 13Jun)
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After breakfast, we explore the Boyne Valley Region.
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Subject to scheduling + availability, we will visit Newgrange - a prehistoric monument located on a rise overlooking the River Boyne, It is an exceptionally grand passage tomb built during the Neolithic Period, around 3200 BC, making it older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids!
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We will also visit Trim Castle - the largest and best preserved Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland. Few places in Ireland contain more medieval buildings than this heritage town. Trim gets its name from the Irish, ‘Baile Atha Troim’, which means ‘Town of the Ford of the Elder Trees’, indicating that this was an important fording point on the River Boyne.
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Before re-boarding the bus, there’s time to shop at Trim’s local craft shop.
DAY8 (Sat 14Jun)
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Final morning to start the day with a full Irish breakfast , then check out of the hotel and we say goodbye until next time….!
CUSTOMARY GRATUITIES FOR TOUR GUIDE AND DRIVER NOT INCLUDED.
FURTHER DETAILS TO FOLLOW!
THIS IS A LAND PACKAGE ONLY.
FLIGHTS/ AIRFARE NOT INCLUDED.
TOUR BEGINS AND ENDS IN DUBLIN <coach picks up on first morning of tour at arrivals hall in Dublin Airport and finishes up in Dublin at end of tour>
Price quoted in Euros. Due to currency fluctuation, the dollar amount is not guaranteed and is subject to change until time of final payment.
Deposits are non-refundable. Final payments will be non-refundable within 120 days of start of programme.. It is advisable for participants to secure their own travel/health insurance in the event of illness or cancellation. IATW reserves the right to alter or change any and all details of this trip as necessary. /
Further information at
IrelandAlongTheWay@gmail.com PH: 615-955-4575
