Hello Ross! It’s my pleasure to personally guide you through the fully customized itinerary that we’ve carefully curated for your trip to the historic, and musically rich destination of Ireland! In every aspect of your tour, your goals and desires are our priority, ensuring a travel experience that is as personalized as it is seamless. From our industry-leading protection plans and guaranteed rates that safeguard against the unexpected, to the unrivaled expertise of our tour managers who bring every destination to life, every detail is thoughtfully considered. What truly sets your experience apart are our dynamic venues, handpicked for their ability to enchant and engage, complete with guaranteed audiences to elevate every performance. This unique blend of meticulous planning, exclusive access, and comprehensive support ensures that your performance tour transcends the ordinary, making it a truly one-of-a-kind experience. Please note that my colleagues overseas are finalizing costs for the 2028 travel season and I will be able to send you two more tour options to consider mid-week next week. These will include a tour of Croatia and Slovenia, and a custom performance tour of Greece. I look forward to discussing all of these itineraries after that time. Welcome to Encore Tours, where your dream tour awaits. Visit Your TripSite Traveler Resources Park in front of the St. Mary’s Cathedral, Killarney, Ireland Your Encore Benefits Guaranteed Land Rates We do not raise our prices based on currency fluctuations in the marketplace. This alleviates any unwelcome currency surcharges during the planning period or immediately prior to travel. The Best Tour Managers Around Our Tour Managers are repeatedly evaluated and praised as being the best in educational travel, and they are available to you 24 hours per day. The tour manager stays in the same hotel as the group, and coordinates hotel check-ins, restaurant reservations, and concert venue availability and rehearsal time. These representatives also deliver the educational portion of the tour with detailed historical commentary during travel. Protection Plans for Everyone All participants are covered at no extra cost by our Basic Protection Plan covering health insurance overseas and trip cancellation/interruption in case of illness. Participants also have the option to upgrade to our Ultimate or Ultimate Plus plans, which include the ability to cancel for any reason up to four days before departure and still receive a full refund. Additionally, all Encore participants travel with an automatic $15,000 health protection plan. Financial Security Encore Tours and our parent company, ACIS, carry a $50 million general liability insurance policy to protect our groups. In addition, as an Active Member of the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA), we post a $1 million indemnity bond as part of USTOA’s Travelers Assistance Program. Tour Fundraiser Register 30 or more participants with Encore Tours and we will award your group a FREE weekend getaway for two to Paris or London over Veteran’s Day Weekend or Martin Luther King Day Weekend. We have had ensembles raise over $20,000 using this gift as a raffle prize. Domestic Fundraiser Info Sheet International Fundraiser Info Sheet Prelude Join Encore staff for our annual Prelude event, a free professional development weekend for ensemble directors and a guest that takes place in a different musically rich international destination. “Incredible! I cherished every moment. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime journey. Such experiences would have been impossible on my own. Being pampered in this manner and witnessing the professionalism and luxury that Encore embodies was an absolute delight.” – 2024 Prelude attendee Online Billing We are excited to offer the choice of group billing or direct billing and will gladly work with your preference. With group billing you will receive an invoice with each participant’s balance and payment due prior to the due date. If you decide to enroll your group in direct billing Encore will mail invoices to each participant for all payments due. Accounts can also be accessed 24 hours a day on our website and payments can be made online with MasterCard and Visa for no additional cost. This is the suggested payment plan, however you can adjust it according to the group’s needs. Automatic Payments Plan Encore offers an auto-pay option for all participants signed up for individual billing. Enrollment in the plan is free and funds are withdrawn from the participant’s checking account on a regular basis, with the last payment being processed 45 days prior to departure. 24-7 Overseas Coverage Encore has offices overseas in the event of an emergency. In addition, US staff are always available to ensure you are receiving a quality travel experience, before, during and after your concert tour. All land arrangements including concert bookings and promotion are provided directly by Encore’s affiliate offices, offering the highest quality services and the very best value to our clients. Graduate Level Credits Enhance your professional development! Directors and participants have the opportunity to earn graduate-level credits through their tour experience and participation in our Prelude events. These educational opportunities not only enrich your tour but also contribute to your lifelong learning and professional growth. Tour Inclusions Roundtrip airfare on a major Airline from Portland, flying into and out of Dublin Airport and airline taxes, and current fuel surcharges Accommodations at the conveniently located 4-star-hotels throughout Rooming in double-room occupancy. Breakfast at your hotel daily and dinners at local restaurants as outlined in the itinerary All sightseeing and entrances as featured in the itinerary Concert arrangements include venue hire and all pre-concert advertisement. Rehearsals and Performances are staffed by Encore Representatives overseas to ensure a professionally run event. Private deluxe air-conditioned motor coach and driver Services of a professional Tour Manager throughout your program Basic gratuities for the tour manager and bus drivers What’s Not Included? Baggage Fees imposed by the airlines Instrument stands Any Instrument Rental Extra Ground Transportation of Large Musical Instruments or other Performance Equipment Any meals not listed in your itinerary Programs for the concerts Allocations of specific seat assignments on flights SAMPLE VENUES Please note that venues are not confirmed until expressly stated by your Program Consultant. Choir Galway Cathedral Galway The Roman Catholic Galway Cathedral, with its construction having begun in 1958, is one of Europe’s youngest Cathedrals. The juxtaposition of Renaissance and traditional Christian art give this church an appealing, unique look. The building is the most outstanding in the entire city. A pipe organ was included in the original instruction and has since then been updated and expanded by Trevor Crowe, an organ builder from Ireland. The cathedral has a choir that was founded when the church was erected and during the summer they have a concert series. Choir Christ the King Church Galway Christ the King Church (Salthill Parish) in Galway is a welcoming Roman Catholic church set in the coastal suburb of Salthill, offering a meaningful and community-centered performance setting for visiting choirs. The church features a spacious interior with a central altar and domed design that provides warm, resonant acoustics well suited to choral music within a liturgical or concert context. Its active parish and engaged local audience create an authentic performance experience, while its location just outside Galway’s city center allows for easy access alongside a scenic coastal backdrop. Choir Saint Mary’s Church Killarney There is evidence of a church at the site St. Mary’s Church in Killarney as far back as the 1200s. The name of the town itself–Killarney (in Irish: Cill Airne)–means “Church of the Sloes.” Today, St. Mary’s is known for its wonderful acoustics and the beauty of its building. The church regularly hosts concerts of local artists as well as visiting choirs and orchestras from around the world. Band Choir Orchestra Dr. Mary Strangman Large Room Waterford The Dr. Mary Strangman Large Room, located within Waterford City Hall, serves as the principal venue for Waterford Music’s chamber concerts. Originally designed in the 18th century as a Georgian ballroom, it features a high ceiling, decorative stucco work, crystal chandeliers, and a musicians’ gallery. The venue houses Waterford Music’s own Steinway Model C piano and is noted for its excellent acoustics, making it ideal for chamber ensembles and recitals. Band Choir Orchestra Christ Church Cathedral Dublin Situated in medieval Dublin, Christ Church is not only the seat of the Roman Catholic archbishops but is also the seat of the Church of Ireland. Founded around 1028 the cathedral was rebuilt and renovated many times throughout history and is now accented by flying buttresses, high arching stone ceilings, and, most notably, the Grand Organ which appears to be floating in the air! The Cathedral is home to one of the most reputable choirs in Ireland whose origins trace back to 1493 when the choir school was founded. Pricing Options OPTION ONEIRELANDTravelers #2 Free 45Air and Land: $6039Land Only: $473940Air and Land: $6179Land Only: $433935Air and Land: $6339Land Only: $449930Air and Land: $6579Land Only: $4739 Based on “Land and Air” out of Portland flying into and out of Dublin or No Airfare/Land Only accommodating the group in double occupancy rooms. Payment Deadlines DateAmountNovember 15, 2026$750January 15, 2027$750May 15, 2027$1,000July 15, 2027 $1,000October 15, 2027$1,000January 15, 2028$1,000Final BalanceFebruary 15, 2028 Hotels Park House Hotel Galway Located in the heart of Galway City, the 4-star Park House Hotel blends traditional charm with modern comfort, offering elegantly appointed rooms, an award-winning restaurant, and a cozy bar just steps from Eyre Square—making it an ideal base for exploring the cultural and scenic highlights of western Ireland. Learn More The Tower Hotel Waterford Waterford In the heart of Waterford City, this 4-star hotel offers stunning views of the River Suir and a prime location opposite Reginald’s Tower. Just steps from the House of Waterford Crystal and Waterford Museum of Treasures, it provides easy access to a variety of shops and local attractions. Ideal for exploring South East Ireland, the hotel is a short drive from both Dublin and Rosslare Harbor. Guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi and parking, two restaurants, a riverside bar, and a 66-foot deck-level swimming pool. The leisure and fitness center includes a well-equipped gym and a separate kid’s pool, making it perfect for both relaxation and family fun. Learn More Clayton Hotel Leopardstown Dublin This 4-star hotel, nestled at the foothills of the Dublin mountains, provides the perfect balance between the vibrant city life of Dublin and the serene wilderness of Wicklow. Guests are treated to comfort in meticulously clean and expansive rooms, each equipped with flat screen TVs, plush pillows, cozy duvets, and facilities for making tea and coffee. The hotel also offers guests the opportunity to maintain their fitness routine in the gym, as well as options to dine and unwind at the on-site restaurant and bar. Learn More