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Day 1 - USA / DUBLIN
We depart the U.S. for our transatlantic flight to Dublin, Ireland. Meals served on board. |
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Day 2 - DUBLIN
We arrive in the capital of Ireland this afternoon where we meet our Pilgrimage Tours' tour director who will remain with us until the end of our tour. We'll celebrate Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral, which was founded in 1190. We explore this famed Cathedral's majestic interior rich with ancient relics. Next we visit the Christchurch Cathedral, founded by the Danes in 1030, steeped in cultural history and architectural details such as the Baroque tomb of the Earl of Kildare. From here 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. Dinner and overnight in Dublin. |
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Day 3 - DUBLIN / BOYNE VALLEY / MELLIFONT ABBEY
This morning we set out through the beautiful Boyne Valley to visit the Hill of Tara and the Boyne Valley Centre (Newgrange Knowth). Visit Old Mellifont Abbey, Ireland's first Cistercian monastery founded by St. Malachy of Armagh and celebrate Mass there. In Kildare we visit Maynooth College. Dinner and overnight in Dublin. |
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Day 4 - DUBLIN / CORK / BLARNEY / KILLARNEY
This morning we depart to Mount Mellery to catch a glimpse of medieval monastic life at the Cistercian Monastery. Known as the Paris of Ireland, Cork is a city with a continental air as you discover when you visit. Next we'll visit the Castle of Blarney famous for the "Blarney Stone," which is said to give the gift of eloquence to all who kiss it and take time to shop at the famous Blarney Woolen Mill. You'll know you are in Killarney by the pony-and-trap riders along the tree-lined road. While there, we'll visit Killarney's great neo-Gothic church, the Cathedral where we celebrate Mass, built in the 19th century. Dinner and overnight in Killarney. |
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Day 5 - KILLARNEY / RING OF KERRY / CLIFFS OF MOHER / LIMERICK
This morning after Mass at St. Mary's Church in Killarney, we set out to the Iveragh Peninsula to explore the Ring of Kerry. We see quaint, historic villages, sandy beaches and high mountain terrain. On the north of the Ring, we stop at Caherciveen to visit the Heritage Center. Continuing north, we see the spectacular Cliffs of Moher that rise over 600 ft. from the ocean for miles along the coast. Dinner and overnight in Limerick. |
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Day 6 - BUNRATTY / ST. PATRICK'S HOLY MOUNTAIN / WESTPORT
This morning we travel through the enchanting Irish countryside, an ever-changing patchwork of green, dotted with ruins to Bunratty. Bunratty is considered to be the most complete and authentic medieval castle in Ireland. Built in 1425, it was restored to its original exacting detail in 1954, with many furnishings and tapestries that capture the mood and style of the times. We will also explore the Folk Park on Bunratty's grounds that include a replica village street, several farmhouses, a watermill, a blacksmith's forge and Mac's pub and restaurant. Have your camera ready as you visit Adare, known as the most beautiful village in Ireland where the homes still sport thatched roofs. Continuing to St. Patrick's Holy Mountain where tradition states that St. Patrick spent 40 days fasting in 441. The site has been a place of Christian worship and pilgrimage ever since. Dinner and overnight in Westport. |
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Day 7 - WESTPORT / KNOCK
This morning we depart Westport for Knock in County Mayo. 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. Here we will celebrate Mass. We then see the "Way of the Cross" and the Folk Museum. The rest of the day is free. Dinner and overnight in Knock. |
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Day 8 - DUBLIN / LONDON / CANTERBURY / MOUNT CARMEL
This morning we depart Knock for our flight from Dublin to England. Upon arrival in London, we head off to the chapel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Alyesford where the Blessed Virgin presented the Brown Scapular to the world. We'll celebrate Mass and if our timing is right, we'll join the Friars in the Liturgy of the Hours. Later, we visit the Cathedral in Canterbury to see the place where St. Thomas Beckett was martyred at the hands of King Henry II in 1170. The history of Canterbury dates to the time of St. Augustine who brought Christianity to the area in 597. We visit the Cathedral that is the Mother Church to the Anglican faith. Finally, we visit the Heritage Museum that offers an audio-visual presentation about Canterbury. Dinner and overnight in London. |
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Day 9 - OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM / LONDON
This morning we visit the Marian Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. In 1061 Mary appeared to a noble widow named Lady Richeldis who received instructions from the Virgin Mother of a house to be built on this site identical to the house at Nazareth. Walsingham became known as the "Little Nazareth". Though the house was destroyed during the Reformation, archaeologists have unearthed its remains located near the Priory. We visit the Slipper Chapel, so named because pilgrims would leave their shoes there and walk the final mile to the shrine. We also see the Statue of Our Lady of Walsingham and participate in the Noon Pilgrims Mass. We return to London in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight. |
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Day 10 - LONDON / USA
After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for the flight home. Though our pilgrimage has come to an end, the blessings of our encounters with the Lord, Our Lady, and the saints are certain to strengthen and encourage us throughout our lifelong pilgrimage. |
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