Saints, Castles, and Kings, a Pilgrimage to Ireland with Brooke Taylor and Bishop John Keehner

Tonight we depart Cleveland on an overnight flight to Dublin. Dinner and breakfast are served on the plane. Quotes for add-on flights from most major airports and for optional Premium Economy and Business Class upgrades are available upon request. (Please note: specific seat assignments are not possible with group air. You may choose to book your own air if seat location on the flights is a priority)

Upon arrival at Dublin airport, our guide greets us and assists us to our motor coach. We depart Dublin, driving about an hour to reach Armagh where we stop for lunch. Then we see two St. Patrick’s churches, which sit opposite each other – one Catholic and one Protestant. We celebrate Mass at the Catholic Church and may even have a chance to meet members of the local Catholic community. Settle into our hotel in the Armagh area for dinner and an overnight stay.

Today, we visit St. Patrick’s Center, where we learn about the life of St. Patrick. Nearby is the Church of Ireland Down Cathedral, where we see the burial sites of three saints: St. Patrick, St. Brigid, and St. Columba. Time permitting, we visit Saul Church, the oldest church on Irish soil. Following Mass, we drive to County Mayo. Enroute we may even see one of the Holy Wells, which are so prominent in Ireland. Settle into our hotel. Tonight, enjoy time at leisure in Westport for dinner at one of the many pubs the city is known for. Be sure to meet the locals as you listen to Irish music and enjoy a pint. Overnight in County Mayo.

After breakfast, we travel to Knock, Ireland’s national Marian Shrine. On the 21st of August, 1879, Our Lady, St. Joseph, and St. John the Evangelist appeared at the south gable of Knock Parish Church. Fifteen people, young and old, witnessed this apparition. From this miraculous occurrence, Knock has grown to an internationally recognized Marian Shrine. The personal pilgrimage of Pope John Paul II in 1979, commemorating the centenary of the apparition, inspired an even greater devotion to the Shrine and endorsed the indelible seal of Vatican approval. Mass will be celebrated. Dinner and overnight in County Mayo.

Following a delightful Irish breakfast, we drive to Croagh Patrick, the Holy Mountain St. Patrick climbed, where he spent 40 days praying and fasting. Today we follow in the footsteps of St. Patrick, hiking to the top of the mountain. On the mountain’s slopes, we enjoy a picnic lunch our hotel has packed for us. In the afternoon, we travel toward Galway, the City of Tribes and Music, to our hotel in Oranmore. Tonight we can explore on our own, visit a pub or two, and meet some new friends. Mass will be celebrated. Dinner is at leisure. Overnight in Oranmore.

After breakfast, we have a full-day trip to Inis Mor, the largest of the Aran Islands. We take a ferry from Rossaveal to Kilronan on Inis Mor for island exploration, including a visit to Dun Aonghasa Fort on the western edge of Europe. Many consider this to be one of the most romantic spots in Ireland. Following lunch at Joe Watty’s Pub, we have time to hike, pray, and further explore this beautiful landscape before we return to our hotel. Dinner is at leisure this evening, with an opportunity to enjoy a night of fun and music in one of the city pubs. Mass will be celebrated. Overnight in Oranmore.

This morning, the drive takes us through the beautiful Connemara region to Lough Na Fooey for a farm visit and to meet the Joyce Country Sheepdogs, who keep a watchful eye on over 200 ewes spread out over a large farm area. We have time to wander through the Village of Cong, the setting for John Wayne’s movie “The Quiet Man,” before we take a 90 minute cruise with lunch. Our afternoon ends in Kylemore Abbey, where we celebrate Mass (TBC) and enjoy visiting the Abbey and the giftshop. Dinner is at leisure. Overnight in Oranmore.

The magnificent landscape of the Burren awaits us today. A local, Oliver Connell, welcomes us to his home for home-baked treats, poetry, storytelling, and, most importantly, live music in his family kitchen. (TBC) Oliver’s home is in the very heart of the Burren at Rockforest Tubber. Continuing our day, we visit the incredible Cliffs of Moher. Then, we warm up from the wind blowing at the Cliffs with an Irish coffee-making demonstration at the famous Durty Nelly’s Pub where an expert talks about the history of Irish coffee. Tonight we participate in the Bunratty Medieval Dinner. (TBC) Mass will be celebrated. Overnight in Limerick. (B.Special dinner)

After breakfast, we drive to see the magnificent Rock of Cashel, which was the seat of kings and bishops for 900 years and flourished until the early 17th century. Our next stop is Glendalough, a monastic site founded by St. Kevin. Famed for its beautiful scenery and historical monuments, Glendalough has been a center for pilgrims and visitors since the founding of its monastery by St. Kevin in the 6th Century. St. Kevin is the subject of many legends, and he is often compared to St. Francis of Assisi. We learn about the history of the monastic community through an exhibition showing us the Golden Age of early Christian Ireland. Then, enjoy a guided tour of the site, including the Round Tower, the Cathedral’s ruins, and “St. Kevin’s Kitchen,” surrounded by an old cemetery. Mass will be celebrated. Dinner and overnight in Dublin.

This morning, we drive to the Storehouse, originally built in 1904 to house the Guinness fermentation process. The core of the building is modeled on a giant pint glass. The tour takes us step by step through the brewing process, finishing at the Gravity Bar, where we can taste a pint of Guinness while enjoying panoramic views over Dublin City. We visit Trinity College to see the Book of Kells. The afternoon is free to explore the city on your own. We recommend visiting the EPIC Museum of Immigration or the National Gallery. Be sure to stop at Brazen Head Pub, the oldest in Dublin, for another great Irish experience. Our farewell dinner is accompanied by traditional Irish music and dancing. Mass will be celebrated. Overnight in Dublin. (B. Special dinner)

Following breakfast at the hotel, we are transferred to the airport for our flights back to the USA.