Irish Theatre Tour

July 21 – 31, 2026

$3950 (double occupancy) / $4950 (single occupancy) (airfare not included)

$100/person fully refundable deposit holds your place.

10th Year Tour 2016–2026!

Led by Gemma Whelan and Adam Liberman

Attend eight performances at world-renowned theatres in Dublin and Galway (during the Galway International Arts Festival). Meet with leading Irish playwrights and theatre artists. Day trips and other activities.

Participant Comments:
“If you think you could plan a tour yourself and have anything close to this experience, you’re wrong.”
“Just a lovely and lively experience. I am so grateful for the opportunity.”
“What a great experience to learn about Irish theater, Irish culture, and Irish history! Worth every moment.”
“My favorite group trip ever…”

Highlights from last summer's tour:

Macbeth / Riders to the Seaby William Shakespeare / J. M. Synge, directed by Garry Hynes (Druid)“ripping entertainment” —The New York Times “beautifully executed” —Variety — **Macbeth / Riders to the Sea**
by William Shakespeare / J. M. Synge, directed by Garry Hynes (Druid)
“ripping entertainment” —The New York Times “beautifully executed” —Variety

The Caveby Kevin Barry, directed by Caitríona McLaughlin (Abbey Theatre on tour) “... Strikingly beautiful” —RTÉ Radio 1 “... A bleakly funny new play” —The Irish Times — **The Cave**
by Kevin Barry, directed by Caitríona McLaughlin (Abbey Theatre on tour)
“... Strikingly beautiful” —RTÉ Radio 1 “... A bleakly funny new play” —The Irish Times

Marscomposer Jennifer Walshe, libretto Mark O’Connell (Irish National Opera and GIAF) “The most original compositional voice to emerge from Ireland in the past 20 years.” —The Irish Times on Jennifer Walshe — **Mars**
composer Jennifer Walshe, libretto Mark O’Connell (Irish National Opera and GIAF)
“The most original compositional voice to emerge from Ireland in the past 20 years.” —The Irish Times on Jennifer Walshe

T5 / Sea Wallby Simon Stephens, directed by Andrew Flynn (GIAF) “Extraordinary” —The Guardian — **T5 / Sea Wall**
by Simon Stephens, directed by Andrew Flynn (GIAF)
“Extraordinary” —The Guardian

In Extremisby Neil Bartlett, directed by Joan Sheehy (Bewley's Lunchtime Theatre) “Intriguing footnote from Oscar Wilde's final days of freedom.” —The Irish Times — **In Extremis**
by Neil Bartlett, directed by Joan Sheehy (Bewley's Lunchtime Theatre)
“Intriguing footnote from Oscar Wilde's final days of freedom.” —The Irish Times

Mother of all the Behansadapted and directed by Peter Sheridan from the book by Brian Behan (Olympia Theatre) “Imelda May sings gloriously.” —The Irish Times, “Imelda May triumphant…” —Hot Press — **Mother of all the Behans**
adapted and directed by Peter Sheridan from the book by Brian Behan (Olympia Theatre)
“Imelda May sings gloriously.” —The Irish Times, “Imelda May triumphant…” —Hot Press

The Pillowmanby Martin McDonagh, directed by Lyndsey Turner (Gate Theatre) “Genius” ★★★★” —The Irish Times, “Jaw-dropping” —The Irish Mail on Sunday — **The Pillowman**
by Martin McDonagh, directed by Lyndsey Turner (Gate Theatre)
“Genius” ★★★★” —The Irish Times, “Jaw-dropping” —The Irish Mail on Sunday

The Lunch Punch Power Hour…by Caitríona Daly, directed by Raymond Keane (Peacock Stage at Abbey Theatre) “Fun and refreshingly anarchic... A valiant, messy, entertaining lunchtime revolt” —The Irish Times — **The Lunch Punch Power Hour…**
by Caitríona Daly, directed by Raymond Keane (Peacock Stage at Abbey Theatre)
“Fun and refreshingly anarchic... A valiant, messy, entertaining lunchtime revolt” —The Irish Times

Christian O'ReillyChristian is a playwright and screenwriter based in Galway, Ireland. His plays have been produced in Ireland and internationally by companies such as Druid, Northlight and Rough Magic. Christian wrote Chapatti, which Gemma Whelan directed at Artists Rep in Portland, and Unspeakable Conversations, which the tour group saw at the Druid in 2024. — **Christian O'Reilly**
Christian is a playwright and screenwriter based in Galway, Ireland. His plays have been produced in Ireland and internationally by companies such as Druid, Northlight and Rough Magic. Christian wrote Chapatti, which Gemma Whelan directed at Artists Rep in Portland, and Unspeakable Conversations, which the tour group saw at the Druid in 2024.

Orla Mc GovernOrla is an award-winning storyteller, improvisor, performer, and writer. She is the artistic director of Moth & Butterfly, a storytelling and arts collective, a member of the Storytellers of Ireland, and a founder of the Spontaneous Theatre Company. — **Orla Mc Govern**
Orla is an award-winning storyteller, improvisor, performer, and writer. She is the artistic director of Moth & Butterfly, a storytelling and arts collective, a member of the Storytellers of Ireland, and a founder of the Spontaneous Theatre Company.

Peter SheridanPeter is a writer, theatre director, playwright, screenwriter, and film director. He was one of the founder members of the Project Arts Centre in Dublin. Peter adapted and directed Mother of all the Behans, which the tour group saw at the Olympia Theatre this year. — **Peter Sheridan**
Peter is a writer, theatre director, playwright, screenwriter, and film director. He was one of the founder members of the Project Arts Centre in Dublin. Peter adapted and directed Mother of all the Behans, which the tour group saw at the Olympia Theatre this year.

Raymond KeaneRaymond is an Irish actor, clown, puppeteer, playwright, and producer. He founded the Barabbas Theatre Company, was the voice of the puppet Pajo on RTÉ One's Pajo's Junkbox, and has appeared in Game of Thrones and Fair City. Raymond directed The Lunch Punch Power Hour…, which the group saw this year at the Abbey Theatre. — **Raymond Keane**
Raymond is an Irish actor, clown, puppeteer, playwright, and producer. He founded the Barabbas Theatre Company, was the voice of the puppet Pajo on RTÉ One's Pajo's Junkbox, and has appeared in Game of Thrones and Fair City. Raymond directed The Lunch Punch Power Hour…, which the group saw this year at the Abbey Theatre.

Kylemore AbbeyKylemore Castle was built in 1868. The bottom floor is open to the public, while the top floor is occupied by Benedictine Nuns who have occupied it since 1920. The grounds feature a six acre Victorian walled garden. While we aren’t a sightseeing tour, we do include a couple of trips in the west of Ireland to learn about the culture and history and to see the beautiful landscape. — **Kylemore Abbey**
Kylemore Castle was built in 1868. The bottom floor is open to the public, while the top floor is occupied by Benedictine Nuns who have occupied it since 1920. The grounds feature a six acre Victorian walled garden. While we aren’t a sightseeing tour, we do include a couple of trips in the west of Ireland to learn about the culture and history and to see the beautiful landscape.

Cliffs of Moher and the BurrenThe Cliffs of Moher rises over 700 feet and provides spectacular vistas over the Atlantic Ocean and the Aran Islands. Formed from rock deposited over 300 million years ago, the area is considered a geologic laboratory. At peak season, there are 30,000 pairs of birds living on the cliffs, representing more than 20 species. — **Cliffs of Moher and the Burren**
The Cliffs of Moher rises over 700 feet and provides spectacular vistas over the Atlantic Ocean and the Aran Islands. Formed from rock deposited over 300 million years ago, the area is considered a geologic laboratory. At peak season, there are 30,000 pairs of birds living on the cliffs, representing more than 20 species.

Backstage Tour at the Abbey TheatreThe Abbey, Ireland's national theatre, was founded by W.B. Yeats and Lady Gregory in 1904. On the backstage tour, we learn about the past and present of the theatre as we explore areas such as the costume shop, wig room, props room, green room, and stage. — **Backstage Tour at the Abbey Theatre**
The Abbey, Ireland's national theatre, was founded by W.B. Yeats and Lady Gregory in 1904. On the backstage tour, we learn about the past and present of the theatre as we explore areas such as the costume shop, wig room, props room, green room, and stage.

Theatrical Walking TourEach year we go on a private two-hour walking tour of Dublin, led by an expert from the Abbey Theatre. We visit and learn about significance places and people in Dublin's rich theatrical and literary past and present. — **Theatrical Walking Tour**
Each year we go on a private two-hour walking tour of Dublin, led by an expert from the Abbey Theatre. We visit and learn about significance places and people in Dublin's rich theatrical and literary past and present.

McSwiggans Steak + Seafood RestaurantMcSwiggans has been a local institution in Galway for over 30 years, and is the Irish Restaurant Awards 2025 winner for Best Gastropub. We had dinner here the first night in Galway so that we could all get to know each other. — **McSwiggans Steak + Seafood Restaurant**
McSwiggans has been a local institution in Galway for over 30 years, and is the Irish Restaurant Awards 2025 winner for Best Gastropub. We had dinner here the first night in Galway so that we could all get to know each other.

Davy ByrnesDavy Byrnes bills itself as a literary, heritage, and cosmopolitan pub, and has been serving local and international clientele since 1798. It’s even mentioned in James Joyce’s Ulysses. The group ate here on the first night in Dublin. — **Davy Byrnes**
Davy Byrnes bills itself as a literary, heritage, and cosmopolitan pub, and has been serving local and international clientele since 1798. It’s even mentioned in James Joyce’s Ulysses. The group ate here on the first night in Dublin.

TrocaderoThe Trocadero is known as Dublin's “theatre restaurant” and has attracted stage and screen actors (and others!) for over 68 years. We celebrated the end of the tour here. — **Trocadero**
The Trocadero is known as Dublin's “theatre restaurant” and has attracted stage and screen actors (and others!) for over 68 years. We celebrated the end of the tour here.

Adare Guest HouseAdare Guest House was the first purpose-built guesthouse in Galway, and is known for hosting both theatre makers and goers. Hot breakfast is included, and we also frequently have our after-show discussions downstairs. It's located about a 10 minute walk from the historic center of Galway, and about 10–20 minutes from our theatres. — **Adare Guest House**
Adare Guest House was the first purpose-built guesthouse in Galway, and is known for hosting both theatre makers and goers. Hot breakfast is included, and we also frequently have our after-show discussions downstairs. It's located about a 10 minute walk from the historic center of Galway, and about 10–20 minutes from our theatres.

Wynn's HotelWynn’s was opened on this same spot as a boarding house by Phoebe Wynn in 1845. It served as a meeting place for Irish Nationalists in 1913, and burned down during the Easter Rising of April 1916. The hotel was rebuilt and reopened in 1926. It's located one block from the Abbey Theatre, and about 5–20 minutes from our other destinations. — **Wynn's Hotel**
Wynn’s was opened on this same spot as a boarding house by Phoebe Wynn in 1845. It served as a meeting place for Irish Nationalists in 1913, and burned down during the Easter Rising of April 1916. The hotel was rebuilt and reopened in 1926. It's located one block from the Abbey Theatre, and about 5–20 minutes from our other destinations.

Galway (Days 1-5)

Tickets to four performances (such as Druid Theatre, An Taibhdhearc).
Private meetings with playwrights and other theatre artists.
Discussions with Gemma about the plays we see.
Day trip to see and learn about the region (such as the Cliffs of Moher, Connemara, or the Aran Islands).
Free time to attend the Galway International Arts Festival.
One group dinner.
Accommodations at Adare Guesthouse near the center of town, with full Irish breakfast.
Galway was the 2020 European Capital of Culture, BBC Good Food top foodie destination in the world for 2020, and one of Lonely Planet’s top 10 cities to visit in 2020!

Dublin (Days 6-10)

Tickets to four performances (such as Abbey Theatre, Gate Theatre, Project Arts Center, Bewley’s Cafe Theatre).
Private meetings with playwrights and other theatre artists.
Discussions with Gemma about the plays we see.
Various events, such as a theatrical walking tour of Dublin, backstage tours, etc.
Two group dinners.
Accommodations at Wynn’s Hotel in the center of Dublin, with full Irish breakfast.

Questions?
Contact us at .

Group participating in street performance at the Project.

Gemma with Emma O'Grady after group discussion.

Read the Terms and Conditions