Glendalough
The Island of Saints & Scholars
September 21 - 30, 2023 | Maximum Group Size: 15 Participants | Availability: Open
W. B. Yeats Statue, Sligo
From the immortal poetry of William Butler Yeats to the ground-breaking fiction of James Joyce to the achingly beautiful plays of John Synge, the island of Ireland has produced an assortment of literature that is nothing short of breathtaking. Set against the backdrop of deep green fields and a proud but turbulent history, this land is as lovely as it is lyrical.
This Fall, join Discover Europe and experience the stunning beauty of the Emerald Isle. From the literary haunts scattered across the land to dramatic seascapes and picturesque farms, our itinerary offers an experience for travelers who want to see beyond the tourist façade and explore the deeper artistic and cultural facets of this small, complex island. Beginning in Dublin, steeped in literary wealth, and then crossing the island to the hinterlands of Donegal, we’ll walk in the footsteps of Yeats and Joyce, experiencing the full range of Ireland from coast to coast.
James Joyce
Dublin’s lively city energy captivated generations of writers, from Jonathan Swift to Iris Murdoch, and is home to the Abbey Theatre, founded by William Butler Yeats. On the west coast of the island, we enter Yeats country, and the magical area surrounding Sligo, where the full legacy of the Yeats family is revealed against a romantic backdrop that includes Queen Maeve’s Grave and the Lake Isle of Innisfree. Then on to Joyce’s Country and the astonishing landscape around Galway and the Connemara coast.
With a wonderful balance of guided and free time in this ancient country, you’ll revel in the mystical beauty and literary references as we explore The Island of Saints and Scholars.
If you would like to register for The Island of Saints & Scholars tour, please complete and submit the form located under Reserve Now.
*Once you have submitted the above registration form with your digital signature, a Discover Europe staff member will be in contact as soon as possible to process your deposit and welcome you to the tour.
Newgrange