The 20th Century Ireland Tour with Cultured Travel provided rich and meaningful connection with the history and people of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. I highly recommend this tour for anyone who wishes to learn from experts well versed in the nation's culture and politics and from the Irish people who share their lived experience. These rich exchanges are what makes journeying with this Cultured Travel a life changing experience.

Loved the people on the trip! Loved the concept of the political tour. Our guest speakers were quite good. Jewel was always helpful and communicative. Suggestions: Have name tags at least for the start of the trip. I recognize many people know each other but as a newbie it was hard to remember all the names of 20 plus people. I think the political history would have been more comprehensive had it been in chronological order (ending with/not starting with the Troubles and current thoughts about re-unification.) I don't think one can understand the politics of 20th century Ireland without acknowledging the devastation and legacy of the Great Famine. Adding some opt-in activities highlighting the extraordinary musical and story-telling traditions of Ireland would be entertaining and illuminating for travelers and could easily be part of a whiskey tasting or dinner event.

"20th century Ireland" was another excellent trip with Cultured Travel! Our guides were very knowledgeable and happy to share their country & history with us. We were able to visit with several people (from both sides of the Troubles) and got a greater appreciation and understanding of the conflict. We enjoy the smaller group size with Cultured Travel and Jewel takes care of every detail- we had interesting group activities and also time to explore on our own. The location of our hotel made most things within walking distance. There is so much to do and see in Dublin! I would highly recommend this trip!

This trip was like no other. Aside from the private tour of Trinity College, the cocktail making class at the Jameson distillery, the world class titanic museum, casual sampling of pubs and pints, the fascinating tenement experience, the brief Irish writer's immersion, and other diversions, there were moments that stopped me in my tracks: We sat with, spoke with, and walked through the neighborhoods of locals who grew up in Belfast, in the 1970's and 1980's. Our guides were on both sides of the Troubles, and they opened themselves up to our questions and shared deeply affecting experiences they lived through in recent history. We were on a narated walk through areas of Dublin and stood beside buildings with bullet holes in them from 100 years ago, resulting from Ireland's struggle for independence. If you know where to look, or have them pointed out to you, bits of history are all around and interspersed with modern Dublin. In a private dining room, we listen to and engaged with a top tier local academic and pollster/statistician who spoke on the current tectonic shifts of, and outlook for Ireland and Northern Ireland, while enjoying a wonderful dinner. Our eyes were opened more and more as we continued well after the appointed time, with our questions and conversation. We didn't want it to end. Professor (Katy?) was incredible. We were also treated to a cocktail hour presentation of a noted law professor from Trinity College on the political changes of Ireland over time, and the connections to the U.S. constitution. I came away from this trip with one more piece to the puzzle in the lifelong learning about humanity. The trip was well balanced with casual activities and deeply moving learning experiences. (I also gained an appreciation for Irish whiskey.) It's rare to have casual access to such informative people, resources and experiences. I'll never forget that lunch in Belfast. Thank you so, so much for this once in a lifetime experience!

Our trip to Ireland with Cultured Travel was exceptional. While the sights were beautiful, the intellectual depth provided by their guest lecturers and local guides set this experience apart. In Dublin, the walking tour was a perfect introduction, but the deep dive into the Irish Constitution (Bunreacht na hÉireann) was a highlight. Comparing Ireland’s use of Citizens' Assemblies and mandatory referendums to the US amendment process was eye-opening. It provided a clear look at how Ireland has managed to evolve its founding document to reflect modern social values—a stark and insightful contrast to the constitutional gridlock we often see in the US. The Belfast leg was equally profound. The dual-perspective tour with guides from both the Loyalist and Republican communities provided a raw, balanced understanding of the Troubles that you simply can't get from a book. Furthermore, the lecture on Brexit’s impact on Northern Ireland was masterfully done. Navigating the complexities of the Windsor Framework and the unique status of the NI border really helped us understand the 'on-the-ground' reality of the current political climate. Cultured Travel doesn't just show you Ireland; they help you understand it. If you’re looking for a trip that challenges your perspectives while showing you the best of the island, this is it.