Ireland Photography
Tour & Workshop 2026
Ireland Photography Tour & Workshop 2026
Dunguaire Castle at dawn, County Galway (on the itinerary). Photograph by Bret Culp.
Wild Atlantic Way | September 13–21, 2026
9 Days / 8 Nights · 8 Photographers Max · Single Rooms
Booking Now Open
A Small-Group Photography Tour in Southwest Ireland
This small-group Ireland photography tour and workshop is designed for photographers who want serious time on location, not a rushed checklist of scenic stops.
From September 13–21, 2026, you’ll travel through southwest and western Ireland along a carefully paced Wild Atlantic Way route shaped by strong locations, changing weather, and real working time in the field. With just 8 participants, single-occupancy rooms throughout, dedicated transport, and a route built from years of photographing Ireland, the trip is designed to give you both structure and photographic freedom.
Why Travel in Ireland With Bret
This tour is built from years spent living, working, and photographing in Ireland, including extended time there during the production of The Tudors and Camelot. Bret’s approach is shaped by deep familiarity with the country, a fine art photographer’s eye, and a pace designed for serious image-making rather than rushed sightseeing.
His work has appeared on the cover of PhotoEd Magazine and has also been featured in LensWork and Black & White Magazine. With only 8 participants, the tour allows for meaningful guidance, carefully chosen locations, and time to respond to light, weather, and place.
What Past Participants Have Said
“That was such a great experience. Thanks for getting us to Skellig.”
— D.J. Rycroft
“I sure had an awesome time — many thanks to Bret for all of his preparation.”
— Jim Nagy
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, plus scheduled sea crossings
Price: CAD $5,500 per person
Where the Tour Goes
The route moves through southwest and western Ireland along a line shaped by coastlines, ruins, remote landscapes, shifting weather, and places with visual depth and historical presence.
Rather than trying to cover everything, the tour focuses on a carefully chosen group of locations that reward time, attention, and repeat looking, including the Skellig region, the Dingle Peninsula, the Burren, and the Aran Islands.
Mulgrave Barracks, County Kerry
O’Brien’s Castle, Aran Islands
Valentia Island, County Kerry
Slea Head, Dingle Peninsula
Skellig Michael, County Kerry
Skellig Michael, County Kerry
Skellig Michael, County Kerry
Poulnabrone Dolmen, County Clare
Itinerary
The route is designed to balance strong locations, time on site, and the flexibility to respond to weather, light, and group priorities as the trip unfolds.
At a Glance
Day 1: Shannon to Adare and the Skellig Coast, overnight in Portmagee at The Moorings
Day 2: Skellig Michael attempt, Valentia Island and the Ring of Kerry, overnight in Portmagee at The Moorings
Day 3: Skellig backup day, Valentia Island and the Ring of Kerry to Killarney, overnight Killarney at Killarney Court Hotel
Day 4: Killarney area to Dingle, overnight in Dingle at Barr na Sráide Inn
Day 5: Dingle Peninsula, including Slea Head and Conor Pass, time in Dingle town, overnight in Dingle at Barr na Sráide Inn
Day 6: Tarbert to Killimer ferry, Cliffs of Moher and Hag’s Head, Burren National Park, overnight Ballyvaughan at Hylands Burren Hotel
Day 7: Doolin to the Aran Islands, Inisheer (Inis Oírr) stop, continue to Inishmore (Inis Mór), overnight Inishmore at Pier House Guest Bed & Breakfast
Day 8: Inishmore (Inis Mór), island day, overnight Inishmore at Pier House Guest Bed & Breakfast
Day 9: Ferry to the mainland, Burren coastline stops, return near Shannon Airport
Sequence and specific stops may adjust due to weather, access, and group pace and preferences.
Download the Detailed Itinerary →
Interested in joining this 2026 tour?
If the trip feels like a fit, request your place below. With only 8 participants, places are intentionally limited.
Booking & Payment
The tour price is CAD $5,500 per person, plus flights.
To request a place, complete the booking form below. I’ll follow up by email to confirm availability and send deposit instructions. A 25% non-refundable deposit (CAD $1,375) secures your place. The remaining balance is due on July 15, 2026.
Places are limited to 8 participants. Single-occupancy accommodation is included throughout. Travel insurance is required.
If the tour is cancelled by the organiser, all payments received will be refunded in full.
Physical Demands
This tour is designed for participants who are comfortable with a moderate level of physical activity over multiple consecutive days.
Photographing in these locations may involve uneven ground, stone paths, grass, gravel, coastal terrain, stairs, ferry travel, changing weather, and carrying camera gear day to day.
Skellig Michael, if sea conditions allow landing, is the most physically demanding part of the tour. Reaching the monastery involves climbing more than 600 steep, uneven stone steps with few handrails. This climb is entirely optional.
This tour is not suitable for those with significant mobility limitations or anyone who would be uncomfortable walking on uneven ground and managing full days on location.
Arrival & Departure
The tour begins near Shannon Airport on Sunday, September 13, 2026, with a planned group departure at approximately 10:30 a.m.
The tour is expected to return near Shannon Airport by approximately 3:00 p.m. on Monday, September 21, 2026.
Detailed meeting instructions and final timing will be sent to confirmed participants in advance. Participants booking flights should review schedules carefully and allow adequate time on both ends of the tour.
Day-By-Day Details
Day 1: Sunday, September 13
Shannon to the Skellig Coast
We meet near Shannon Airport and travel southwest via Limerick to Adare, founded in the 13th century and known for thatched cottages and castle and church ruins.
From there, we continue to the Iveragh Peninsula section of the Ring of Kerry, with selected stops such as Ballycarbery Castle. Along the route are stone circles, Ogham standing stones, Iron Age forts, beaches, islands, and small colourful villages.
Portmagee will be our base for exploring the Skellig region over the next two days.
Overnight (2 nights): The Moorings, Portmagee, an award-winning harbourfront boutique hotel.
Day 2: Monday, September 14
Skellig Michael and the Skellig Coast
Subject to sea conditions, we attempt a landing on Skellig Michael, a sheer Atlantic rock pinnacle and UNESCO World Heritage Site. A 6th-century monastery clings to the cliff in dry-stone cells and terraces. Reaching the monastery is optional and involves more than 600 steep stone steps. Those who prefer not to ascend, or are unable to, can remain at lower levels on the island.
Back on the mainland, we continue through the Skellig region, with time on Valentia Island and nearby locations along the Ring of Kerry.
Overnight: The Moorings, Portmagee (second night).
Day 3: Tuesday, September 15
Skellig Coast to Killarney
If sea conditions prevented the visit on Day 2, we will attempt access to Skellig Michael today. We spend time on Valentia Island, then continue through the Ring of Kerry as we make our way toward Killarney.
Valentia Island offers rugged Atlantic coastline, harbour viewpoints, and quiet back roads. The Skellig region and the Ring of Kerry include coastal viewpoints and historic sites, including Uragh Stone Circle, forts, castles, and abbey ruins.
We arrive in Killarney in the evening after a day shaped by the Skellig region, Valentia Island, and selected Ring of Kerry stops.
Overnight: Killarney Court Hotel, Killarney.
Day 4: Wednesday, September 16
Killarney to Dingle
We photograph the Killarney area, with time at Ross Castle, Muckross Abbey ruins, Torc Waterfall, the Gap of Dunloe, Molly’s Cottage, and Ladies View. Ladies View was named after Queen Victoria’s ladies-in-waiting during her 1861 visit and is traditionally associated with the line, “This is the finest view in all the realm.”
Later, we continue west to Dingle town on the Dingle Peninsula. Dingle is a lively historic port known for traditional music, pubs, culinary excellence, and an artistic atmosphere. It sits within a Gaeltacht region, where Irish is spoken day to day in the community.
Overnight (2 nights): Barr na Sráide Inn, Dingle, a family-run guesthouse and pub on Main Street in the heart of town.
Day 5: Thursday, September 17
Dingle Peninsula
We spend the day on the Dingle Peninsula photographing Slea Head and Conor Pass, with time for stops at beehive structures, Dunquin Pier, several castle ruins, and coastal and mountain viewpoints.
Back in Dingle town, there is time to photograph the harbour and streets, rest, edit, or continue independent shooting before the following day’s route north.
Overnight: Barr na Sráide Inn, Dingle (second night).
Day 6: Friday, September 18
Dingle to The Burren
We depart Dingle and travel north, crossing the Shannon estuary by ferry between Tarbert and Killimer, then continuing into County Clare.
At the Cliffs of Moher, we walk out toward Hag’s Head and the signal tower for a less-visited perspective of the cliffs and sea arches.
From there, we continue into Burren National Park and its stark limestone landscape, including the Poulnabrone portal tomb, which is older than the pyramids. Other stops may include Kilfenora Cathedral with its high crosses, ancient stone forts, and Leamaneh Castle.
Overnight (1 night): Hylands Burren Hotel, Ballyvaughan.
Day 7: Saturday, September 19
Doolin to the Aran Islands
We travel to Doolin and take the ferry to the Aran Islands, where the landscape includes dramatic sea cliffs, limestone terrain, and an extensive network of hand-built stone walls.
We disembark first on Inisheer (Inis Oírr), the smallest of the three islands, for a brief visit. Key stops include the Plassey shipwreck and O’Brien’s Castle ruins.
We then continue on to Inishmore (Inis Mór), the largest island and our base for the next two days.
The Aran Islands are culturally distinctive because their geographic isolation has helped preserve Irish language, traditional island life, and local crafts that have changed elsewhere.
Overnight (2 nights): Pier House Guest Bed & Breakfast, Inishmore.
Day 8: Sunday, September 20
Inishmore
We spend the day on Inishmore photographing rugged limestone landscapes, prehistoric stone forts, and early Christian ruins.
Key stops are Dún Aengus, a massive prehistoric stone fort at the cliff edge about 100 metres above the Atlantic, the Wormhole (Poll na bPéist), a naturally formed rectangular tidal pool carved into the limestone, and the Puffing Holes (Na Poill Seideáin), where seawater is forced up through channels in the rock.
We also visit St Benan’s Church (Teampall Bheanáin). Set high above Killeany Bay, it is reputed to be the smallest church in Ireland.
Overnight: Pier House Guest Bed & Breakfast, Inishmore (second night).
Day 9: Monday, September 21
Aran Islands to Shannon
We take the ferry back to the mainland, then continue through the Burren on our way to Shannon. The route offers additional limestone terrain and coastal viewpoints, with time for selected stops before the tour concludes near Shannon Airport in late afternoon.
What’s Included and Not Included
This tour is designed so you can focus on photographing. Logistics are organised in advance; daily shooting plans stay responsive to weather and the group’s priorities.
Included
The tour price covers the core logistics and guidance needed for the trip. A few items remain separate, mainly personal travel costs, most meals, and weather-dependent extras.
9 days / 8 nights of guided photography with Bret Culp
Small group: 8 participants maximum
Dedicated Mercedes Sprinter touring minibus with an experienced local driver
All scheduled ferries included in the itinerary
8 nights of single-occupancy accommodation
Breakfast each morning
Entry to select heritage sites included in the itinerary
On-location guidance, critique, and one-on-one support throughout the tour
A post-tour Zoom session for image review, questions, and follow-up
Not Included
Flights to and from Shannon, Ireland
Travel insurance
Lunches, dinners, drinks, and snacks
Camera equipment and personal gear
Optional Skellig Michael landing trip fee, payable on the day if conditions allow landing
Personal purchases and any costs outside the tour itinerary
Who This Tour Is For
This tour is designed for photographers who want a more deliberate week in the field, with strong locations, serious working time, and guidance that responds to conditions rather than forcing a rushed schedule.
It is especially well-suited to photographers who:
are drawn to coastlines, ruins, layered history, and places with visual depth
want a small group with room for both shared experience and independent image-making
are comfortable adapting to weather, uneven terrain, ferry travel, and full days on location
value thoughtful guidance over a fast-moving checklist approach
have a serious interest in making stronger photographs in response to place and conditions
This is not designed as a general sightseeing tour with brief photo stops.
About Bret Culp
Bret Culp is a Canadian fine art photographer and visual effects supervisor based in Ontario. He first spent extended time in Ireland while working there on The Tudors and Camelot, and has returned repeatedly over the years to photograph its coastlines, ruins, remote landscapes, and shifting weather. This tour grows directly out of that long experience of travelling, working, and photographing in Ireland.
His work was featured on the cover of PhotoEd Magazine in Fall 2024, with an accompanying article and photo spread, and has also appeared in LensWork and Black & White Magazine. His photographs have been shown in exhibitions in Canada and internationally, and his limited-edition prints are held in private collections.
In the field, Bret works closely with participants while leaving room for each person’s own pace, interests, and way of seeing. The emphasis is on clear guidance, honest feedback, and making stronger photographs in response to place, weather, and conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
It is both. The trip is built around photographing strong locations in southwest and western Ireland, with guidance, feedback, and one-on-one support throughout. There is room for both shared group experience and independent image-making.
-
Yes. Accommodation is based on single occupancy throughout the tour.
-
No. You do not need to be advanced, but you should be comfortable using your camera independently and ready to work outdoors in changing weather, uneven terrain, and full days on location.
-
Skellig Michael is always weather and sea dependent. If conditions prevent the crossing or landing, the day will shift to other strong photographic locations in the region.
-
The tour involves a moderate level of physical activity over multiple days, including uneven ground, stairs, and coastal terrain. Full details are outlined in the Physical Demands section above.
-
Bret will offer on-location guidance, feedback, and one-on-one support throughout the tour, while leaving room for each participant’s own pace, interests, and way of seeing.
Now Booking
Booking is now open for September 13–21, 2026.
Complete the form below to request your place. I’ll follow up by email to confirm availability and send deposit instructions. Your place is secured once the deposit has been received.
Questions before submitting? Email Bret at info@bretculp.com.
-
Please review the booking terms below before submitting your request.
1. Tour Details
Tour: Ireland Photo Tour & Workshop 2026
Dates: September 13–21, 2026
Contact: info@bretculp.com2. Price and Payment
The tour price is CAD $5,500 per person. A 25% non-refundable deposit (CAD $1,375) is required to reserve your place. The remaining balance is due on July 15, 2026. A booking is not confirmed until the organiser has accepted the participant’s booking request and the deposit has been received.3. Booking Requests and Confirmation
Submitting a booking request does not guarantee a place. Places are offered subject to availability and organiser approval. If a booking request is accepted, the organiser will provide confirmation and deposit instructions. A place is confirmed only when the deposit has been received.4. Participant Cancellation
The deposit is non-refundable, except if the organiser cancels the tour or in the specific circumstances set out below.If a participant cancels before July 15, 2026, any amounts paid beyond the deposit will be refunded.
If the tour is fully booked with 8 participants and a participant cancels, and that cancelled place is taken before the tour begins by another participant whose booking is accepted and whose required deposit is received, the organiser will refund amounts paid by the cancelled participant, less any unrecoverable costs and administrative charges actually incurred.
5. Organiser Cancellation
If the organiser cancels the tour, all payments received by the organiser for the tour will be refunded in full. The organiser is not responsible for airfare, travel insurance, personal expenses, or other third-party costs booked separately by the participant.6. Minimum Participation and Operational Viability
The tour is offered subject to sufficient participation and operational viability. The organiser reserves the right to cancel the tour before departure if minimum participation or operational requirements are not met.7. Itinerary Changes and Force Majeure
The itinerary, route, schedule, accommodations, transport arrangements, ferries, sea crossings, site access, and specific photographic stops may change due to weather, sea conditions, local closures, safety considerations, supplier changes, force majeure, or the practical needs of the group. The organiser will make reasonable efforts to provide suitable alternatives where possible, but no refund or price reduction will be due for such changes.If force majeure or other circumstances beyond the organiser’s reasonable control prevent the tour from operating in a commercially and practically viable manner, the organiser reserves the right to cancel the tour. In that event, the organiser will refund all amounts paid by the participant that can reasonably be refunded after deduction of unrecoverable costs already paid or committed to third-party suppliers.
8. Skellig Michael
Any visit to Skellig Michael is strictly weather and sea dependent and subject to local operator decisions and landing permissions. Landing is not guaranteed. Any Skellig Michael landing fee, where applicable, is not included in the tour price and is payable separately as described on the tour page.9. Inclusions and Exclusions
The tour price includes guided photography with Bret Culp, ground transportation as described, scheduled ferries and sea crossings included in the itinerary, single-occupancy accommodation, breakfast, select site entry as described, and the post-tour Zoom session. The tour price does not include airfare, travel insurance, lunches, dinners, drinks, camera equipment, personal purchases, optional Skellig Michael landing fees, or costs outside the published itinerary.10. Travel Insurance
Participants are required to obtain their own travel insurance, including coverage for trip cancellation, interruption, medical emergencies, and personal property. Proof of insurance may be requested by the organiser.11. Travel Documents and Flights
Participants are responsible for arranging and paying for their own travel to and from the tour start and end area near Shannon Airport, and for ensuring that they hold valid passports and any other required travel documentation.12. Assumption of Risk
By booking the tour, the participant acknowledges that travel and outdoor photography involve inherent risks, including but not limited to slips, falls, personal injury, serious injury, illness, death, changing weather, rough ground, steps, coastal edges, ferry or boat travel, transport delays, and other unforeseen hazards. The participant voluntarily assumes these risks.13. Release and Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, the participant releases and holds harmless the organiser, Bret Culp, Bret Culp Photography, and their contractors, employees, and representatives from liability for loss, damage, injury, delay, inconvenience, or expense arising from participation in the tour, except where caused by their gross negligence or wilful misconduct. The participant is responsible for their own acts and omissions and will indemnify the organiser against losses caused by the participant’s negligence, misconduct, or breach of these terms.14. Photography During the Tour
The organiser may take behind-the-scenes photographs during the tour. No participant image will be used publicly for promotional purposes without permission.15. Governing Law
These terms are governed by the laws of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable in Ontario.16. Entire Agreement and Severability
These terms, together with the information provided on the booking page and the organiser’s written booking confirmation, form the agreement between the participant and the organiser. If any provision is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in effect.