Day 1 Monday, August 16 - Depart for Ireland 

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

 

Day 2 Tuesday, August 17 - Shannon, Cliffs of Moher, & Galway 

We arrive in Shannon and our driver takes us through the mesmerizing landscapes of The Burren on our way to scenic Doolin where we will have our lunch at McGann's Pub and be taught the proper way to "pull" a Guinness. Our menu will include Fish and Chips, Irish Beef & Guinness Stew followed by delicious chocolate mousse.  From it's a short drive 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 Galway where we will celebrate the opening Mass of our pilgrimage at the Galway Cathedral along with the local community (starts at 6:00 PM). After the mass enjoy dinner at the hotel in Galway. (L|D)

 

Day 3 Wednesday, August 18 - Knock & Ballintubber

Today is our day to visit 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 begin our return to Galway, stopping at 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. We then return to Galway and evening on your own. (B)

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Day 4 Thursday, August 19 - Kylemore, Croagh Patrick, & Murrisk 

Today we make our way to Kylemore Abbey. In Kylemore, we visit the convent of the Benedictine Nuns of Ypres, beautifully set on Lake Kylemore.  Time permitting, make few photo stops in Connemara National Park. After Holy Mass we travel via Louisburgh with its fine sandy beaches and we come 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.  Lunch is served in the award-winning Tavern in Murrisk. Mid-afternoon we stop in the town of Westport. The town was designed to the plan of James Wyatt, a well-known architect of the Georgian Period. Across the road there are ruins of Murrisk Abbey. Murrisk Abbey 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. Time permitting, visit Great Famine National Memorial in Murrisk.  We then return to Galway for dinner at a local restaurant. (B|L|D)

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Day 5 Friday, August 20 - Galway & Ennis

Today we leave Galway and head south, with our first stop at the Friary at Ennis, a charming town of narrow streets. We celebrate Holy Mass here at St. Joseph’s Church. This afternoon you will have free time at leisure to enjoy the lovely atmosphere of Ennis. Overnight in Ennis and a wonderful dinner at Preacher's Pub. (B|D) 

 

Day 6 Saturday, August 21 - Glenstal Abbey, Adare & Killarney 

Depart Ennis and travel to 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 in Adare, we travel through County Kerry with some of the most beautiful views in all of Ireland. We arrive this afternoon in Killarney and celebrate Holy Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral. (B|D)

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Day 7 Sunday, August 22 - 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, August 23 - 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 Holycross 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. 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.  We arrive in Kilkenny for overnight.  Dinner at the hotel. (B|D)

 

Day 9 Tuesday, August 24 - 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, August 25 - 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: The Book of Kells, 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 High Mass. After Mass, our day is at leisure for shopping and browsing before our Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant. (B|D)

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Day 11 Thursday, August 26 - Depart for Home 

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