Ireland Small Group Trip for Teachers
Ireland is a must-visit destination, and it’s especially magical the week of St. Patrick’s Day!
There’s so much to love about Ireland – rich history, a vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes.
And that’s before we even talk about the food and the beer!
St. Patrick’s Day is an exciting time to be there.
The streets come alive with parades that capture the very essence of Irish culture.
Imagine sharing this lively celebration with your students back home – bringing history and geography lessons to life with personal anecdotes and vivid pictures!
Ireland’s educational opportunities are vast, too.
Each city and village is steeped in history – from the ancient ruins of Newgrange to the hallowed halls of Trinity College in Dublin.
It’s a chance to tread the same paths as literary giants like Yeats and Joyce, which is especially great for English teachers (or anyone who appreciates great books, really!).
But it’s not all about history and literature.
Ireland’s stunning landscapes offer a natural canvas for lessons in geography and environmental science. The Cliffs of Moher, Giant’s Causeway, the Wild Atlantic Way, and all of the unnamed scenery in between… it’s a nature lover’s dream.
And the Irish people’s warm hospitality just makes it all the more special.
The Irish are storytellers at heart, and what better way to enjoy a story than by sharing a pint and a tale with a local in a cozy Irish pub?
On this trip, you won’t be just a tourist.
You’ll be a learner. An explorer. A person on an adventure.
So, pack your bags for what’s going to be THE best St. Patrick’s Day ever!!
Please note that this trip does not include airfare between your point of origin and Ireland.
We recommend flying in and out of Dublin.
Around this time of year, you can get flights for as little as $400 or $500 (often less!) from major airports.
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Available Dates and Spots
As of November 22nd, 2024, there are 5 spots left.
This is for our St. Patrick’s Day trip in March, of 2025.
Arrive into Dublin on Sunday, March 16th, 2025.
Depart Dublin on Saturday, March 22nd, 2025.
This is a special itinerary for the week of St. Patrick’s Day.
Interested in visiting Ireland with us this summer?
Click here to learn more about our other trips.
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What’s Included?
The following is included in this group trip package:
- On-the-ground Trip Host (a fellow or former teacher!)
- Accommodations for 6 nights
- Breakfast for Monday, March 17th through Saturday, March 22nd
- Help with arranging transport from DUB airport (costs of transport not included)
- All day tours and excursions unless mentioned otherwise
- All admissions for museums, historical sites, etc. on itinerary
- Transportation between cities when we’re moving as a group (i.e. metro, tram, train, etc).
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What’s NOT Included?
- Airfare
- Transportation to/from Dublin, Ireland
- Lunches (unless included on day tours)
- Dinners (unless included on day tours)
- Drinks (unless included on day tours)
- Tips or gratuities for meals or tours
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What to Expect
While every trip and group is different, we understand that knowing a bit about what to expect can reduce fear of the unknown.
So if you’re wondering what the day-to-day of a group trip with Traveling Teachers looks like, don’t miss this section!
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What’s Group Travel Like?
Group travel with other Traveling Teachers is like spending 24/7 with new best friends.
The best people come on these trips!
Since we intentionally keep our group trips small, there are no cliques or sub-groups on day tours and during excursions; we all hang out together.
The days are busy and full of adventure, but we also build in downtime for rest and/or solo exploration.
So if you do want to bring your bestie or significant other, there are times you’ll be able to hang out together/alone. But we all stay together during the day tours.
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What Are Accommodations Like?
For two nights, we’ll be staying in Dublin, at a hotel near the city center.
For two nights, we’re staying at B&B style accommodations in Galway.
For the last two nights, we’ll be back in Dublin.
The standard booking includes a shared room with two to three twin beds in each room.
If you’d prefer a room to yourself, you’ll have the option to upgrade at checkout.
Dublin will be where we spend the first couple of days recovering from jet lag and enjoying St. Patrick’s Day. Then, throughout the rest of the week, we will explore the rest of the country using arranged group tours and public transportation (Irish Rail trains, local Dublin D.A.R.T. metro system, etc).
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Cost & Payment Plans
You can pay for your trip in full using this booking page.
The total cost per person is $2,500.
However, if you book before November 30th, 2024, you can book for just $1,800.
These prices will go up as time goes on and early birds always get the best deal (we don’t run sales).
Prices will be:
- $1,800 per person before or on November 30th, 2024
- $2,000 per person before or on December 31st, 2024
- $2,200 per person before or on January 31st, 2025
- $2,500 per person on or after February 11st, 2025
*Note that this is based on double to triple occupancy (a shared room). If you’d like to have your own room, you can upgrade to a solo room at checkout.
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Refund and Trip Cancellation Policy
Refunds will not be issued for trip payments or deposits.
Note that, should a trip be cancelled by a traveler, a fee equal to the amount of the deposit will be charged.
We understand that things happen, and for this reason, we require every traveler to have personal travel insurance for the duration of their trip.
Your insurance policy must include travel to and from Ireland, including your flight(s).
You can read the full policy on trip booking terms, cancellations and refunds here at this link.
Entry Requirements for Ireland
Entry requirements for American citizens into the Republic of Ireland have changed several times since 2020.
Starting in 2025, every traveler coming from the U.S. will be required to complete ETIAS.
Don’t worry; we’ll host at least one session for travelers showing you how to complete it!
I will also send major updates as I receive them to travelers via email, and I’ll keep all of you updated here in the Traveling Teachers Community Facebook Group.
Visa and Passport Requirements
You must have a valid passport that’s valid for the duration of your stay in Ireland, and you must have at least one blank page.
We always recommend having at least six months left on the validity of your passport when you travel abroad.
When we visit Belfast and the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, we will leave the Republic of Ireland, since Northern Ireland is a separate country.
Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom.
However, because of the history between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, there isn’t a “hard border” between both countries. This means there’s minimal border control. We’ll learn more about this on our day tour through Northern Ireland!
When we cross over into Northern Ireland, you’ll notice that the Irish language disappears from official signage, and that speed limits are shown in miles per hour instead of in kilometers per hour.
Read more about the timeline and history between these countries here.
Overview
This itinerary is perfect for your first time to Ireland – and for anyone who wants to make friends on the trip of a lifetime. If you’ve been looking for small group tours in Ireland, you’re in the right place.
You’ll get a great sense of everything the Emerald Isle has to offer (including the Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland).
Some places of interest on this itinerary include Dublin, Belfast, Galway, the Cliffs of Moher, and Giant’s Causeway.
