After clearing Immigration and Customs procedures, the group will be met by your national guide for the transfer to city center. 

On arrival enjoy a panoramic tour of Dublin City. Discover the north and south side of the river Liffey. This area offers great striking monuments such as the GPO (General Post Office) on the city main thoroughfare, O'Connell Street, or the Custom House along the quays, as well as the Phoenix Park, the largest public park in Europe. The south side appears more sophisticated with its vast Georgian squares, such as Merrion Square, where Oscar Wilde’s House can still be found (today owned by an American College), its colorful doors, along with Grafton Street and its quality shops. Not so far from St. Stephen’s Green, in Kildare St., you will see the house of Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula. 

Lunch is by individual arrangement today. 

Visit EPIC, The Museum of Irish Emigration. EPIC is a state-of-the-art interactive experience located in the beautiful vaults of the 1820 Custom House Quarter building in Dublin’s Docklands, the original departure point for so many of Ireland’s emigrants. It will inspire and guide you on a journey to discover the stories of Irish emigration around the world, from early times to the modern day.

The Iveagh Garden Hotel is a modern take on traditional luxury in an urban oasis just steps from Grafton Street. They offer onsite casual dining with a bar and bistro and access to a nearby health club for a small fee. Guest rooms have flat-screen TV, laptop safe, luxury amenities, free Wi-Fi, USB charging station and coffee & tea maker.

Enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel this evening.

Overnight: Iveagh Garden Hotel (or similar)

Included meals: Dinner

After breakfast, the group will head out for a guided tour of the National Library of Ireland and discussions with the director of the facility. With over eight million items in its collection, the National Library of Ireland in Dublin city is home to the most comprehensive compilation of Irish documentary material in the world.

The primary objective for this trip for U.S. librarians is to explore Ireland’s libraries to get a better understanding of their successes in meeting their specific missions; to learn about any innovations they have developed; to hear the major challenges and issues they are dealing with in their libraries; and to identify potential collaboration/partnerships.

After lunch at a local restaurant head to Trinity College for a guided tour of the Book of Kells exhibit and Old Library. Learn about the redevelopment project and more about the history of the college. Trinity was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I and is the oldest university in Ireland. 

Next enjoy a tour of the Chester Beatty Library which houses the collections of mining magnate, Sir Alfred Chester Beatty. Their Sacred Traditions collection has sacred texts, illuminated manuscripts and miniature painting from the world’s great religions and system of believe. This has been called one of the best museums in Ireland, perhaps in Europe by Lonely Planet. 

Return to the hotel for the evening free and dinner by individual arrangement. 

Overnight: Iveagh Garden Hotel (or similar)

Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Today head out to for a guided tour of the Museum of Literature of Ireland and a literary tour of Dublin. Discover Ireland's rich literary heritage from past to present in the historic UCD Newman House on St Stephen's Green in the heart of Dublin. Explore exhibitions that tell the story of Ireland’s renowned literary heritage from the past through to the present with a focus on Ireland’s most famous writer, James Joyce. Dublin City is rich in literary history beyond the walls of MoLI. Time permitting unleash your inner Leopold Bloom as you are joined by an expert tour guide for a private literary walking tour of Dublin.

Lunch is by individual arrangement today. 

This afternoon take part in a series of meetings and library visits organized by the Library Association of Ireland. Lorna Dodd is the Deputy Director at the UCD Library at University College Dublin and is the Vice President of the Library Association of Ireland and will be assisting with these arrangements. More information will be provided closer to travel including the various libraries and staff that will be available to meet with the group. 

Enjoy dinner at a local pub/restaurant. 

Overnight: Iveagh Garden Hotel (or similar)

Included meals: Breakfast & Dinner

After breakfast, check out and depart for Belfast. In route, enjoy a hands-on farmhouse baking experience with Tracey in her 18th century thatched cottage on the shores of Strangford Lough. Tracey will teach all about the traditional Irish baking and walk you through the steps to make your very own goody like Irish fruit soda cake, potato bread (or fudge as it is known locally) or Soda bread. 

You will not only leave with all your handmade goodies, but also all the yummy recipes so you can bake for your friends when you get home. 

Continue to Belfast, Northern Ireland. Upon arrival enjoy a tour and discussions at the Linen Hall Library. Since 1788, they have been opening minds in the city and beyond, promoting the pursuit of knowledge and preserving world-renowned collections for residents and visitors. They have several collections with the Northern Ireland Political Collection being the most interesting. Chat about topics of mutual interest with their staff this afternoon including some of the innovations happening in Irish libraries and the history of Linen Hall as the oldest in Belfast. 

Head to the hotel to check in at the Ten Square Hotel. Located in the heart of the city this 4* hotel combines relaxed elegance with a warm and welcoming environment. Guest rooms have free Wi-Fi and all the amenities you will need for a comfortable stay including onsite dining. 

Overnight with dinner on your own. 

Overnight: Ten Square Hotel (or similar)

Included meals: Breakfast & Goodies at Tracey's for lunch

Enjoy discussions and a tour of the four City Chapter libraries as time permits today in nearby Armagh. This will include Armagh City Library, Armagh Robinson Library, Cultural Heritage Library Armagh and Cardinal O’Fiach Library and Archive. Armagh Robinson Library is the oldest library in Northern Ireland, was founded in 1771 by Archbishop Richard Robinson as part of his plans to establish a university and to improve Armagh city. 

They will invite some local librarians to meet with the group for discussions of interest (or a panel session of sorts will be coordinated at one of the libraries with time to tour the others).

Enjoy lunch on your own this afternoon. 

Head out this afternoon for a Belfast panoramic tour, an excellent way to discover the city and see some of the iconic sites like Albert Memorial Clock Tower, the Opera House, City Hall, and more. Drive past other sites of interest like the Crown Bar and Botanic Gardens.

Head back to the hotel with dinner at the hotel.

Overnight: Ten Square Hotel (or similar)

Included meals: Breakfast & Dinner

After breakfast, check out and head to Derry. In route you will take an inspiring journey through the life and work of one of Ireland’s greatest poets during a visit to Seamus Heaney Homeplace. Situated between Heaney’s two childhood homes at Mossbawn and The Wood, and only a few hundred yards from St Mary’s Church, Bellaghy, which he chose as his final resting place.

Enjoy a local lunch and head onward.

Later this afternoon, encounter Northern Ireland’s favorite giant Finn McCool at the new Giants Causeway visitor center. According to legend Finn created the causeway by building steppingstones to Scotland to challenge the Scottish giant Benandonner! The new center explores the major themes of mythology, geology, landscape, ecology, culture, and social history based on the UNESCO World Heritage site that consists of 40,000 basalt polygonal columns formed 60 million years ago after a volcanic eruption.

Head onward to check into your city center hotel the Maldron. The hotel has a gym, bar, and onsite dining. Guest rooms have a hairdryer, safe, free Wi-fi, tea/coffee making facilities and more. They are conveniently located and their Grain and Grill Restaurant overlooking the magnificent City Walls provides a stunning view while you dine. 

Dinner is on your own this evening with onsite options or restaurants nearby. 

Overnight: Maldron Hotel (or similar)

Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch

This morning you will enjoy a walking tour of the nearby Derry Walls. Your explorations showcase the only remaining completely walled city in Ireland which date back to the early part of the seventeenth century have been a place of several sieges.

Lunch is on you own today before you head to Galway. 

Stop in route for a sheepdog demonstration at Atlantic Sheepdogs. The owner and his dogs have competed at sheepdog trials both nationally and internationally for twenty years, representing Ireland on numerous occasions. Located close to the village of Grange in County Sligo, the farm overlooks Streedagh beach to the west and shadowed by Benbulben mountain to the east. Visitors are offered a chance to experience life on an Irish sheep farm.

Head onward to check in at your Galway hotel. 

Salthill Hotel is situated on the spectacular Salthill promenade with panoramic views of Galway Bay and the Clare Hills. The hotel has onsite dining, two pools, sauna, onsite dining, fitness center, and is 33 steps from the beach! Guest rooms have all the amenities needed for a comfortable stay including a hairdryer, free Wi-Fi, and bathroom amenities. 

Dinner will be provided at the hotel this evening. 

Overnight: Salthill Hotel (or similar)

Included meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Head out today to explore the Burren region. First stop today is to visit the Cliffs of Moher, which are situated on the Atlantic Ocean bordering the Burren region. One of Ireland's most spectacular sights the cliffs stand at 230 meters above the ground at their highest point and are 8 km long. They boast one of the most amazing views in Ireland. On a clear day, the Aran Islands are visible in Galway Bay as well as the valleys and hills of Connemara. 

Next, enjoy an Irish music session at the Doolin Music House, where you will also have lunch. This delightful experience takes place in Christy & Sheila’s home. Christy Barry started playing music in Doolin in the 70’s and then went to live in New York and Chicago. He returned to Doolin in the late 90s and continues to play and teach music in Doolin.

Return to Galway and for those interested enjoy a short walking tour of the city center with your guide, or you can rest at the hotel and get ready for dinner, your choice! City center is mostly pedestrian so has a delightful atmosphere and sites like Lynch Castle, the Spanish Arch and more. The tour starts on Eyre Square and finishes at the Claddagh.

Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening at a local restaurant. 

Overnight: Salthill Hotel (or similar)

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Please note: All itineraries are subject to change based on availability of hotels, 

flights and hosting organizations at the time of finalization of booking. 30 days before departure, a finalized itinerary will be available and reflect final details.

Professional program members - costs association with your journey may be tax deductible as a reasonable and necessary business expense. 

Check out of your hotel this morning and transfer to nearby Shannon Airport for your flight home (about an hour drive depending on traffic).

Included meals: Breakfast

Dr. Camila Alire is Dean Emeritus of University Libraries for the University of New Mexico University Libraries. Previous to that position, she was Dean Emeritus at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado and she was Dean/Director of Libraries at the Auraria Library, University of Colorado at Denver for six years. She served as Professor of Practice for the Simmons College’s Managerial Leadership Ph.D. program. 

Her other experience includes serving as: the Director of the Learning Resource Center at Pikes Peak Community College (Colorado Springs); Assistant to the Dean/Instructor at the University of Denver Graduate School of Librarianship and Information Management. She was principal/owner of Alire & Associates, a boutique international consulting practice.

She received her Doctorate from the University of Northern Colorado and holds an MLS from the University of Denver.

Her research focuses on library services for Latinos and other minorities; on library disaster recovery, and on recruitment and retention of minorities in the library profession and in higher education. She has presented workshops and talks on leadership development and library advocacy.

She has co- authored books on library management, academic librarianship, emotional intelligence leadership, disaster recovery, and library services to Latino communities.

She is past president of ALA, past president of the Association of College & Research Libraries, past -president of National Reforma.

Camila has received many honors during her career. She was chosen to be included in the ALA/ALTA National Advocacy Honor Roll for her work in advocating for library services to Latino communities. She was named Scholar-in-Residence for the Chicago Public Library System. She received the following ALA awards: John Lippincott Distinguished Service Award; the first ALA Elizabeth Futas Catalyst for Change Award. 

Camila was awarded National REFORMA’s Librarian of the Year. She was named by Hispanic Business Magazine as one of the 100 most influential Hispanics in the country. She was selected by the Colorado Library Association (CLA) to receive the CLA Exemplary Library Services to Ethnic Populations Award. She also received the Mountain Plains Library Association’s Legislative Leadership Award.

Camila was appointed by President Obama to serve on the National Endowment for the Humanities Council.

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