IRELAND
DAY ONE
Depart home on your flight to the Emerald Isle DAY TWO Arrive in Dublin and celebrate Mass in St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral (pictured right). Depart for the countryside of County Meath to explore the prehistoric monuments of Newgrange, the medieval ruins on the Hill of Slane, and (time permitting) Trim Castle, which was used for the filming of Braveheart. Continue to Galway for dinner and overnight. |
DAY THREE
[Option: Visit Kylemore Abbey (pictured left) in the morning.] Travel to Croagh Patrick. (On the last Sunday of July, you can participate in the Reek Pilgrimage, made annually in Ireland for at least 1500 years.) Fill your day with prayerful 'rounding rituals' as you ascend to the summit of the rocky mountain where St. Patrick himself fasted for 40 days. Celebrate Mass at St. Patrick's Oratory on the peak of the croagh. Dinner and overnight in Castlebar or a village nearby. |
DAY FIVE
Depart early for Galway, where you will celebrate Mass at the ancient Shantalla Mass Rock (pending approval). After a brief drive through the city, continue to County Offaly to explore the Clonamacnoise, monastic ruins on the River Shannon. In County Clare, take a short hike to the edge of the famously picturesque Cliffs of Moher (pictured left). Continue on to Limerick for dinner and overnight. |
DAY SIX
[Option: Visit the Blarney Castle in the morning.] Make a day trip to the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry. Drive the "Ring of Kerry" scenic loop, taking in 10,000 years of history as you pass along the rugged landscape and through the charming seaside towns. Weather permitting, venture onto Skellig Michael to visit a 7th-century monstary. Return to Limerick (pictured right) for dinner and overnight. |
DAY SEVEN
Cross the country for the East Coast of Ireland, taking in the scenery of Counties Tipperary, Kilkenny, Carlow, and Wicklow. Tour Glendalough (pictured left) and its 6th-century monastic settlement founded by St. Kevin, including the gateway, tower, cathedral, and churches. Continue to Dublin for dinner and overnight. |
DAY EIGHT
In the morning, take a panoramic tour of Ireland's best known city (Hapenny Bridge pictured right). See O'Connell Street, Phoenix Park, Grafton Street, and Trinity College, among other iconic sights. Time permitting, take a peak at Trinity College's library, home to more than 20,000 manuscripts, many of which are more than 1,000 years old. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore the city on your own. Dinner and overnight in Dublin. |
DAY NINE
Depart Dublin for home, carrying with you the graces of this extraordinary pilgrimage.
Depart Dublin for home, carrying with you the graces of this extraordinary pilgrimage.
Mass will be celebrated daily, except on air travel days.