A 10-Day Pilgrimage to Ireland

Including Glendalough, Cashel, Cork, Blarney, Ring of Kerry, Killarney, Galway, Connemara, Croagh Patrick, Knock, Clonmacnoise & Dublin.

Day 1 - Monday
USA / DUBLIN
We depart today for our transatlantic flight to Dublin, Ireland.  Meals are served on board.

Day 2 - Tuesday
DUBLIN
This morning we arrive in the capital of Ireland where we are greeted by our tour escort and driver for our visit in Ireland.  We enjoy an orientation tour by motor coach of this capital city.  Dinner and overnight in Dublin. 

Day 3 - Wednesday
DUBLIN / GLENDALOUGH / CASHEL / CORK
We depart Dublin’s airport heading south to Cork.  Our first visit today is to the remote but quite scenic Glendalough, for a visit to St. Kevin’s Monastery and the ruins of this monastic settlement.  Next we set our sights on the town of Cashel, where we make a stop at the famous Rock of Cashel, which towers over the town and is one of Ireland’s great historic sites.  While here we will see a magnificent group of ecclesiastical ruins, including Cormac’s Chapel.  We continue on to Cork for dinner and overnight. 

Day 4 - Thursday
CORK / COBH / BLARNEY / RING OF KERRY / KILLARNEY
This morning we awake in Cork, the “Paris of Ireland”.  Cork is a city with a continental air as you discover when you visit.  We depart Cork for Blarney, first stopping in the town of Cobh, located just outside of Cork, to visit the beautiful St. Colman’s Cathedral.  Here we have our own private celebration of Mass.  Next we'll visit the 15th century Blarney Castle, famous for the "Blarney Stone," which is said to give the gift of eloquence to all who kiss it.  While here, we take time to shop at the famous Blarney Woolen Mill.  Next we depart for Killarney.  We approach Killarney via Kenmare and take in the most picturesque section of the Ring of Kerry.  We see quaint, historic villages, sandy beaches and high mountain terrain.  The highlights of our tour include Molls Gap and Ladies View which provide the best views of the Lakes of Killarney.  In Killarney, we see the many quaint and colorful homes and businesses that are unique to Killarney.  Dinner and overnight in Killarney.

Day 5 - Friday
KILLARNEY / CLIFFS OF MOHER / GALWAY CITY
This morning, we will visit Killarney's great neo-Gothic Cathedral built in the 19th century.  Following our tour of the Cathedral, we enjoy our own celebration of Mass in this wonderful place of worship.  Next we set out via Tralee, to cross the mouth of the Shannon via the Kilimer-Talbert ferry.  Next we drive towards the dramatic Cliffs of Moher which span some five miles along the rugged coastline and reach heights of 800+ feet over the Atlantic Ocean.  We continue north to see the spectacular Cliffs of Moher, which span some five miles along the rugged coastline and reach heights of over 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean.  We continue north to visit one of the most-rare topographical sights in the world, the Burren.  The Burren is a vast lunar-like landscape harboring some 2000 species of rare flowers and plants that live on top of unique rock formations dating back two million years.  We continue on to Galway City, where upon our arrival, we embark on a walking tour through the city centre.  Dinner and overnight in Galway.
    
Day 6 - Saturday
GALWAY / CONNEMARA / CROAGH PATRICK / KNOCK
This morning we celebrate Mass in Galway Cathedral, followed by a tour of this splendid Cathedral.  Next we depart for a drive through Connemara National Park, where we find, at its heart, the Kylemore Abbey.  This Neo-Gothic structure is today run by Benedictine nuns, who have opened the grounds and part of its house to the public.  Here we will see the restored Gothic chapel, considered by many to be a miniature cathedral in itself.  Next we continue on to St. Patrick's Holy Mountain where tradition states that St. Patrick spent 40 days fasting during Lent in 441. The site has been a place of Christian worship and pilgrimage ever since.  Those who wish may climb a short way to a small shrine which is part way up the mountain or “Croagh”.  Next we arrive in County Mayo and the town of Knock where we will explore its extensive grounds and enjoy some free time.  Dinner and overnight just outside of Knock, in Claremorris.

Day 7 - Sunday
KNOCK
This morning we visit the shrine of Our Lady of Knock, the single most important Marian Shrine in all of Ireland.  We visit the Church of the Apparition where the apparition of Our Lady, St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist occurred and was witnessed by some 15 people in 1879.  We then see the “Way of the Cross” and the Folk Museum.  In the afternoon, we join in the regular Sunday con-celebration of Mass at the new basilica, together with the local townspeople and other pilgrims.  Following Mass, we have the opportunity to join in the Rosary Procession.  The rest of the day is free for some personal time, whether it is in prayer or visiting the local shops of Knock.  Dinner and overnight just outside of Knock.

Day 8 - Monday
KNOCK / CLONMACNOISE / BOYNE VALLEY / DUBLIN
We rise for breakfast and depart Knock for Dublin.  En route we drive through Ireland’s countryside, first stopping for a visit to Clonmacnoise, a monastic site situated on the banks of the River Shannon.  Here we see the ruins of a cathedral, two round towers, several churches, three high crosses as well as a large collection of early Christian grave slabs.  While here we visit its heritage centre and museum display.  Next we depart for the beautiful Boyne Valley to visit the Old Mellifont Abbey, Ireland's first Cistercian monastery founded by St. Malachy of Armagh.  Next we arrive in Dublin and visit St. Patrick's Cathedral, which was founded in 1190.  We explore this famed Cathedral's majestic interior rich with ancient relics.  Dinner and overnight in Dublin.

Day 9 - Tuesday
DUBLIN
This morning we will visit St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral and its grounds.  Next we see the Christ Church Cathedral, or Cathedral of Holy Trinity, founded by the Danes in 1030, steeped in cultural history and architectural details such as the Baroque tomb of the Earl of Kildare.  Next we will visit the Kilmainham Jail, which housed many prisoners from the Irish Rebellion of 1916.  Next we pay a visit to the nearby Whitefriars Street Franciscan Church, a Carmelite Church, where we celebrate Mass.  In the afternoon we will visit Trinity College, founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I, and tour its historic library and view the world famous Book of Kells.  Prior to returning to our hotel, we will see the highly renowned Guinness Brewery and visit its “Storehouse”, including its Hop Store and Visitor’s Centre.  While here, we get to sample the brewery’s latest batch of their famous libation.  Dinner and overnight in Dublin.

Day 10 - Wednesday
DUBLIN / USA
We rise for breakfast and depart our hotel for Dublin Airport and our return flight home.  Though our pilgrimage draws to a close, its blessings will last a lifetime and its graces are certain to draw us closer to the Lord.
 

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