Ireland Photography
Tour 2026
Ireland Photo Tour & Workshop, Sept 2026 – Wild Atlantic Way
Dunguaire Castle at dawn, County Galway. Photograph by Bret Culp.
September 13–21, 2026 · 9 Days / 8 Nights
A small-group photography tour through ancient landscapes shaped by dramatic coastal light.
Photograph Ireland’s Rugged Southwest on the Wild Atlantic Way
Stand beneath castle ruins older than memory. Walk where monks carved steps into stone 1,400 years ago. Capture sea-sprayed cliffs in golden hour light.
The mid-September light is softer, and misty mornings and coastal haze add atmosphere. This tour explores Ireland’s rugged southwest coast, led by Canadian fine art photographer Bret Culp, whose work is rooted in impermanence, renewal, and the passage of time.
Limited to 8 participants, this small-group photo tour and workshop blends guided photography with space for each participant’s own creative process. The pace is built around light and weather, with time for unplanned photographic stops and deeper work on location.
Dates are confirmed for September 13–21, 2026 (9 days / 8 nights), starting and ending near Shannon Airport.
Join the interest list to receive booking details as soon as they’re released.
Tour Overview
Location: Southwest and West Coast Ireland on the Wild Atlantic Way
Dates: September 13–21, 2026 (9 days / 8 nights)
Start/End: near Shannon Airport
Group size: 8 participants max (plus Bret Culp)
Accommodation: single-occupancy rooms (curated mix of hotels and select guesthouses/B&Bs chosen for location and character)
Transport: dedicated Mercedes Sprinter touring minibus with experienced local driver + all scheduled sea crossings
Price: Targeting CAD $5,500 per person
Where the Tour Goes – Landscapes, Ruins & Remote Wonders
The tour moves through Ireland’s southwest across coast, islands, and inland ruins. Daily routing stays flexible to allow for light-driven decisions and unplanned photographic stops.
These photographs, captured by Bret Culp on earlier visits, reflect the textured beauty and history of locations on the 2026 itinerary.
See more of Bret’s work from Ireland [View Ireland Portfolio→]
These are some of the remarkable locations on the itinerary. Specific locations may shift in response to weather, light, and access.
Skellig Michael: UNESCO World Heritage Site with a 6th-century monastery perched high above the Atlantic
Ring of Kerry: Castles, forts, standing stones, and raw coastline
Killarney National Park: Lakes, mountains, abbeys, waterfalls
Dingle Peninsula: Sea cliffs, monastic sites, coastal villages
The Burren: Limestone pavement, ancient tombs, stark terrain
Cliffs of Moher: Including quieter perspectives near Hag’s Head
Aran Islands: Stone walls, forts, shipwreck, and village life
What’s Included and Not Included
This tour is structured so you can focus on photographing. Logistics are organised in advance, while daily shooting plans remain responsive to weather and light.
Included
9 days / 8 nights of guided photography with Bret Culp
Small group: 8 participants max (plus Bret Culp)
Dedicated Mercedes Sprinter touring minibus with an experienced local driver
All scheduled ferries and sea crossings included in the itinerary
8 nights of single-occupancy accommodation for participants (reserved across the route)
Entry to select heritage sites included in the itinerary
On-location guidance, critique, and one-on-one coaching throughout the tour
Curated routing designed around light, weather, access, and time on location
Post-tour Zoom session for image sharing and critique
Not Included
Flights to and from Ireland (the tour starts and ends near Shannon Airport)
Travel insurance (required)
Lunches and dinners (breakfast where provided by the accommodation)
Camera gear and personal equipment (tripods, filters, etc.)
An optional extra night near Shannon may be offered for early departures. This is not part of the core tour and would be priced separately.
FAQ
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It’s both: a small-group photo tour first, with a workshop emphasis through daily guidance, coaching, and critique. The pace is built around light, weather, and time on location rather than a rigid tourist schedule.
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Yes. Single-occupancy rooms are planned for all participants throughout the tour.
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The tour starts and ends near Shannon Airport. Exact meeting and drop-off details will be provided before the tour commences.
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The package includes a dedicated Mercedes Sprinter touring minibus with an experienced local driver, all scheduled sea crossings, single-occupancy accommodation, breakfast, local logistics and coordination, and Bret’s daily photographic guidance, coaching, and critique. It also includes a post-tour Zoom session for image sharing and critique.
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Flights and lunches/dinners are not included.
Travel insurance is required. At minimum, it must include emergency medical coverage and medical evacuation/repatriation for the full dates of travel. Trip cancellation/interruption coverage is strongly recommended.
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Skellig Michael is weather-dependent. If a crossing is cancelled due to conditions or access, the tour will pivot to strong alternate locations and shooting opportunities in the region.
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The tour is designed for photographers who want a measured pace, strong locations, and structured guidance. Participants should be comfortable working in changing weather and adapting to light and conditions.
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The tour involves walking on uneven ground at many locations, and specific demands vary by site and weather. Skellig Michael, if conditions allow, requires climbing roughly 700 steep stone steps and walking on exposed, uneven terrain. A fuller outline of physical demands by location will be provided in the itinerary outline sent before booking opens.
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Join the interest list on the tour page. Booking steps (deposit/payment schedule) and the itinerary outline will be emailed to the interest list before booking opens.
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Yes. An optional final night near Shannon can be added separately and will be priced as an add-on.
Who This Tour Is For
Photographers from committed beginner to advanced
Travellers who value depth over speed and tourism
Artists drawn to atmosphere, history, and weathered places
Those who find inspiration in ruins, coastlines, and ancient places
Anyone able to manage moderate walking on uneven, coastal terrain
People who value shared experience but appreciate time to work independently
All experience levels are welcome.
Want to Join Bret Culp’s Ireland Photo Tour 2026?
This tour is limited to a small group. For first access to the itinerary outline and booking details, fill out the form below.
No commitment at this stage.
Prefer email. Contact Bret at [info@bretculp.com].
About Bret Culp
Bret Culp is a Canadian fine art photographer whose work explores impermanence, memory, and the passage of time. His photographs focus on landscapes, ruins, and environments shaped by weather, history, and human presence.
Alongside his photography practice, Bret has spent over three decades working in film and television as a visual effects supervisor and director. During his years working in Ireland on The Tudors and Camelot, he developed a deep familiarity with the country’s landscapes, light, and less-travelled locations. That experience continues to inform how he moves through Ireland photographically.
Bret’s approach to teaching emphasizes observation, patience, and working thoughtfully with changing conditions rather than chasing volume or spectacle. The focus is on developing a personal way of seeing, refining decision-making in the field, and producing work that holds up beyond the moment.
Throughout the tour, Bret will work closely with participants on location, offering practical guidance and considered critique while leaving space for individual process and interpretation.
Questions?
Questions are welcome. Email Bret at [info@bretculp.com], or use the form above.