Ireland: In the Footsteps of St. Patrick

YOUR TRIP INCLUDES:
Round-trip air from New York to Ireland

6 nights accommodation in 3-star hotels:

1 night: Galway
3 nights: Knock
2 nights: Dublin
Breakfast and dinner daily
All transfers by private motor coach
Guided tours & entrance fees
Catholic Priest and Mass daily
Luggage handling

Flight bag & portfolio of all travel documents

Not Included: Lunches, Beverages with dinners, Airport tax (approx. $200-$380). Travel Insurance optional at $99-$219. Tips to your guide & driver ($6

per day). Items of a personal nature.

Sample Day-by-Day Itinerary:

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.

*2009 Travel Dates:

Mar 20 – 27
Apr 03 – 10
Apr 17 – 24
May 01 – 08
May 15 – 22
May 29 – Jun 05
Jun 12 – 19
Jul 24 – 31
Aug 21 – 28
Sep 04 – 11
Sep 18 – 25
Oct 02 – 09
Oct 16 – 23
Nov 06 – 13

2010 Travel Dates:

Feb 05 – 12
Mar 05 – 12
Apr 02 – 09
Apr 16 – 23
May 03 – 07
May 14 – 21
May 28 – Jun 04
Jun 11 – 18
Jul 23 – 30
Aug 20 – 27
Sep 03 – 10
Sep 17 – 24
Oct 01 – 08
Oct 15 – 22
Nov 05 – 12

In categories: Tours for Groups