Day 1 - USA - Shannon
Depart from your
hometown for an overnight flight to Ireland. Meals are served on
board.
Day 2 - Shannon - Galway
Cead Mile Failte
- Welcome to Ireland! When you arrive at Shannon airport, you
will be met by your driver/ guide and escorted to your deluxe
motor coach. Your travels will bring you northwesterly where you
will stop for a refreshing morning coffee and home-baked scones.
Continue to the Dysert O'Dea Castle. Built in 1480 by Diarmuid
O'Dea, Lord of Cineal Fearmaic, today the Castle houses an
extensive museum, an audiovisual presentation on the history of
this unique area, and various exhibitions. Today you will also
see the ruins at Corcomroe Abbey. This 12th century Cistercian
Abbey was given the name 'Sancta Maria de Petra Fertili' -
'Saint Mary of the fertile rock' - a very well chosen name for
this remarkable Abbey that stands near the head of a limestone
valley that brings forth lush green grass. Continue to Galway
City where you will overnight with dinner.
Day 3 - Galway - Knock
This morning you
can travel west to Connemara. The region is now largely
uninhabited, although in the past the more fertile lowlands were
cultivated and the uplands were used as pasture for cattle and
sheep. Visit Kylemore Abbey, which is the only home of the
Benedictine nuns in Ireland. Set in the heart of Connemara, this
unique Abbey offers the warmth and hospitality of its peaceful
environs. The Abbey was originally intended to be a castle by
Mitchell Henry as a gift for his wife, in 1868. The Gothic
Church, set in the grounds of the Abbey, is the jewel in the
crown of Kylemore. Here you will celebrate Mass in the Gothic
Cathedral. Alternatively drive directly to Knock. The story of
the apparition at Knock dates back to Aug 21st, 1879.
Day 4 - Knock
Today you will spend the day in prayer and reflection at the
Holy Shrine. You will also have an opportunity to see Knock
Museum. Knock Folk Museum portrays aspects of rural life in
Ireland at the end of the 19th Century and early 20th Century.
With over 2,000 exhibits on display. Dinner and overnight in
Knock
Day 5 - Knock
This morning you will travel to Ballintubber for a full day
retreat. Ballintubber Abbey is one of the few medieval churches
where mass has been celebrated continually for almost 800 years.
Legend has it that St. Patrick banished nine goblins there;
today it is a haven of peace, prayer and retreat with ancient
buildings now restored. The retreat will be held nearby in the
Ballintubber Abbey Retreat Experience (Jun to Sep). Return to
Knock for overnight.
Day 6 - Knock - Dublin
After breakfast and Mass in the Old Church or the Church of the
Apparitions, you will head to Ireland's Capital city of Dublin
where you will enjoy free time before dinner and overnight.
Day 7 - Dublin
This morning your Dublin city guide will meet you at your hotel
for a full day tour of the sights of Dublin. Mass will be at
Sean McDermott Street Church, which contains the tomb of Matt
Talbot. On your city tour you will experience all the wonderful
sights and landmarks of this ancient city. The tour includes
some of Dublin's most renowned sites, such as St Patrick's
Cathedral, Christchurch Cathedral and the Book of Kells.
Traditionally the place where the cathedral lies today was the
place where St. Patrick baptized the pagans to Christianity in
the 5th century and there has been a church there since. Christ
church Cathedral is one of the finest cathedrals in Ireland.
Trinity College is a residential college in the heart of the
city. Here you will visit the Colonnades, which houses the
college's greatest treasures, of which the most famous is the
Book Of Kells. The book is a magnificently illustrated, in
Celtic design, version of the Gospels designed by unknown hands
in the monastery of Kells in Meath about 800. It was presented
to Trinity College in the mid-17th Century in order to save it
from Cromwell's army. You will also see the Georgian Squares,
O'Connell Street, the Greens and the Phoenix Park that is the
largest urban parkland area in Europe. The president of Ireland
resides here. Dinner and overnight in Dublin.
Day 8 - Dublin - USA
This morning your driver will bring you to Dublin airport for
your departure flight to the USA.
