10 Days / 8 Nights
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I bind to myself today The power of Heaven, The light of the sun, The brightness of the moon, The splendour of fire, The flashing of lightning, The swiftness of wind, The depth of sea, The stability of earth, The compactness of rocks. I bind to myself today God's Power to guide me, God's Might to uphold me, God's Wisdom to teach me, God's Eye to watch over me, God's Ear to hear me, God's Word to give me speech, God's Hand to guide me, God's Way to lie before me, God's Shield to shelter me, God's Host to secure me (from the beautiful prayer of St. Patirck, popularly known as ‘St. Patrick’s Breast-Plate’). Our journey through the spiritually rich Ireland will give us opportunity to come closer to God and gratefully consider the sacrifices and dedication of those who came before. As we visit the sites of the early Christian Church in Ireland, we will renew our commitment to the roots of our Catholic faith. The masses and meditations we celebrate along the way will draw us together as a community and will remind us of our blessings and the call to stewardship as followers of Jesus Christ.

 
 

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Depart via scheduled air service to Dublin

Day 2: Dublin Arrive in Dublin Meet your Faith Journeys Tour Manager who will assist the group to an awaiting chartered motorcoach to Dublin’s city center Enjoy a panoramic tour of Dublin’s highlights including O’Connell Street, Phoenix Park, Trinity College, and Christchurch Cathedral Late afternoon check-in at the hotel Evening Welcome Dinner and overnight

Day 3: Dublin / Cashel / Cork Breakfast at the hotel This morning, we will travel to County Cork stopping for a heritage tour and sheepdog demonstration at Jerpoint Park. Continue to the Rock of Cashel, also known as St. Patrick’s Rock. This historic site is one of the most photographed in Ireland. Only a few remnants of the early structures survive from the 5th century Lunch, on own Continue to Cork for evening dinner and overnight

Day 4: Cork / Blarney / Gougane / Killarney Breakfast at the hotel Enjoy a panoramic tour of beautiful Cork, a major Irish seaport. Visit Blarney Castle, one of Ireland’s oldest and most famous castles. At the top of the castle, lies the Blarney Stone. Those who visit Blarney Castle may hang upside-down over a sheer drop to kiss the stone, which is said to give the gift of eloquence. Lunch, on own Continue to Killarney stopping en route in Gougane Barra, whose name derives from St. Finbarr, who was said to have built a monastery here during the 6th century. Enjoy a stroll through Gougane’s Forest Park Continue to Killarney for evening dinner and overnight

Day 5:Killarney / Dingle Peninsula Breakfast at the hotel Begin in the town of Dingle with its thriving fishing harbor, shops, pubs, and narrow streets. On our drive along the Peninsula, we will admire the scenic Iveragh Peninsula, Rossbeigh Beach, and the Basket Islands. Lunch, on own Continue to the excavated monastery at Riask to see the ruins of a 6th-century monastery and 7th-century cross-slab of St. Mura, the patron saint of Fahan Explore the impressive Gallarus Oratory, an early Christian monument built in the shape of an upturned boat dating from the 7th century. It was part of a larger monastic site and was used as a place for prayer and reflection Continue to the Kerry area for evening dinner and overnight

Day 6: Burren Region / Cliffs of Moher / Galway Breakfast at the hotel This morning we will travel to County Clare, rich in Christian history, and contains many abbeys and priories whose ruins date back to the 6th century. As we drive along the coast, we will behold the majestic Cliffs of Moher Lunch, on own Continue to Galway through the Burren Region, a high plateau of porous limestone. Visit Corcomroe Abbey and three early Christian Churches Continue to Galway for evening dinner and overnight

Day 7: Connemara Breakfast at the hotel Visit the Connemara Region, famous for its scenic lakes and mountains. See Lough Corrib (the second largest lake in Ireland) then proceed through Maam Cross to the village of Leenane and Kylemore Abbey Lunch, on own Explore Kylemore Abbey, a monastery founded in 1920 for Benedictine Nuns who fled Belgium in World War I. A craft shop, pottery studio, restaurant, and gardens also surround the Abbey Return to Galway for evening dinner and overnight

Day 8: Galway / Clonmacnoise / Dublin Breakfast at the hotel Enjoy a panoramic tour of Galway including Lynch’s Castle and St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church before returning to Dublin via Clonmacnoise. Lunch, on own Explore Clonmacnoise to see the large round tower built in 1124, ruins of churches, and remarkable Cross of the Scriptures which dates from 900 AD Continue to Dublin for evening dinner and overnight

Day 9: Boyne Valley Breakfast at the hotel This morning we will visit the Boyne Valley, a complex of tombs, standing stones, hinges, and other prehistoric enclosures predating the Egyptian pyramids. Visit St. Peter’s Church in Drogheda and the shrine of St. Oliver Plunkett Lunch, on own Visit Mellifont Abbey, the first Cistercian abbey to be built in Ireland which served as a model for other Cistercian abbeys in Ireland Return to Dublin for Farewell Dinner and overnight

Day 10: Depart for home Breakfast at the hotel Transfer to Dublin Airport for return flight This is a very flexible itinerary. Except for confirmed appointments, the places of interest and the sequence of sightseeing might be changed if necessary or desirable

© Faith Journeys

A pilgrimage to the Holy Land is a rare and privileged event. Every person of faith should make such a trip a priority in one's life. However, great care is needed to make sure the experience reflects the intent of the traveler. Without careful planning, advanced preparation and attention to details while in the Holy Land, the pilgrimage can fall short of expectations. Faith Journey's is a trusted, experienced partner who can make sure your journey is a critical step towards a deeper communion with Our Savior and his people.
Deacon Bill Garrett, Archdiocese of Atlanta and President Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School