WWC is touring Ireland in the summer of 2010 under the direction of Don Paul Richardson. The Washington D.C. based women's chorus is performing in Galway, at Kylmore Abbey, in Killarney, Cork and twice in Dublin between June 20 and June 30.
Dublin is the largest city and capital of Ireland. It is officially known in Irish as Baile Átha Cliath; the English name comes from the Irish Dubh Linn meaning "black pool". It is located near the midpoint of Ireland's east coast, at the mouth of the River Liffey and at the centre of the Dublin Region. Originally founded as a Viking settlement, it evolved into the Kingdom of Dublin and became the island's primary city following the Norman invasion. Today, it is ranked 23rd in the Global Financial Centres Index, has one of the fastest growing populations of any European capital city, and is as a global city, with a ranking of Alpha - which places Dublin amongst the top 25 cities in the world. Dublin is a historical and contemporary cultural centre for the island of Ireland as well as a modern centre of education, the arts, administrative function, economy and industry.
The Washington Womens's Chorus will enjoy some days in the Irish city of Cork with Incantato Tours. Let's have a closer look at this destination:
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,143, while the addition of the suburban areas contained the county brings the total to 190,384. Cork has a reputation for rebelliousness dating back to the town's support of the English Pretender Perkin Warbeck in 1491 following the Wars of the Roses. As a result, County Cork has earned the nickname of "the Rebel County", while Corkonians often refer to the city as the "real capital of Ireland", and themselves as the "Rebels". The city is built on the River Lee which divides into two channels at the western end of the city. The city centre is located on the island created by the channels. At the eastern end of the city centre they converge; and the Lee flows around Lough Mahon to Cork Harbour, one of the world's largest natural harbours. The city is a major Irish seaport; there are quays and docks along the banks of the Lee on the city's east side. Music, theatre, dance, film and poetry all play a prominent role in Cork city life. The Cork School of Music and the Crawford College of Art and Design provide a constant throughput of new blood, as do the active theatre components of many courses at University College Cork (UCC). Highlights include: Corcadorca Theatre Company, of which Cillian Murphy was a troupe member prior to Hollywood fame; Cork Film Festival, a major supporter of the art of the short film; The Institute for Choreography and Dance, a national contemporary dance resource; the Triskel Arts Centre; Cork Jazz Festival; the Cork Academy of Dramatic Art (CADA).
The Washington Women's Chorus is having a marvelous time in Ireland, their tour manager Eammon just reported over the phone. The singers are on their way to the Danny Mann Pub and are looking forward to a performance and dinner. The Incantato Tours Team wishes WWC a wonderful evening!
Killarney (from the Irish: "Cill Airne" meaning "church of sloes") is a town in County Kerry, southwestern Ireland, and the next stop on the WWC itinerary. The town is located north of the MacGillicuddy Reeks, on the northeastern shore of the Lough Lein/Leane which are part of Killarney National Park. The town and its surrounding region are home to St. Mary's Cathedral, Ross Castle, Muckross Abbey, Lakes of Killarney, Torc Waterfall and Gap of Dunloe. Killarney was awarded the "Best Kept Town" award for 2007 in a cross-border competition jointly organised by the Department of the Environment and the Northern Ireland Amenity Council. Owing to its natural heritage, history and proximity to the Dingle Peninsula, Skellig Michael island and its location on the Ring of Kerry, Killarney is a popular tourist destination.
"There's only the one Killarney" is a song that was recorded by Irish tenor, Patrich O'Hagan. The song was written by Irish songwriter, Dick Farrelly, who wrote the words & music. Killarney appears in another song, titled, "How Can you buy Killarney", written by Kennedy, Steels, Grant and Morrison, the song was recorded by Joseph Locke among others.
The travelers of WWC get ready for their exchange concert in Galway tonight, June 22, at 7.30 pm with the Galway Gospel Choir. To learn more about the choir, please click here. The Franciscan Abbey was founded in 1296. In 1483 a school of advanced theology was instituted there. About 40 years later, Maurice O Fihely, archbishop of Tuam, was buried in the church. 1657 the friary was destroyed and the church was made into a court house (the present court house stands on the same site). In 1660 a church was erected on the present site. The only novitiate of which they have definite information was opened here in 1774. The church was rebuilt in 1781 and around 1836 the present church was opened; present friary was built or rebuilt in 1820, and renovated recently. The organ of the Abbey, Galway, is placed in the gallery at the back of the church, and is divided between two cases to avoid obscuring a large stained-glass window in the centre. The swell and pedal divisions are located in the left case (as seen from the church, facing the back) and the great in the right. The console is beside the left case, and faces sideways across the rather narrow gallery. The instrument has a pleasant, sweet sound with good definition and a fast, ready response from the action. The picture is from the official website of the Irish Franciscans.
Dear Members of the 2010 Washington Women's Chorus Tour to Ireland,
We wish you safe travels to the emerald isle. Incantato Tour Manager Eammon Broderick will be welcoming everyone on Monday, June 21, at Shannon airport and then bring the group to Galway.
Enjoy your time in Europe, Your Incantato Tours Team
With the WWC tour to Ireland just around the corner, the Incantato Tours team had a look at the weather forecast for the next few days in Galway, the first stop on the WWC itinerary. On Monday, June 21, it's said to be mostly sunny with around 70°F during the day. The nice weather continues on Tuesday with a partly cloudy sky and 69°F. Perfect temperature for sightseeing!
"The usual way to tell the difference between winter and summer in Ireland is to measure the temperature of the rain", so an Irish saying goes. While it is true that there are no major temperature differences between the seasons and that it rains often, the Irish weather is manageable. Temperatures will rarely go below 32°F and only occasionally above 68°F - with June, July and August being the warmest months. In June it is normally around 48°F (average low) and 60°F (average high) with an average of ten wet days. We recommend to pack clothes that you can layer, a rain jacket and umbrella.
Day 1, Sunday, June 20: Departure to Ireland Departure from the US with the group or on your own; please make sure you arrive at the airport at least two hours in advance for check-in. Group flight: 2:30 pm to Boston, 7.15 pm from Boston to Shannon.
Day 2, Monday, June 21: Arrival in Shannon Meet your Tour Manager Eammon Broderick and driver at the airport after clearing immigrations and customs. Take the scenic route to Galway, stopping on route for tea & scones. Check-in to the Carlton Hotel, then relax, explore the town and enjoy some free time. The first day ends with a welcome dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Day 3, Tuesday, June 22: Kylemore Abbey & Galway Concert Start Connemara Loop with Spidea, Maam Valley, Kilerry fjord, Leenane; then stop at Kylemore Abbey and Gardens for a visit and lunchtime concert at the Gothic Church. After some time at leisure: Evening exchange concert with the Galway Gospel Choir (7:30 pm at the Franciscan Abbey) followed by a chance to mingle and grab a couple of pints at the local pubs.
Day 4, Wednesday, June 23: Cliffs of Moher to Killarney Another day full of breathtaking scenery awaits you today as you travel via Limerick to the Cliffs of Moher and then continue via Adare and Ennis to Killarney. Free time to talk a walk or horse-drawn carriage ride through Muckross Garden prior to your evening concert at Killarney's famous Danny Mann Pub at 7 pm.
Day 5, Thursday, June 24: Ring of Kerry & Concert at St. Mary’s View of the Killarney National Park, "The Ring of Kerry", Brendan Ferris sheepdog herding demo and the towns of Glenbeigh, Carhiciveen, Waterville, Scarrit Inn, Carroll's Cove, Gap of Dunloe. Return to Killarney for a concert at St. Mary's Church at 8 pm.
Day 6, Friday, June 25: Blarney Castle & Cork Visit this must see tourist attraction and then take in lovely Cork with its many shops and restaurants. Overnight stays in Cork at The Imperial Hotel.
Day 7, Saturday, June 26: Cork in-depth & St. Augustine’s Church performance Full day at leisure for optional sightseeing and shopping with the bus and Tour Manager at WWC’s disposal. Then get ready for your evening concert at St Augustine's Church at 8 pm.
Day 8, Sunday, June 27: From Cork to Dublin Depart Dublin in the morning and see some of the city's highlights on an orientation tour. Check-in to you Incantato Tour hotel and home away from home: Jury’s Inn Christchurch. Then enjoy an evening at leisure in the Irish capital.
Day 9, Monday, June 28: Dublin in-depth & Lunchtime Concert Explore the city on a guided tour from 9 am to 4.30 pm, with a stop at St. Patrick's Cathedral for a lunchtime concert. Spend the evening at Merry Ploughboys Pub and enjoy a traditional dinner with Irish music.
Day 10, Tuesday, June 29: Dublin at leisure& Finale Highlight Concert Optional Distillery or Guiness Brewery Tour on your day at leisure. Then prepare for your finale highlight concert at St. Bartholomew’s Church at 7:30 pm.
Day 11, Wednesday, June 30: Departure to the US or Extension Return flight via Boston to DCA, 10:40 am departure to Boston, 7 pm departure to Washington
"Our tour was so much more than a music festival. It was a complete cultural enrichment including great performance venues, hotels, restaurants, local tour guides, as well as connections with other choirs and instrumentalists. An added bonus for us was an introduction to an Italian composer who presently will be joining us in NC for 3 concerts featuring some of his choral music. So the cultural exchange continues. Bravo, Incantato!" Dr. Sue Klausmeyer, Chapel Hill Community Chorus, Chapel Hill, SC
"As a director I loved the personal touch Incantato was able to provide and the attention they gave to even the smallest details. Incantato worked with us to suit our tour of Central Europe to our ensemble’s needs and objectives. The result was a brilliant tour that featured amazing performance venues, excellent guides, and unique cultural experiences that the students and I will remember for a lifetime."
Dr. Graeme Langager - Director of Choral Activities, University of Arkansas
"Having recently returned from a successful tour of Ireland, I can say without a doubt that this was my finest tour experience. I have used several different tours companies in my years of performance tours, and none have matched the attention to detail, the thoughtful planning, excellent venues & marketing, meal & hotels, and overall management by Incantato Tours. Their pricing was excellent, and when the US currency dropped, they did not raise any of our cost. I would recommend this company to anyone planning a tour, whether they are a large professional ensemble, or a small church choir." Nathan J. Kreitzer - Director of Choral Activities Santa Barbara City College, CA
“When we travel to Europe again, it wil be with Incantato. I have been more than impressed with their professionalism and attention to detail. We sang in great and unforgettable venues, had excellent marketing and audiences. I highly recommend Incantato.“ Howard Cheung, San Marino Chamber Choir, CA
“I’ve worked with many other tour companies, but our Incantato Tour exceeded even my most optimistic expectations. The singers will remember their time in Italy the rest of their lives. To have had the opportunity to perform in those amazing cathedrals with large appreciative audiences was truly memorable.“ Judy Filibeck, Choir of the Sound, Seattle, WA
“From start to finish Incantato was tremendous in terms of the planning and execution of our tour. We found the staff professional yet personable, and without doubt we’ll travel with them in the future.” Philemon Theodorou, SCHS Vocal Arts, CA
“Incantato Tours has created the most musically satisfying tour we have ever taken. For the singers touring is about the music in the wonderful cathedrals and the exchanges with the local kids. A toast to Incantato for fulfilling your dream, and for making so many people so happy - now and in the future.“ Arlene Jacobs, SCS Touring Choir, Akron, OH
“Incantato Tours impresses me because their clients come first. Their advantage lies in the selection of venues, impressive itineraries and the ability to tend to details.” Dr. Gary L. Unruh, Professor Emeritus, CSU Fresno
