When it comes to art and culture, Ireland is packed with spectacular experiences you won’t find anywhere else. With our reputation for being a nation of poets and storytellers, we’re uniquely positioned to provide an unforgettable incentive experience.
From The Abbey Theatre to Windmill Lane Recording Studios, if creative days out in legendary settings are what you seek, then Ireland is the perfect destination for your next incentive trip.
With a long history of producing some of the best writers, artists and performers in the world, enjoy our rich culture through a range of incredible private tours and activities available exclusively for the incentive qualifier.
Tread the boards at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin City
Ireland’s national theatre, the Abbey, was founded by poet and Nobel Laureate WB Yeats in 1904, making it the oldest national theatre in the world. Most people only get to experience the theatrical magic from the auditorium, but as our exclusive incentive programme is designed to impress and motivate, your delegates get the opportunity to take a behind-the-scenes tour. Enjoy the chance to explore rarely seen spaces, from the hair and make-up department to the prop stores where whole new worlds are created. Discover the array of costumes from famous productions in the costume stores and see how the show comes together each night. Along the way, you’ll see famous faces and uncover theatre history, peppered with tales from an iconic cultural institution. True theatre fans can even experience a private tour with archive specialists to indulge their passion.
Go behind the scenes at the museums in Dublin and Kilkenny
The Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) is the home of Ireland’s national contemporary art collection. A private tour can be organised with the museum director, Annie Fletcher, who will introduce delegates to the 17th century building and set the scene for a true insight into the former Royal Hospital and its grounds. A morning slot can be facilitated before the doors open to the public or early evening to enjoy dusk fall as one of IMMA’s senior curators shares their knowledge and stories about the works on display by renowned artists such as Damien Hirst, Dorothy Cross and Lucian Freud. The world’s leading artists leave us with amazing objects, and often the stories behind them are every bit as fascinating.
Leaving Dublin behind, the Butler Gallery is located in the beautiful medieval town of Kilkenny, also known as the Marble City. Having recently moved to its new home in a gorgeous riverside setting that blends the old with the new, a visit to the Butler includes highlights from the historic and contemporary collections, as well as a regular programme of changing exhibitions of international repute. If incentive participants have an interest, they can go that little bit further with a unique Butler experience. The day includes a private director’s tour with Anna O’Sullivan, and members of your group can have their portrait sketched by award-winning artist Blaise Smith. To round off the day, delegates can enjoy dinner at Kilkenny’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Campagne, either as a private group or in the company of Anna and Blaise, so that the stories can continue into the night.
Explore the beauty of Kylemore Abbey, Co. Galway
Renowned for its Gothic-style architecture and stunning lakeside location in the wilds of Connemara, Kylemore Abbey makes for one of the most photogenic stops along Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way. The breathtaking Benedictine abbey is open to delegates for a behind-the-scenes look at this historic landmark property and its exquisitely restored rooms. Delve into its history of tragedy and romance as you explore the 1,000-acre estate with its dramatic landscape reflected in a lake, and see one of the finest Victorian walled gardens in the country – this is an impeccably manicured garden where only flowers from that era are cultivated.
Hit the high notes at Windmill Lane, Dublin City
Windmill Lane has been behind the recording of iconic music by David Bowie, Kate Bush, The Rolling Stones, Lady Gaga, Van Morrison, Kylie Minogue, Ed Sheeran, The Cranberries and Hozier, to name but a few. Housed in a beautiful Art Deco building in Dublin’s Docklands, the studios, made famous as U2’s spiritual home, are beloved by visitors wanting to follow in the footsteps of Bono, Mick Jagger and other musical heroes. As part of the programme, the studios can be booked for a private session where your incentive group can enjoy an exclusive gig, record a single, take part in a trad workshop or a Riverdance-inspired session, and share in epic tales from the people who have worked with stars such as Bob Dylan. Sessions can range from three to eight hours, and the team will treat your delegates like rock stars, arranging everything from a mixing desk to bespoke catering.
Get in touch with the Meet in Ireland team today to find out how we can help you organise a bucket-list itinerary brimming with exclusive cultural experiences for your incentive programme.