1012UA6 - Ireland Pilgrimage 11 days from Cleveland

We depart Cleveland to connect with our overnight flight to the Emerald Isle. We enjoy in-flight movies, dinner, and breakfast aloft.

After customs and immigration formalities at Dublin Airport, our driver and guide welcome us to Ireland escort us to our motorcoach. We enjoy a first taste of the Irish countryside with a scenic drive through the Wicklow Mountains. We tour of the sixth century monastic settlement to see the round tower and remains of several churches, and celebrate our opening Mass here, if possible. (Otherwise, Mass will be at a local parish). The Visitor Center explains the history of this early Christian site which was an important center of learning and well-known throughout Europe. We continue to Waterford, a riverfront city of Viking origins, famous for its hand cut crystal. Lunch is on our own here. We visit the House of Waterford Crystal, the world’s largest collection of Waterford Crystal, and tour the factory to see the fascinating process of glass blowing and cutting. We have time to browse the opulent new store selling crystal. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Waterford.

We depart Ireland’s Ancient East and travel cross country to County Kerry in the Southwest. En-route we stop in Blarney where we can climb to the battlements of fabled 15th century Blarney Castle to kiss the famous "stone of eloquence". Lunch is on our own, then some free time in the Blarney Woolen Mills to shop the excellent selection of Irish goods. Mass at a local parish. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Tralee.

Today travel around the Ring of Kerry, one of Ireland's most popular drives. With its spectacular scenery, unusually mild climate and rapid changes in light and weather, this is a bewitching place of intense beauty. Ireland's highest mountains, the Magillycuddy's Reeks, raise a jagged edge to the sky while at their feet rest three still lakes, studded with little islands, set among forests and lush glens. We enjoy Mass at a local parish. Lunch is on our own along the way. We drive through the remote villages of Cahirciveen and Derrynane to Sneem, a village of colorful houses grouped around two squares. We continue through Moll's Gap, with its views over the three lakes; and stop at Ladies' View for another spectacular view. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Tralee.

Today we drive along the Dingle Peninsula. The peninsula juts out into the Atlantic to claim Ireland's most westerly point. Here, majestic hills soar green and purple over vast unspoiled valleys, glittering mountain streams tumble down to lakes, hedgerows blaze with fuchsias, and soft, golden beaches stretch for miles. The peninsula is Gaeltacht, an area where the Irish language is preserved. It also has some two thousand sites of prehistoric and early Christian remains. We stop in the thriving, colorful fishing port town of Dingle before leaving County Kerry on the way to the Limerick area. We enjoy Mass at a local parish. Lunch is on our own here. One final photo stop for the day is in the picturesque village of Adare, where thatched houses line the street. This evening, we join in the fun and feasting at Bunratty or Knappogue Castle. Our medieval-style banquet is served in the Great Hall of the 15th century castle, during which the lords and ladies of the castle transport us in spirit to the Middle Ages with their songs and stories. Dinner and overnight in our hotel Limerick/South County Clare.

This morning we journey up the spectacular Wild Atlantic Way and through the rounded limestone hills of the Burren country. Along the way, visit the Cliffs of Moher. This impressive wall of rock rises to heights of almost seven hundred feet above the Atlantic and stretches for five miles along the coast. Continue to Galway City and enjoy a walking tour of this bohemian city. Pass by the Spanish Arch in the Claddagh area, formerly a fishing village but now a suburb of the city, and Lynch's Castle, one of the finest town houses remaining in Ireland. Finish with a visit to the majestic marble Catholic Galway Cathedral. We celebrate our Mass here before our lunch on our own. In the afternoon spend some time around Eyre Square, the hub of the city, where most of the shops are within easy reach. Or you may choose to stop by one of the many quaint pubs where traditional Irish music is played. Tonight, we drive to Abbeyglen Castle where we enjoy dinner. Overnight in the castle.

Today we travel through the Connemara region renowned for its gentle mountains, the Twelve Pins and open landscape with constantly changing skies and subtle colors. Our drive continues past the stark and soaring pinnacle of Croagh Patrick, where it is said that St. Patrick fasted for forty days and won the mountain for Christianity. Along the way, we stop for lunch on our own. We pass by Westport, an attractive estate town situated on Clew Bay and on to Knock. We visit Knock Shrine, a center of pilgrimage, where an apparition of the Virgin Mary appeared to fifteen people from the village on August 21, 1879. Our Sunday Mass is celebrated here at the Shrine of Our Lady of Knock. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in County Mayo.

We proceed further into the wild northwest and enjoy a tour of the countryside of the untouched County Donegal. It is a region famous for its scenery and varying colors of the hills. Drive along the heavily indented coast, which is open to the Atlantic Ocean, and pass through some fishing villages including Killybegs. Mass at a local parish and lunch along the way on our own. We continue through windswept mountains and open countryside, where few people can survive, but where sheep graze freely. With so many sheep, Donegal is famous for its tweed and wool production, often dyed in soft hues, which reflect the colors of the countryside. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Donegal.

This morning we journey from west to east toward Dublin, the capital city of Ireland. En-route, we stop in the town of Boyle to visit the ruins of Boyle Abbey, which dates from the 12th century. We have Mass here. Lunch on our own along the way. We visit Strokestown Park House, which dates from the 17th century. This fine mansion shows the lifestyle of the affluent owners and On the north side of the city try O'Connell Street with its tree-lined walk of massive statues, or the pedestrianized Henry Street which leads to the Moore Street Market where modern day "Molly Malones" sell cockles, mussels, fruit, and vegetables. The other main shopping hub is around Powerscourt Center, Nassau Street and Grafton Street, Dublin's most fashionable walkway with its gaudy shop signs, department stores, restaurants, and cafes. - In the evening, we are free to choose from the many restaurants, theaters, and pubs that Dublin has to offer as dinner is on your own. Overnight at our hotel in Dublin.

A city sightseeing tour will introduce you to this capital city with its many historic buildings, delightful gardens, and lively shopping streets. We visit and celebrate our Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral where author Jonathan Swift was once Dean and then Trinity College where the Book of Kells, an early Christian manuscript of the four gospels, is housed. Lunch on our own in Dublin. The afternoon is at leisure so that you can browse shops and sightsee independently. If you enjoy shopping, there are a considerable number of department stores and boutiques. On the north side of the city try O'Connell Street with its tree-lined walk of massive statues, or the pedestrianized Henry Street which leads to the Moore Street Market where modern day "Molly Malones" sell cockles, mussels, fruit, and vegetables. The other main shopping hub is around Powerscourt Center, Nassau Street and Grafton Street, Dublin's most fashionable walkway with its gaudy shop signs, department stores, restaurants, and cafes. - In the evening you are free to choose from the many restaurants, theaters, and pubs that Dublin has to offer as dinner is on your own. Overnight in Dublin.

We transfer to the airport for our flight home with unforgettable memories to cherish always.