Wexford Festival Opera

For over fifty years the small Irish fishing port of Wexford has been a place of annual pilgrimage for opera lovers from all over the world. The Festival has been described as ‘a wonderful children’s party for adults’, so enjoyable are the musical events, the small and intimate venues and the exceptionally warm hospitality of the people of Wexford.

Our seven day visit to southeast Ireland encompasses 3 opera performances (always of less often performed works) and a lunchtime recital in Wexford, plus a theatre performance and the celebrated ‘Literary Pub Crawl’ in Dublin. Walks in the scenic Wicklow mountains and along a deserted white sand beach are complemented by visits to an early monastic site, the magnificent formal gardens at Powerscourt and the James Joyce Museum in the Martello Tower at Sandycove.

Eschewing lunchtime picnics in autumn, we enjoy Guinness and smoked salmon sandwiches or delicious home made soups in traditional Irish pubs. Wonderfully comfortable country house hotels and a Georgian townhouse in the heart of historic Dublin are ideal bases from which to explore.

This year, on the 59th anniversary of the festival, and in the state-of-the-art, completely rebuilt Theatre Royal, we attend performances of the following operas:

‘VIRGINIA’ by Saverio Mercadente (1795 - 1870)

A lyric tragedy in 3 acts, sung in Italian. Premiered in the Teatro San Carlo in Naples on April 7th 1866.

‘THE GOLDEN TICKET’ by Peter Ash and Donald Sturrock

An opera based on Roald Dahl’s ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, sung in English, in a co- production with the Opera Theatre of St. Louis, commissioned by the American Lyric Theatre and Felicity Dahl. A European premiere.

‘HUBICKA/THE KISS’ by Bedrich Smetana (1824 - 1884)

An opera in 2 acts, sung in Czech. Premiered in Prague on November 7th 1876.

Please note that the Wexford Opera Festival events described in the itinerary are subject to change (exceptionally) by the organisers. Actual performances or their order may therefore vary from those described in the itinerary.

TRIP ITINERARY

DAY 1

L, D included

After meeting at Dublin airport by 12.00 noon we drive south and have a light lunch before visiting Powerscourt Gardens, dramatically set at the foot of Great Sugar Loaf Mountain. Undoubtedly amongst Europe’s finest gardens, the 20 hectare estate was first commissioned in the 1740s by Viscount Powerscourt and contains a delightful blend of formal gardens, lakes, statuary and Italianate terraces. We stay for the night in one of the oldest coaching inns in the country, with 5 generations of the same family providing exemplary 4 star hospitality for their guests. An Irish whiskey by the log fire is a welcome prelude to our first dinner of imaginatively prepared fresh local produce.

DAY 2

B, L, D included

A half hour’s drive west into the Wicklow mountains lies Gleann da Locha, ‘the valley of the two lakes’, one of the most significant early Christian sites in Ireland. Founded by St. Kevin in the 6C the monastery became a hub of learning in Europe and a place of pilgrimage for well over a thousand years. After exploring the remaining buildings, including the roofless 12C cathedral and the 110 foot high Round Tower which served as a lookout against Viking attacks, we walk above the lakes, enjoying waterfalls, ancient woodland ablaze with autumn colours, and splendid views if the weather is favourable. Those who wish may take the opportunity to shop in the village for fine Irish tweed and Arran knitware before a traditional pub lunch. Our 4 star hotel for the next three nights enjoys a marvellous riverside setting just outside Wexford. An early dinner precedes the first opera performance - as Ireland’s premier social event, each evening has a real sense of occasion (and evening dress is de rigeur).

DAY 3

B, L, D included

This morning’s walk is a 4 mile stretch of glorious white sand beach leading to the thatched whitewashed cottages of the fishing village of Kilmore Quay. In the harbour we look for Atlantic grey seals swimming near the fishing boats after a seafood lunch in a well known local pub. A peaceful afternoon back in the comfort of our hotel (or use of the spa facilities and swimming pool) prepares us for a candle-lit dinner before the second opera. On our return from the performance, puddings, cheese and wine are served.

DAY 4

B, L, D included

Just north of Wexford lie the Slobs, a wetland reserve of international importance where more than one third of the world population of Greenland White-fronted geese winter. After (optionally) birdwatching from the observation tower, we explore Wexford town on foot, noting the Viking fishbone street pattern and the evocative ruins of the 12C Selskar Abbey - King Henry II is said to have done penance here for the murder of Thomas a Becket in 1170. We attend a voice and piano recital in St. Iberius’ church (Neo-classical, with an unusual Venetian facade), followed by a light lunch, before returning to the hotel for another restful afternoon. Our third evening of opera again showcases a rarely performed work and voices of outstanding calibre at the beginning of their international careers.

DAY 5

B, L, D included

En route north to Dublin we follow the coast, pausing to visit the Martello Tower at Sandycove which houses the James Joyce Museum - the opening scene of Joyce’s masterpiece ‘Ulysses’ is set on the gun platform at the top of the tower. A memorable lunch in one of Ireland's most renowned fish restaurants is followed by an introductory walk through the historic centre of Dublin. After settling into our hotel, an ideally located and welcoming 5 star Georgian townhouse, we set off on foot on the highly entertaining Dublin Literary Pub Crawl - a couple of hours of actors presenting the city's literary legends and, naturally, imbibing!

DAY 6

B, D included

Today is left free for individual discovery of Dublin’s many cultural treasures - the possibilities include Trinity College and the famed mediaeval Book of Kells, Dublin Castle, the Chester Beatty Library with its unrivalled collection of Islamic, Chinese and Indian art, the National Museum displaying fabulous Prehistoric gold artefacts, traditional Irish music in Temple Bar, or a tour of the Guinness Hop Store. We reconvene for dinner in a Michelin-starred restaurant followed by a performance in one of the city’s excellent theatres (the Abbey or the Gate, depending upon current productions).

DAY 7

B included

Our visit to Ireland concludes today with a transfer to Dublin airport.

Price includes:

All accommodation for Days 1 through 7 on a twin shared basis

All meals with wine and beer at lunches and dinners, other than those excepted in the daily notation

All land transportation in a private vehicle as described except during free periods

All entrance and sightseeing fees except during free periods

Tickets for 3 evenings of opera performances and 1 recital in Wexford, plus 1 theatre performance and the Literary Pub Crawl in Dublin

Gratuities for hotel and restaurant staff

Visa and Health Requirements

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At present there are no specific and compulsory health requirements for entry to Ireland. Residents of countries in the EU can only claim free (emergency) medical treatment in Ireland by presenting their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which is issued in the UK by the Department of Health. You may also wish to check the advice given to travellers by the FCO.

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