Céad Míle Fáilte to Ireland!
Céad Míle Fáilte—Gaelic for “a hundred thousand welcomes”—captures the warm hospitality awaiting you in Ireland! For more than twenty-five years, Performing Arts Educators has created meaningful, non-competitive performance opportunities that honor the artistry of ensembles at iconic venues across the world. We extend that enduring continuum to Ireland’s historic southeast, inviting pre-professional performance groups into a cultural exchange of quiet depth and genuine connection. Here, in the soulful settings of Waterford, Kilkenny, and Dublin, your performers bring their own distinctive voice to warm and receptive Irish audiences.
Céad Míle Fáilte—Gaelic for “a hundred thousand welcomes”—captures the warm hospitality awaiting you in Ireland! For more than twenty-five years, Performing Arts Educators has created meaningful, non-competitive performance opportunities that honor the artistry of ensembles at iconic venues across the world. We extend that enduring continuum to Ireland’s historic southeast, inviting pre-professional performance groups into a cultural exchange of quiet depth and genuine connection. Here, in the soulful settings of Waterford, Kilkenny, and Dublin, your performers bring their own distinctive voice to warm and receptive Irish audiences.
In a supportive atmosphere free from competition, ensembles perform, connect, and grow through thoughtful immersion in Ireland’s living traditions, while also experiencing elements of Irish heritage alongside local masters and performers. This journey continues the legacy begun by the company’s founders, offering long-term artistic mentorship and transformative experiences that resonate far beyond the stage.
Kilkenny Castle, rising with quiet dignity above the River Nore, offers a setting of profound resonance for reflection and exploration.
Cultural Exchange in Ireland
In the historic and soulful settings of Ireland’s southeast, Performing Arts Educators invites pre-professional ensembles to a cultural performance exchange of quiet depth and genuine connection. Here, ensembles find the space to perform, to connect, and to grow through meaningful immersion in tradition and artistry. Your performers bring their own distinctive voice and persona to share with warm and receptive Irish audiences, creating moments of cross-cultural joy. The emphasis rests always on presenting that unique voice with calm authority, while participants are warmly invited to experience and appreciate elements of Irish heritage in a supportive, non-competitive atmosphere.For more than twenty-five years we have crafted high-level, non-competitive performance opportunities at venues of enduring resonance, including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, as well as international stages. This summer we extend that continuum to Ireland, building on the same foundation of long-term artistic mentorship and cultural authenticity that has guided our work since its inception by the founding vision of the company.
Who Is Invited
Summer Stages Ireland welcomes pre-professional performance groups of all ages—youth ensembles, teen companies, or adult troupes—together with their families. Whether your focus is refinement of technique or the simple courage to step onto a new stage, this journey honors every participant’s place within the larger artistic conversation.
Meet Your Hosts
The program is presented by Performing Arts Educators, a nonprofit dedicated to meaningful performance experiences that honor both individual expression and shared cultural legacy. With a quarter-century of guiding ensembles through transformative travels, we approach each journey with the same reverence for craft and community that has defined our work from the beginning.
Your Eight-Day Journey
The itinerary has been shaped with care to balance performance, cultural exchange, and the quiet discovery of Ireland’s living heritage. You will be based primarily in Waterford, with purposeful visits to Kilkenny and a carefully timed immersion in Dublin that reveals the capital’s depth as an international cultural center. Local masters of Irish heritage in dance, song, and music will offer workshops and collaborative sessions, allowing your ensembles to share their repertoire while engaging directly with Ireland’s traditional forms.
In the historic and soulful settings of Ireland’s southeast, Performing Arts Educators invites pre-professional ensembles to a cultural performance exchange of quiet depth and genuine connection. Here, ensembles find the space to perform, to connect, and to grow through meaningful immersion in tradition and artistry. Your performers bring their own distinctive voice and persona to share with warm and receptive Irish audiences, creating moments of cross-cultural joy. The emphasis rests always on presenting that unique voice with calm authority, while participants are warmly invited to experience and appreciate elements of Irish heritage in a supportive, non-competitive atmosphere.For more than twenty-five years we have crafted high-level, non-competitive performance opportunities at venues of enduring resonance, including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, as well as international stages. This summer we extend that continuum to Ireland, building on the same foundation of long-term artistic mentorship and cultural authenticity that has guided our work since its inception by the founding vision of the company.
Who Is Invited
Summer Stages Ireland welcomes pre-professional performance groups of all ages—youth ensembles, teen companies, or adult troupes—together with their families. Whether your focus is refinement of technique or the simple courage to step onto a new stage, this journey honors every participant’s place within the larger artistic conversation.
Meet Your Hosts
The program is presented by Performing Arts Educators, a nonprofit dedicated to meaningful performance experiences that honor both individual expression and shared cultural legacy. With a quarter-century of guiding ensembles through transformative travels, we approach each journey with the same reverence for craft and community that has defined our work from the beginning.
Your Eight-Day Journey
The itinerary has been shaped with care to balance performance, cultural exchange, and the quiet discovery of Ireland’s living heritage. You will be based primarily in Waterford, with purposeful visits to Kilkenny and a carefully timed immersion in Dublin that reveals the capital’s depth as an international cultural center. Local masters of Irish heritage in dance, song, and music will offer workshops and collaborative sessions, allowing your ensembles to share their repertoire while engaging directly with Ireland’s traditional forms.
Dates: Scheduled
What to Expect
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN DUBLIN AND TRANSFER TO WATERFORD
Your journey begins with arrival at Dublin Airport. A comfortable coach carries you through the gentle Irish countryside to Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city. You settle into the Tower Hotel, where a welcome dinner gathers the group in an atmosphere of easy fellowship and anticipation.
DAY 2: FIRST WORKSHOP WITH LOCAL PERFORMANCE MASTERS AND WATERFORD DISCOVERY
The morning opens with a workshop led by respected Irish instructors, inviting your performers into the rhythms and traditions of Irish dance, song, or music with thoughtful attention. Rehearsal time follows in dedicated space at the hotel. The afternoon is given to exploration of Waterford using the Freedom Pass, allowing quiet encounters with the city’s historic museums and sites.
DAY 3: AFTERNOON AT JACK MEADE’S AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE
The day unfolds with morning rehearsal. In the afternoon the group travels by coach to Jack Meade’s, a historic pub dating to 1705, for an included Irish buffet and an afternoon of outdoor pub culture. Here, in the open air, your ensembles share selections from their repertoire in relaxed exchange with local singers, dancers or musicians, creating joyful cross-cultural moments amid the warmth of Irish hospitality.
DAY 4: EXPLORATION OF KILKENNY
A full day is devoted to Kilkenny, one of Ireland’s most cherished medieval cities. The coach brings the group to wander its historic streets, visit Kilkenny Castle and its gardens, and experience the quiet grandeur of St. Canice’s Cathedral. Time is set aside for thoughtful discovery of the city’s craft heritage and distinctive atmosphere, allowing each participant to absorb the layered history that continues to inspire artistry. Rehearsal or informal sharing may be arranged according to the group’s needs.
DAY 5: PUBLIC PERFORMANCE IN KILKENNY
Return to Kilkenny for the program’s single public performance in one of the city’s historic venues, presented with dignity and presence. Your ensembles share their distinctive artistry on this meaningful stage, extending an invitation through movement to the gathered audience.
DAY 6: TRAVEL TO DUBLIN, WORKSHOP WITH LOCAL PERFORMERS, AND FREE EXPLORATION
The morning brings a coach journey to Dublin. Upon arrival, the group engages in a workshop with accomplished local performers, creating space for direct exchange and mutual inspiration between your performers and Ireland’s vibrant artistic community. The afternoon is reserved for free exploration of Dublin’s streets, allowing participants to discover its museums, riverfront, and hidden corners in their own rhythm.
DAY 7: DUBLIN EXPLORATION AND ATTENDING A LOCAL SHOW
A full day in Dublin offers continued discovery of the capital’s cultural riches—its landmarks, galleries, and living heritage. In the evening the group attends a performance by a local Irish heritage performance ensemble, experiencing the artistry as appreciative viewers and deepening the sense of reverence for Ireland’s traditions.
DAY 8: DEPARTURE
Breakfast is followed by complimentary shuttles to Dublin Airport from a convenient Dublin location. Participants depart with the quiet certainty that the week’s experiences will continue to shape their artistry long after the journey ends.
Should this vision align with the aspirations of your ensemble, we invite you to express interest through the form below. There is no obligation in the first step; it simply allows us to hold a place for your group and to share the complete itinerary for your consideration.
With sincere appreciation,
Performing Arts Educators
What to Expect
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN DUBLIN AND TRANSFER TO WATERFORD
Your journey begins with arrival at Dublin Airport. A comfortable coach carries you through the gentle Irish countryside to Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city. You settle into the Tower Hotel, where a welcome dinner gathers the group in an atmosphere of easy fellowship and anticipation.
DAY 2: FIRST WORKSHOP WITH LOCAL PERFORMANCE MASTERS AND WATERFORD DISCOVERY
The morning opens with a workshop led by respected Irish instructors, inviting your performers into the rhythms and traditions of Irish dance, song, or music with thoughtful attention. Rehearsal time follows in dedicated space at the hotel. The afternoon is given to exploration of Waterford using the Freedom Pass, allowing quiet encounters with the city’s historic museums and sites.
DAY 3: AFTERNOON AT JACK MEADE’S AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE
The day unfolds with morning rehearsal. In the afternoon the group travels by coach to Jack Meade’s, a historic pub dating to 1705, for an included Irish buffet and an afternoon of outdoor pub culture. Here, in the open air, your ensembles share selections from their repertoire in relaxed exchange with local singers, dancers or musicians, creating joyful cross-cultural moments amid the warmth of Irish hospitality.
DAY 4: EXPLORATION OF KILKENNY
A full day is devoted to Kilkenny, one of Ireland’s most cherished medieval cities. The coach brings the group to wander its historic streets, visit Kilkenny Castle and its gardens, and experience the quiet grandeur of St. Canice’s Cathedral. Time is set aside for thoughtful discovery of the city’s craft heritage and distinctive atmosphere, allowing each participant to absorb the layered history that continues to inspire artistry. Rehearsal or informal sharing may be arranged according to the group’s needs.
DAY 5: PUBLIC PERFORMANCE IN KILKENNY
Return to Kilkenny for the program’s single public performance in one of the city’s historic venues, presented with dignity and presence. Your ensembles share their distinctive artistry on this meaningful stage, extending an invitation through movement to the gathered audience.
DAY 6: TRAVEL TO DUBLIN, WORKSHOP WITH LOCAL PERFORMERS, AND FREE EXPLORATION
The morning brings a coach journey to Dublin. Upon arrival, the group engages in a workshop with accomplished local performers, creating space for direct exchange and mutual inspiration between your performers and Ireland’s vibrant artistic community. The afternoon is reserved for free exploration of Dublin’s streets, allowing participants to discover its museums, riverfront, and hidden corners in their own rhythm.
DAY 7: DUBLIN EXPLORATION AND ATTENDING A LOCAL SHOW
A full day in Dublin offers continued discovery of the capital’s cultural riches—its landmarks, galleries, and living heritage. In the evening the group attends a performance by a local Irish heritage performance ensemble, experiencing the artistry as appreciative viewers and deepening the sense of reverence for Ireland’s traditions.
DAY 8: DEPARTURE
Breakfast is followed by complimentary shuttles to Dublin Airport from a convenient Dublin location. Participants depart with the quiet certainty that the week’s experiences will continue to shape their artistry long after the journey ends.
Should this vision align with the aspirations of your ensemble, we invite you to express interest through the form below. There is no obligation in the first step; it simply allows us to hold a place for your group and to share the complete itinerary for your consideration.
With sincere appreciation,
Performing Arts Educators
Opportunities for Exchange
Two carefully structured workshops with local performance groups provide the heart of the cultural dialogue—one in Waterford and one in Dublin. The single public performance in Kilkenny offers a moment of focused presentation, while the afternoon at Jack Meade’s creates an informal outdoor setting for spontaneous sharing. The opportunity to attend a local performance in Dublin deepens the experience of reverence and reciprocity.
What Is Included
- Seven nights’ accommodation—primarily at the Tower Hotel in Waterford, with the final night(s) arranged in Dublin—together with full breakfast daily.
- Welcome dinner, group airport transfers and internal coach travel, the Waterford Freedom Pass for four museums, dedicated rehearsal space, two workshops with local Irish master performers, the public performance in Kilkenny, entrance fees to key sites such as Kilkenny Castle, the Jack Meade’s cultural afternoon, and the full support of the Performing Arts Educators team on site.
- All taxes and compulsory fees are covered.
- Arrangements for early arrival or extended stay can be made through our partners.
Should this vision align with the aspirations of your ensemble, we invite you to express interest through the form below. There is no obligation in the first step; it simply allows us to hold a place for your group and to share the complete itinerary for your consideration.
With sincere appreciation,
Performing Arts Educators
Please email [email protected]g for more information.
