Day 1 Monday, April 15 - Depart for Ireland 

We depart USA en route to Dublin, with complimentary meals and beverages served aloft.

 

Day 2 Tuesday, April 16 - Dublin

Dublin, the name derives from “Dubh linn”, the Black Pool which was in the heart of historic Dublin. This ancient city was known to Ptolemy the Great. It saw the High King Brian Boru killed nearby fighting the Vikings. Both the Normans and the English invaded it. Henry VIII established Trinity College here to nurture the New Faith (Protestantism), while Catholicism was outlawed for over three hundred years. The famous Book of Kells is kept at the college. James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, and Molly Malone are among the city’s notables.  Our half-day sightseeing tour includes viewing Georgian Dublin, Leinster House (Parliament), St. Patrick Cathedral (Church of Ireland), dating from 450A.D., and visiting Christ Church (founded by King Sitric of the Dublin Norsemen in 1038 and rebuilt in 1169 by the Normans). Our last stop of the day is the Shrine of St. Valentine, after whom the February 14 holiday is named. Here we join the local community for the Holy Mass. After Mass, our day is at leisure for shopping and browsing before our Welcome Dinner at Sophie's Rooftop Restaurant with its amazing views of Dublin. (B|D)

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Day 3 Wednesday, April 17 – Knock, Ballintubber & Westport

After breakfast we depart Dublin for Knock, visited each year by more than 1.5 million pilgrims. Upon arriving here as a pilgrim in the autumn of 1979, Pope John Paul II declared: ‘Now I am at the goal of my pilgrimage to Ireland!” We begin with Holy Mass at the Shrine, followed by a tour of the grounds.  After lunch on our own, we continue to Ballintubber Abbey, where Holy Mass has been celebrated daily for over 800 years. This was the traditional starting point for the annual pilgrimage to the Holy Mountain of Croagh Patrick. To our hotel in Westport and evening on your own. (B)

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Day 4 Thursday, April 18 - Croagh Patrick, Kylemore Abbey & Galway

After breakfast we visit Murrisk Abbey which is ideally situated on the southern shore of Clew Bay below the sacred mountain Croagh Patrick. It was founded in c.1456 by a local chieftain Hugh O'Malley who granted the lands to the Augustinian friars. After, we make our way to Croagh Patrick, an isolated cone-shaped mountain rising 2,500 feet from the shore of Clew Bay. Here in the year 441 AD St. Patrick spent 40 days in prayer and fasting for the people of Ireland.  From there we travel to Kylemore Abbey in County Galway where we visit the convent of the Benedictine Nuns of Ypres, beautifully set on Lake Kylemore.  After Holy Mass, lunch on our own at Kylemore Abbey before continuing on to Galway via picturesque Connemara National Park.  Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight in Galway. (B|D)

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Day 5 Friday, April 19 – Galway, Cliffs of Moher & Ennis

Today we leave Galway and head south with our first stop at scenic Doolin, where we will have lunch at a local pub.  From there we pass through the mesmerizing landscapes of The Burren on our way to the Cliffs of Moher; sheer cliffs dropping 600 feet to the water below, one of the most impressive stretches of shoreline on the west coast of Ireland.  We then depart for the charming town of Ennis, and Holy Mass at St Joseph’s Church.  Overnight in Ennis and a wonderful dinner at Preacher's Pub. (B|L|D)     

 

Day 6 Saturday, April 20 - Adare & Killarney 

Depart Ennis and travel to Glenstal Abbey, the Benedictine monastery, with its picturesque grounds include lakes, forests and an old walled, terraced garden which features a "bible garden." After Holy Mass, we continue to Adare (“The Most Beautiful Town in Ireland”).  After lunch on our own in Adare, we travel through County Kerry with some of the most beautiful views in all of Ireland. We arrive this afternoon in Killarney with dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B|D)

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Day 7 Sunday, April 21 - Killarney: The Ring of Kerry

Today we are off for a thrilling scenic ride (112 miles), a continuously changing landscape of dramatic cliffside views and breath-taking seascapes. Upon our return to Killarney, we celebrate Mass with the Irish Franciscans. You will then have some free time, and those wishing to may take a ride on a horse-drawn carriage on their own to visit the Muckross House. Dinner on your own in Killarney. (B)  

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Day 8 Monday, April 22 - Blarney, Holycross Abbey, Cashel, & Kilkenny 

Today we are off to Blarney Castle, where you acquire the ‘gift of gab’ by kissing the Blarney Stone. Woollen Mills offers some great shopping. Our next stop is the Rock of Cashel, one of Ireland’s most visited monuments. Here in 450 AD St. Patrick baptized King Aengus. We tour the ruins here, including the Cashel Cathedral, still in very good condition given its age.  Our next stop is Holy Cross Abbey, home to one of the first relics of the True Cross to have reached Ireland. It was at one time one of the most famous places of pilgrimage in Ireland during the later Middle Ages. Through a special Act of Parliament, in 1975 reconstruction of the old monastic cloister began. Here we celebrate Mass. We arrive in Kilkenny for overnight.  Dinner at the hotel. (B|D)

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Day 9 Tuesday, April 23 - Glendalough & Dublin

This morning we are off to Glendalough – The Glen Between the Two Lakes. According to legend, St. Kevin retired to this spot to be alone because his good looks made him a source of temptation. He had to drown one persistent lady who followed him; another became a nun. These sixth century ruins are from the monastic community he founded. We will have lunch in the traditional Wicklow Heather restaurant. Recommended menu is wild Wicklow game & chicken pate, followed by traditional roast turkey stuffed with ham and for dessert Baileys cheesecake! In time, this community became a great center of learning, known as “Rome of the West.” We will visit the Interpretive Center for Celtic Spirituality and celebrate Holy Mass at St. Kevin’s Church. We arrive in Dublin for the evening. Traditional dinner at The Norseman Pub. (B|L|D)

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Day 10 Wednesday, April 24 - Depart for Home 

We transfer to the Dublin airport for our return flight to home after a wonderful pilgrimage through Ireland.   (B)