Ireland Songwriter Getaway
August 4-9, 2019 – Dublin & Galway
Ireland has a musical culture that is thousands of years old, and has produced some of the most beautiful music ever written. Irish folk music can legitimately claim to be a precursor to American blues, country, rock and roll, and even hip hop. Music is still central to Irish life today, to an extent that North Americans will find surprising and delightful – it is how the Irish pass along the stories of their long and sometimes violent history.
This summer, our guests will spend time in Dublin and Galway, enjoying the sights, sounds, and flavours of Ireland. Come and find new inspiration for your songwriting through workshops, one-on-one mentoring, daily visits to some of Ireland’s legendary music pubs, and exposure to the magic of one of the world’s great musical cultures.
Our Ireland Songwriter Getaway includes:
- 3 days and nights in Dublin
- 3 days and nights in Galway
- Songwriting workshops and original song feedback
- One-on-one mentoring and feedback from Murray Foster
- All meals with the exception of two lunches on your own
- A tour of the Guinness Storehouse
- Roundtrip Transportation from Dublin to Galway
- A tour of Dunguaire Castle, Aillwee Cave, Cliffs of Moher, Doolin, and Wild Atlantic Way Coastal Drive
- Evening visits to some of the best music pubs in Ireland including Doyle’s, Tig Coili and The Crane Bar.
Registration does not include airfare, lodging, alcohol or personal expenses. The limited bedrooms in our workshop spaces in Dublin & Galway have sold out. See details below on nearby lodging.
Songwriter Getaway Registration
Songwriter Registration – $1200Non-Songwriting Partner – $900
All prices are in Canadian Dollars.
Note: Rooms in our Workshop spaces have sold out, but you are welcome to join the workshops, meals, and tours while staying in a hotel or Airbnb. Please see some options below. If you have questions about lodging, please email us.
Registration fee does not include airfare, lodging, travel insurance, alcohol or personal expenses. Songwriter Getaways are BYOB. Although we do not provide alcohol, you are welcome to consume it both at our workshop locations and at restaurants and pubs nearby.
Workshop Locations
Workshops will take place at Trinity College in Dublin and at our Getaway House in Galway.
Orientation
The group will meet at 3pm on Sunday, August 4th at the front gate of Trinity College
Ireland Songwriter Lodging
There are two options for lodging. You can make your own arrangements at a nearby hotel or you can stay with us if space is available. We have limited rooms available at our apartment at Trinity College and at our Galway Getaway House (33 Prospect Hill). We have some shared rooms with twin beds. These rooms will be shared with a same-gender songwriter. We also have a couple solo rooms which are great for couples. Couples will share a double bed. Dublin check-in is 2pm on Sunday, August 4th. All prices are in Canadian Dollars.
Solo Room – $875 Shared Room – $750 Sold Out!
If you are not staying with us, there are other lodging options nearby in both Dublin and Galway that you can book on your own including hotels and Airbnbs. See below.
Nearby Hotel Options
Dublin
Trinity College – lodging in the Trinity College dorms and apartment buildings.
Trinity City Hotel – Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 FW96, Ireland • +353 1 648 1000 – ★★★★
Buswells Hotel – 23-27 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2, D02 DT80, Ireland • +353 1 614 6500 – ★★★
The Lombard – 44 Pearse St, Dublin, D02 PX31, Ireland • +353 1 671 8033 – ★★★
Galway
Western Hotel – 33 Prospect Hill, Galway, H91 Y3FA, Ireland • +353 91 562 834 – ★★★
Forster Court Hotel – Forster St, Galway, Ireland • +353 91 564 111 – ★★★★
Skeffington Arms Hotel – Eyre Square, Galway, Ireland • +353 91 563 173 – ★★★★
AirBnB
Dublin and Galway also have many options for Airbnb rentals. You can rent a room in someone’s home or apartment or rent a full apartment/house for yourself. Many of our guests have used this option for past getaways with positive results. We encourage you read the reviews and host policies if you select this option. If you are new to Airbnb, use our Referral Link to receive a credit toward your first reservation.
Songwriter Getaway Itinerary
Sunday
3pm – Orientation & 1st Workshop
Dinner in Temple Bar Area
Monday
Songwriting Workshop
Lunch in Temple Bar Area
Guinness Tour
Dinner
Local Music
Tuesday
Songwriting Workshop
Lunch on Your Own
Dinner Near Trinity College
Ruby Sessions at Doyle’s
Wednesday
Travel to Galway
Check In to Lodging
Lunch Near Eyre Square
Free Afternoon
Final Song Share
Dinner in Galway
Tig Coili
Thursday
Bus Tour to Dunguaire Castle, Aillwee Cave, Cliffs of Moher, Doolin, Wild Atlantic Way Coastal Drive
Lunch on Your Own (There are cafes at Aillwee Cave, Cliffs of Moher, and Doolin.)
Dinner
The Crane Bar
Friday
Breakfast
Travel back to Dublin (optional)
We understand some guests may wish to extend their stay and travel onto another city from Galway. But we will be providing transportation back to Dublin for those who wish to return.
Note: There may be slight alterations to the itinerary based on weather and group interests.
FAQs
What time does the getaway start and end?
Our first official Getaway activity will be a 3pm Orientation. We’ll have dinner at 6pm.
Check-out will be at 8:30am on Friday, August 9th. Guests will have the option to get breakfast before returning to Dublin.
Are instruments provided?
We do not provide instruments. You can of course bring your own instrument. Please verify all special baggage requirements with your airline. We can also help arrange instrument rentals. Please email us if you require instrument rentals in Ireland.
I’m new to songwriting. Is this right for me?
Yep! These songwriter trips are designed for all-levels from first-time songwriters to seasoned pros. We’ve even had people who don’t play an instrument. This is a supportive and welcoming group. You’ll be writing songs in no time!
What if my spouse/partner/non-songwriting bff wants to come?
Great! We have an option for that! This trip has a lot of activities for them to participate in and a lot of things for them to do during songwriting workshops. Just select the option to bring a non-songwriter guest when registering.
How do I get from the airport to downtown Dublin?
The easiest way to get from Dublin Airport to Downtown is by AirCoach. Travel is typically just 7 Euros. Buses depart every 15 minutes.
What if I don’t want to go to one of the scheduled activities?
That’s absolutely fine! We’ll stay connected with you so you can rejoin at the next one.
Can I bring my pet?
Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate pets on our songwriter getaways.
Cancellation Policy
Participants who cancel one month before the getaway will receive a full refund minus a $100 cancellation fee.
If a participants cancels after July 4, 2019, the participant will receive a 50% refund.