Journal

About the Pilgrimage

Join us for our next pilgrimage to the Emerald Isle of Ireland where we will discover the Catholic heritage of this courageous Catholic land. The beauty of this country has to be seen to be believed. It would also be harder to find a friendlier country. To see videos of one of our earlier pilgrimages to Ireland, click here and here and here.

We will have Fr. James Conlon with us again! He is a citizen of Ireland and pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Ann Arbor, MI. He was an Irish barrister (lawyer) before becoming a priest. He will share his intimate knowledge and love his country with us.

We will study and discover the rich and long history of the Catholic Faith in this land of saints and scholars. We will also learn their suffering and struggles with the Protestant Reformation and the English oppression. We will see the most sacred sites and beautiful churches including those related to St. Patrick, Our Lady of Knock and many more. None of the spectacular castles and landscapes will be missed.

ITINERARY

Day 1

Depart USA

Depart the USA on overnight flights to Ireland’s capital city, Dublin.

Day 2

Tuesday, August 6

Dublin | Westport

Arrive at Dublin Airport where you will be met with a Cead mile Failte (a hundred thousand welcomes) by Steve & Janet Ray and your Irish Catholic Tour Director. Head west through the Midlands of Ireland and lunch in the town of Athlone before continuing onto the monastic site of St Ciaran at Clonmacnoise for a visit and the celebration of Mass at the Pope’s Shelter (pending final confirmation). Continue to Westport and your hotel. Tonight, we have a welcome dinner at our hotel and overnight.

Day 3

Wednesday, August 7

Knock Shrine | Galway | Westport

After breakfast, depart for a visit to Ireland’s most famous pilgrimage site at Knock in County Mayo. Here learn about the 1879 apparition of Our Lady, then celebrate Mass in the Apparition Chapel of Knock Shrine. Steve will give his insightful talk about the apparition at Knock and the Book of Revelation. Travel south to Galway and some free time to explore the city. On return to Westport Enjoy a variety of excellent pubs where there will be great Irish music and time to mix with local people.

Day 4

Thursday, August 8

Galway | Limerick | Sneem

Depart Westport and travel south to the village of Bunratty and time to explore Bunratty Castle & Folk Park. Onwards to Limerick City for an overview of King Johns Castle, St Mary’s Cathedral and the parts of the city associated with Angela’s Ashes, by Frank McCourt. Celebrate Mass in the Trinitarian Church in Adare before onwards to the picturesque village of Sneem for overnight. Dinner in your hotel.

Day 5

Friday, August 9

Ring of Kerry | Sneem

After a full Irish breakfast, travel over the mountains to the grounds and gardens of Muckross House & National Park. Optional Horse & Buggy Ride through the Park before celebrating Mass in St Mary’s Cathedral in Killarney. Continue out along the Ivergah Peninsula known as the Ring of Kerry. We return to Sneem and tonight we have a Traditional Irish Evening with music and dance in a local Pub. Overnight in Sneem.

Blarney | Rock of Cashel | Kilkenny

Travel over the Cork/Kerry border to Blarney Castle with its famous Blarney Stone. Time to kiss the Blarney Stone, if you so wish, and to shop in the extensive Blarney Woolen Mills, which houses gifts and crafts from throughout Ireland. After lunch on your own, visit the Rock of Cashel, Ireland’s most famous ancient religious site. Celebrate Mass in the beautifully restored Holy Cross Abbey which houses a relic of the True Cross. Continue to Kilkenny for dinner and overnight in your hotel.

Day 7

Sunday, August 11

Kilkenny | Glendalough | Dublin

After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of the Medieval City of Kilkenny and time in the Kilkenny Design Centre before we travel over the Wicklow Mountains to the 6th Century Monastic site of St Kevin at Glendalough for a guided tour. Celebrate Mass in nearby Laragh Church before continuing to Dublin for check-in and the evening to explore the many restaurants and pubs in Ireland’s capital city. Overnight in Dublin for the next 3 nights.

Day 8

Monday, August 12

St. Patrick’s Cathedral | Guinness Brewery | Dublin

Morning visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral where Jonathan Swift was once Dean. Enjoy the Georgian architecture of Merrion Square and see the Memorial Sculpture of Oscar Wilde. This afternoon, take a tour of the Guinness Brewery and Storehouse and admire spectacular views of the city. Celebrate Mass in Dublin’s ProCathedral. Dinner on your own and overnight in Dublin.

Day 9

Tuesday, August 13

Book of Kells | Dublin

After a full Irish breakfast, visit Trinity College, see the magnificent Book of Kells, an illuminated copy of the Four Gospels. This afternoon is free to do some last minute shopping in the Grafton and Nassau Street areas or sightsee on your own to see the wonderful National Museum or Jameson Distillery. Celebrate Vigil Mass at St. Teresa’s Church, just off Grafton Street. Farewell Dinner with traditional Irish Music and dancing. Overnight in Dublin.

Day 10

Wednesday, August 14

Return to USA

Bid goodbye to the Emerald Isle and newfound friends before the return flight from Dublin Airport.