FESTIVAL DATES
March 7-11, 2024
Welcome to Ireland
Join singers from around the world at the Fingal International Festival of Voices! Perform your favorite repertoire, attend concerts, participate in workshops, and see why Ireland is one of the friendliest places on Earth!
Your festival itinerary will immerse your group in Irish music and culture in the community of Fingal just north of Dublin. In addition you’ll enjoy sightseeing and exploring in the lively city of Dublin and in the beautiful Wicklow valley to the south. Above all, as you sing and take in the sights, you are sure to note the warmth and joy of the Irish people. Fáilte! Ready to get started? Contact us today!
Itinerary
THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2024 | DEPART NORTH AMERICA
Depart North America this evening on an overnight flight to Dublin. Dinner and snacks will be served on your flight.
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2024 | WELCOME TO IRELAND & THE FINGAL FESTIVAL
Upon arrival this morning in Dublin, your Music Contact International tour manager will greet your choir at the airport. Together, board your private motor coach and transfer into the city for a panoramic tour.
Travel along the River Liffey by the General Post Office and the Customs House. See glorious landmarks from medieval times at St. Patrick’s and Christchurch Cathedrals and walk around colorful Georgian-style Merrion Square. Visit Trinity College, the oldest and most prestigious university in Ireland, and see the college’s magnificent library and its prized possession, the Book of Kells.
After lunch, settle into your Dublin hotel and refresh. An early group dinner is served at the hotel followed by opening concerts.
Tonight, the Festival of Voices kicks off with friendship concerts hosted by ensembles based in Fingal County, located just north of Dublin. We promise you a fabulous evening of singing, mingling and exchange with new Irish friends!
SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 2024 | COUNTY WICKLOW | FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES
After breakfast in the hotel dining room enjoy the day in County Wicklow.
Take a scenic drive south, to the part of the country known as “the Garden of Ireland” filled with estates, parks and beautiful scenery that one associates with the Irish countryside.
At the foot of the Wicklow Mountains, visit Powerscourt House & Gardens, one of the most beautiful manor homes in Ireland, and a magnificent example of aristocratic gardens from the 19th century. Next visit, Glendalough Monastic Site and Visitor Centre. It was here that St. Kevin, son of the king of Leinster, founded a monastery in the 6th century, which grew to become a famous center of learning. The settlement stood for 600 years until it was destroyed in 1398. Scenic walking trails take visitors on a route by the ruins and lakes and a visitor’s center details the history, archaeology and wildlife of the area.
At night, inteRnational choirs are invited to attend the Irish workplace choirs competition followed by a Ceili, a social event with Irish folk music and singing, traditional dancing and storytelling.
SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 2024 | FINGAL INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF VOICES & GRAND PRIX COMPETITION
Enjoy breakfast in the hotel dining room before a full day of Festival activities, including choir competitions, interactive workshops, and opportunities to hear other ensembles perform. Be sure to visit the Festival Club, where events of particular interest to singers, such as demonstrations on healthy singing techniques and Irish pronunciation and diction, will be held throughout the day.
This evening, dinner for your group can be arranged upon request before you attend–or perhaps sing in– the Grand Prix Competition, featuring performances by the winners of each competition category. Awards and acknowledgments close out the evening’s festivities.
MONDAY, MARCH 11, 2024 | SUNDAY CHURCH & FESTIVAL FAREWELL DINNER
Enjoy Sunday breakfast before visiting a local church where your choir has been invited to sing as part of the worship service. Following church and time for fellowship, the remainder of the day in Dublin will be left open for independent exploration and souvenir shopping. Optionally, an additional choral workshop can be arranged.
Tonight, dinner and entertainment at a traditional Irish pub rounds out your exciting musical stay in Ireland!
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2024 | FLY HOME OR EXTEND YOUR STAY
After breakfast, transfer to Dublin Airport for your return flight home or extend your stay in Ireland.
Package
Accommodations
•4 nights in a 4-star hotel in central Dublin
Transportation
•A private, modern, air-conditioned motor coach with a professional driver is provided is provided for all transportation as described in the itinerary.
Meals
•Breakfast each morning at the hotel
•Welcome dinner served at the hotel
•Farewell dinner served at a traditional Irish pub
Tour Manager
•A full-time Music Contact International tour manager to accompany your group during their entire stay, from arrival to departure
Performance Opportunities
•Friendship concert with other visiting and Irish choirs
•Competitive performance in applicable category or categories
•Sunday worship service and singing at a local church
•Singing workshop
Guided Tours & Special Events
•Guided tour of Dublin, including Trinity College and the Book of Kells
•Excursion to County Wicklow with visits to Powerscourt House and Gardens and Glendalough Monastic Site
Complimentary Places
•Two complimentary land packages for every 30 paying travelers in single rooms.
Fall 2022
Depart from North America.
Upon arrival in Ireland, your Music Contact International tour manager will greet you at the airport. Together, transfer to your hotel. There will be time to refresh from your journey before taking an orientation walk with sightseeing and time for lunch. View the venues, visit the hotels, see the sights, and meet other directors. Includes complimentary air travel from New York, double occupancy accommodations, and most meals. The weekend is an exciting opportunity to preview the components of the festival.
*The Complimentary Orientation Tour is an invaluable opportunity to preview the venues and hotels and to discuss program points of the festival. Your travel to Ireland is complimentary, including airfare from New York’s JFK Airport, accommodations, ground transportation, and most meals. This Orientation Tour is for the choir director or official representative of each registered choir. Participation is not required, although the weekend is extremely helpful for visualizing the components of the festival and seeing what else Ireland has to offer your choir. If you are unable to attend the Orientation Tour, Music Contact International is happy to relay any specific questions to the festival organizers on your behalf.
If your choir is interested in staying in Ireland or elsewhere in Europe for additional days, please let us know. We will be glad to offer an extension tour, with singing or without, according to your choir’s interests.
Inclusions
Accommodations
•4 nights in a 4-star hotel in central Dublin
Transportation
•A private, modern, air-conditioned motor coach with a professional driver is provided is provided for all transportation as described in the itinerary.
Meals
•Breakfast each morning at the hotel
•Welcome dinner served at the hotel
•Farewell dinner served at a traditional Irish pub
Tour Manager
•A full-time Music Contact International tour manager to accompany your group during their entire stay, from arrival to departure
Performance Opportunities
•Friendship concert with other visiting and Irish choirs
•Competitive performance in applicable category or categories
•Sunday worship service and singing at a local church
•Singing workshop
Guided Tours & Special Events
•Guided tour of Dublin, including Trinity College and the Book of Kells
•Excursion to County Wicklow with visits to Powerscourt House and Gardens and Glendalough Monastic Site
Complimentary Places
•Two complimentary land packages for every 30 paying travelers in single rooms.
Complimentary Directors Orientation Trip
Fall 2022
Depart from North America.
Upon arrival in Ireland, your Music Contact International tour manager will greet you at the airport. Together, transfer to your hotel. There will be time to refresh from your journey before taking an orientation walk with sightseeing and time for lunch. View the venues, visit the hotels, see the sights, and meet other directors. Includes complimentary air travel from New York, double occupancy accommodations, and most meals. The weekend is an exciting opportunity to preview the components of the festival.
*The Complimentary Orientation Tour is an invaluable opportunity to preview the venues and hotels and to discuss program points of the festival. Your travel to Ireland is complimentary, including airfare from New York’s JFK Airport, accommodations, ground transportation, and most meals. This Orientation Tour is for the choir director or official representative of each registered choir. Participation is not required, although the weekend is extremely helpful for visualizing the components of the festival and seeing what else Ireland has to offer your choir. If you are unable to attend the Orientation Tour, Music Contact International is happy to relay any specific questions to the festival organizers on your behalf.
Additional Days Abroad
If your choir is interested in staying in Ireland or elsewhere in Europe for additional days, please let us know. We will be glad to offer an extension tour, with singing or without, according to your choir’s interests.
Extensions
Enhance your Fingal Festival experience with a two-night extension to Killarney and Limerick, Ireland!
When the Fingal International Festival of Voices concludes, continue on to the Irish countryside and experience Irish culture, history, music, and natural beauty at its best! A post-extension to Killarney and Limerick is the perfect way to end your stay in Ireland!
DAY ONE
Depart for Killarney, stopping en route at Blarney Castle, one of Ireland’s oldest and most historic fortresses. Explore the castle’s spectacular grounds and kiss the famed Blarney Stone. After free time to shop for traditional Irish goods at Blarney Woolen Mills, continue on to Killarney and check in to your hotel. An arrival dinner will be served in the hotel dining room.
DAY TWO
Following breakfast, check out of your hotel and enjoy a jaunting car ride through the stunning natural beauty of Killarney National Park. Next, take in the gorgeous coastal scenery of the Dingle Peninsula. Tonight, arrive in Limerick and check in to your hotel. Enjoy a festive farewell dinner including live music and entertainment at the Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet.
DAY THREE
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to the Shannon Airport and your return flight to North America.
When the Fingal International Festival of Voices concludes, continue on to the thriving bohemian city of Galway on Ireland’s west coast! This 500-year-old city of 50,000 inhabitants is one of the major centers of Gaelic studies, with store signs still written in the ancient language. Galway is a popular seaside destination with a lively city center full of colorful shops, restaurants, and traditional Irish music echoing through the cobblestone streets.
A post-extension to Galway is the perfect way to end your stay in Ireland!
DAY ONE
Depart for Galway, stopping en route at Clonmacnoise, a wonderful early Christian site founded by St. Ciarán in the mid-6th century on the eastern bank of the River Shannon. After, transfer to Galway and check in to your hotel. An arrival dinner will be served in the hotel dining room.
DAY TWO
Following breakfast, depart for the Cliffs of Moher. Drive through the Burren Region and see the limestone pavements that have been eroded to distinctive patterns. Arrive at the Cliffs of Moher and look out at one of the most impressive views in Ireland. Return to Galway, and stop along the way at Rathbaun Farm where you will become enchanted with its thatched cottage home, turf fire, stone walls, and an array of animals. Upon arrival in Galway, take some time to prepare for an evening concert. Perform a concert tonight at a historic venue such as the Galway Cathedral* or St. Nicholas Collegiate Church*. A festive farewell dinner will be arranged to complement your concert schedule.
DAY THREE
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to the Shannon Airport and your return flight to North America.
Two Night Extension to Killarney & Limerick
Enhance your Fingal Festival experience with a two-night extension to Killarney and Limerick, Ireland!
When the Fingal International Festival of Voices concludes, continue on to the Irish countryside and experience Irish culture, history, music, and natural beauty at its best! A post-extension to Killarney and Limerick is the perfect way to end your stay in Ireland!
DAY ONE
Depart for Killarney, stopping en route at Blarney Castle, one of Ireland’s oldest and most historic fortresses. Explore the castle’s spectacular grounds and kiss the famed Blarney Stone. After free time to shop for traditional Irish goods at Blarney Woolen Mills, continue on to Killarney and check in to your hotel. An arrival dinner will be served in the hotel dining room.
DAY TWO
Following breakfast, check out of your hotel and enjoy a jaunting car ride through the stunning natural beauty of Killarney National Park. Next, take in the gorgeous coastal scenery of the Dingle Peninsula. Tonight, arrive in Limerick and check in to your hotel. Enjoy a festive farewell dinner including live music and entertainment at the Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet.
DAY THREE
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to the Shannon Airport and your return flight to North America.
Two Night Extension to Galway
When the Fingal International Festival of Voices concludes, continue on to the thriving bohemian city of Galway on Ireland’s west coast! This 500-year-old city of 50,000 inhabitants is one of the major centers of Gaelic studies, with store signs still written in the ancient language. Galway is a popular seaside destination with a lively city center full of colorful shops, restaurants, and traditional Irish music echoing through the cobblestone streets.
A post-extension to Galway is the perfect way to end your stay in Ireland!
DAY ONE
Depart for Galway, stopping en route at Clonmacnoise, a wonderful early Christian site founded by St. Ciarán in the mid-6th century on the eastern bank of the River Shannon. After, transfer to Galway and check in to your hotel. An arrival dinner will be served in the hotel dining room.
DAY TWO
Following breakfast, depart for the Cliffs of Moher. Drive through the Burren Region and see the limestone pavements that have been eroded to distinctive patterns. Arrive at the Cliffs of Moher and look out at one of the most impressive views in Ireland. Return to Galway, and stop along the way at Rathbaun Farm where you will become enchanted with its thatched cottage home, turf fire, stone walls, and an array of animals. Upon arrival in Galway, take some time to prepare for an evening concert. Perform a concert tonight at a historic venue such as the Galway Cathedral* or St. Nicholas Collegiate Church*. A festive farewell dinner will be arranged to complement your concert schedule.
DAY THREE
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to the Shannon Airport and your return flight to North America.
Your Tour Includes
Traveler's Resource Website
The site is customized exclusively for your group and is full of exciting and interactive features that you will find informative and helpful before, during, and after the tour.
•Current tour itinerary with full descriptions of each day
•Recommended books, movies, websites, and videos
•Travel tips including packing lists, exchange rates, and climate charts
Online Payment System
Group leaders have the option to use our Online Payment System, which enables you to effortlessly collect payments for your trip. Group leaders receive weekly automated reports with traveler balances and due dates.
Travelers can log in to our secure website to review the cost of their trip and all payment deadlines, register for the trip, and make credit card payments. All travelers receive automated reminders when payments are coming due.
Additional Materials
•Customized handbook for each person traveling with your choir, including a detailed program and travel information.
•Electrical adapters*
•Luggage tags
•Passport holder*
*for international travelers