WWC meet the Galway Gospel Choir

Have a look at their website while we finalize the details for your upcoming exchange concert. Here you go:
http://www.galwaygospelchoir.com/

City Facts about Galway

 

The Washington Women's Chorus is going to visit beautiful Galway with Incantato Tours for the first two days of their Ireland Performance Tour.

Here are some interesting facts about the city:

• Galway (Irish: Gaillimh) the third largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland and the only city in the province of Connacht. It is located on the west coast of Ireland. In Irish, Galway is also called Cathair na Gaillimhe (City of Galway). 
• The population of Galway city is approximately 72,400.  
• Approximately 78 per cent of the population of Galway is white Irish, descended from native Gaelic peoples and Norman settlers. A further 5 per cent are foreign-born Irish. Following an influx of immigrants to Galway during the 2000s, as Europe's fastest growing city of its size, approximately 17 per cent of the population is today non-Irish. 
• Galway is nicknamed Ireland's Cultural Heart and is renowned for its vibrant lifestyle and numerous festivals, celebrations and events. Every July, Galway hosts the Galway Arts Festival which is known for its famous Macnas parade.
• Galway city has a reputation amongst Irish cities for being associated with the Irish language, music, song and dancing traditions - it is sometimes referred to as the 'Bilingual Capital of Ireland', although like all other cities in the Republic of Ireland, the vast bulk of the city's inhabitants converse mostly in English.

Updated Flight Information

Hello WWC Travelers! We would like to, again, take a moment to update all of you with the newest flight information received from Air Lingus. You will notice the changes are in flight times, and are marked in bold.

Travel to Ireland
Sunday, June 20
US Airways Flight US 2036 DCA (Washington National) to BOS (Boston Logan) depart at 2:30 pm arrive at 3:51 pm
Air Lingus Flight EI 132 BOS (Boston Logan) to SNN (Shannon, Ireland) depart at 7:15 pm and arrive at 6:10 am the next day Monday, June 21.

Return to the US
Wednesday, June 30
Air Lingus Flight EI 133 DUB (Dublin) to BOS (Boston Logan) depart at 10:40 am, arrive at 2:25 pm.
Clear immigrations and customs, re-check your bags. Continue on US Airways Flight US 2047 BOS (Boston Logan) to DCA (Washington National) depart at 7:00 pm arrive at 8:34 pm.

Incantato Insider Ireland: "The Church" Restaurant in Dublin

A must-stop when visiting Dublin, the capital city of Ireland is the former place of workship, now stunning restaurant fittingly named "The Church".

Incantato Concert Venues: St. Nicholas Church in Galway

The Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas is the largest medieval parish church in Ireland in continuous use as a place of worship at the heart of Galway's life. A tour through the Church will allow you to glimpse the part of its rich history. You will see signs of the iconoclasm of the soldiers of Oliver Cromwell. But by contrast, should you visit during one of the many acts of worship you will see and hear the present day richness of the liturgy where sound and colour fill the delightful medieval building. Perhaps such present day liturgies are not that far removed from the sights, sounds and perfumes that graced St Nicholas centuries ago.
Have a look at the church's website for more information.

WWC will be staying at two of our favorite hotels: The Imperial in Cork and The International in Killarney

Dear Travelers,
the first hotel confirmations are coming in and we sure hope you will be as pleased as we are with the selections.
Here is the website for International Hotel in Killarney which is located right in the heart of town, offers one of the best breakfasts I ever had in Ireland (served table-side) and so much more.
Have a look at the following site for your Cork accommodation and don't forget to check out the spa: Imperial Hotel Cork

First suggested itinerary for the Washington Women's Chorus Performance Tour 2010

Here is the first itinerary, some details are subject to change to improve the overall tour experience and to make sure it really matches and even exceeds your group's expectations. Enjoy!

Highlights
• A series of up to four professionally organized and promoted formal performances in magnificent venues just for your choir.
• Educational and entertaining sightseeing
• Plenty of opportunities for immersion into the local culture
• Exchange with local musicians
• Entrances to many sights, including Blarney Castle
• Nice hotels in good and central locations

Likely Concert-Venues (to be selected from)
• St. Nicholas Church, University —GALWAY
• Gothic Church at Kylemore Abbey
• Muckross House, Cathedral, Danny Man Pub —KILLARNEY
• St. Augustine, University —CORK
• St. Patrick's Cathedral, St. Ann's Church, St. Bartholomew, Christchurch —DUBLIN

Possible add-on: • Bunratty Castle —BUNRATTY

The above listed venues have been carefully selected by Incantato‘s Concert Managers and will be requested for your choir and travel dates. Final confirmation is based on submission of repertoire and recording as well as final approval by the local music directors.

Accommodation and Meals
Incantato‘s Hospitality Managers take pride in working only with pre-inspected hotels that fit your budget and selected restaurants frequented by locals. We encourage you to stay and eat in typical, ideally locally owned properties for a true immersion into the local cultures. Irish breakfasts are included daily and four special dinners.

Sunday, June 20

Day 1: GROUP FLIGHT TO IRELAND (or make your own way to Ireland)
DCA - BOS - SNN 
Travel to Ireland
US Airways Flight 2036 DCA to BOS depart at 14:30 arrive at 15:51

Air Lingus Flight 132 BOS to SNN depart at 19:00 and arrive at 06:05 the next day, Monday, June 21

Monday, June 21

Day 2: ARRIVAL SHANNON
Meet your Tour Manager 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 city-center hotel (guests on the land-only package, please meet the group at the hotel)
Relax, explore town, free time
Welcome dinner in the hotel or a local pub

Tuesday, June 22

Day 3: SCENIC GALWAY & Connemara
Start Connemara Loop with Spidea, Maam Valley, Kilerry fjord, Leenane
Stop at Kylemore Abbey and Gardens
Lunch Concert at the Gothic Church
then drive though Inagh Valley, Oughterard, stop at Moycullen Marble Shop
Return to Galway for an evening at leisure

Wednesday, June 23

Day 4: 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 exploring one or a few of the music pubs Killarney is known for.

Thursday, June 24

Day 5: KILLARNEY & RING OF KERRRY
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 Concert at either Danny Mann Pub, St. Mary's Cathedral or at Muckross House.

Friday, June 25

Day 6: BLARNEY CASTLE & CORK
Visit this must see tourist attraction and then take in lovely Cork with its many shops and restaraunts.

Saturday, June 26

Day 7: CORK AT LEISURE
Hit the golf course, visit the spa, explore museums or help the local economy. Today is all about you and recharging your batteries. Evening concert at St Augustine's Church or another local venue

Sunday, June 27

Day 8: CORK-WATERFORD-DUBLIN
Bid farewell to Cork
Stop on Dungarvan
See the Rock of Cashel (and should it re-open, tour of the Waterford Crystal Factory)
and continue to Dublin for an orientation tour and evening at leisure

Monday, June 28

Day 9: DUBLIN IN-DEPTH - PERFORMANCE
Trinity College and the famous Book of Kells
St Patrick's Cathedral - Lunchtime recital
Dublin Castle

Tuesday, June 29

Day 10: DUBLIN AT LEISURE
Day at leisure
Optional Distillery or Guiness Brewery Tour
Additional performance opportunity prior to a farewell dinner with lots of music and dance.

Wednesday, June 30

Day 11: DEPARTURE or BELFAST EXTENSION
Return Flight via Boston to DCA

Air Lingus Flight 133 DUB to BOS depart at 11:30 arrive at 15:10
clear immigrations and customs, rec-check your bags

US Airways Flight 2047 BOS to DCA depart at 19:00 arrive at 20:34