Scotland – Islands and Highlands, Cities and Lowlands

May 9-19Join Mick and a host of Scottish scholars and musicians on a memorable tour which will start in the warm city of Glasgow famed for its extraordinary industrial history and continue along fabled Loch Lomond to the Western Part of Argyll and the beautiful port town of Oban. Take ferries from Oban to South Uist in the Outer Hebrides and spend two days there with a top Scottish scholar who will lead you through the oldest and most enigmatic antiquities in the area with music concerts every night featuring some of the oldest and most beautiful Gallic traditional styles in the islands. From there take another ferry to Lewis, the repository of the some of the artistically advanced music and singing traditions in the whole of the Western Isles. Then off to the beautiful Isle of Skye with magical antiquities and castles famed in Scottish folklore. After leaving the island take the long scenic meander-ing road along Loch Ness to the town of Inverness. Next stop on the tour is the eerie site of Culloden where Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite Rebellion he lead went down to defeat heralding the end of Highland culture and ascendency. Then journey through mountains and glens to the picture postcard village of Dunkeld and nearby Atholl Castle with its stunning vistas. On then to beautiful Edinburgh where the journey ends. The scenery will be majestic and unforgettable on this tour and the hotels homey and welcom-ing and as usual we will close every day with the best of Scottish music and dance.

All the Mighty Munster CountiesMay 22-June 1

Mick and his friends will begin this tour in storied Ennis in the heart of County Clare, the most famous place in Ireland for great traditional music. Then head south via Limerick City and the picturesque towns of Adare, Newcastle West and Rathkeale to beautiful Killarney, long renowned for its gorgeous lakes and dells. Drive around the Ring of Kerry famed the world over for its beauty and enchanting ocean vistas and visit a host of antiquities hidden away off the normal tourist trail. Stop at the great 19th century mansion of Derrynane and learn about the legendary Dan O’Connoll who led the successful non-violent

go to Cork and meet up there with Jimmy Crowley, the bard of Cork himself, who will lead the group on grassroots tours of the area. Enjoy special thematic concerts with Jimmy, Mick and invited guests every night. Visit the Queen-stown Heritage Center in nearby Cobh and learn about all the emigration that took place from Ireland over two centuries. On to Waterford and South Kilkenny where the group will be taken around this most fascinating part of Ireland by Jack Burtchaell, the legendary cultural geographer who knows every square meter of this territory with its complex history and makes it all sound entertaining. Then back through the Golden Vale of Ireland via storied Cahir Castle and County Tipperary and Limerick to Ennis where the Fleadh Nua (New Festival) will be in full swing. In between trips to West Clare and the Burren there will be wall to wall music almost around the clock to end the tour in the best possible fashion.

Travel off the beaten track into the Hidden Ireland and Scotland rarely seen by tourists and visitors with Mick Moloney, Professor of music and -

tory and culture of these two

Mick Moloney’s Irish Cultural Tours

For more information and detailed itineraries, please contact Mick:215 806 3508moloney.mick@gmail.com www.mickmoloney.com