0531AA6 - Catholic Ireland Pilgrimage 10 days from Tampa

We depart Tampa Airport 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, your Unitours Tour Manager welcomes you to Ireland and takes you to your motorcoach. Get a first taste of the Irish countryside with a scenic drive through the Wicklow Mountains. Here we take a guided tour of the sixth century monastic settlement to see the round tower and remains of several churches. We celebrate Mass at St. Kevin’s 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. We visit the House of Waterford Crystal, including the world’s largest collection of Waterford Crystal and a tour of the factory to see the fascinating process of glass blowing and cutting. There will be an opportunity to browse the opulent new store selling crystal. Dinner and overnight in Waterford. Late this afternoon.

This morning, we leave Ireland’s Ancient East and travel cross country to County Kerry in the Southwest. En-route stop at the Rock of Cashel, once the seat of the Kings of Munster. St. Patrick visited the rock in 450 AD, while Brian Boru was crowned the first high King of Ireland here in the tent century. Granted to the church in the twelfth century by the O’Brien clan, today the impressive stone walls enclose a round tower, a cathedral, a twelfth century Romanesque chapel and high crosses. We celebrate Mass at St. John’s Catholic Church Tralee. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Tralee.

Today, we 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 Macgillycuddy'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 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; we stop at Ladies' View for another spectacular view. We celebrate Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral Killarney. Dinner and overnight in Tralee. Mass along route.

This morning, we enjoy a 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 celebrate Mass at the Church of Ireland Kilgobbin. Then we stop in the thriving, colorful fishing port town of Dingle before leaving County Kerry on the way to the Limerick area. One final photo stop for the day is in the picturesque village of Adare where thatched houses line the street. This evening join in the fun and feasting at Bunratty or Knappogue Castle. Your medieval-style banquet is served in the Great Hall of the 15th century castle during which the lords and ladies of the castle transport you in spirit to the Middle Ages with their songs and stories. Overnight in Limerick/South County Clare. Mass along route

Today, we journey up the Wild Atlantic Way to Galway City. We enjoy a walking tour of this bohemian city passing 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. We visit the majestic marble catholic Galway Cathedral. In the afternoon we continue to the pilgrimage town of Knock to visit Knock Shrine, one of the world's leading shrines where an apparition of the Virgin Mary appeared to fifteen people on August 21, 1879. We celebrate Mass while there at the Knock Shrine. Dinner and overnight in County Mayo.

This morning, we journey 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. We drive along the heavily indented coast, which is open to the Atlantic Ocean, and pass through some fishing villages including Killybegs. 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. We celebrate Mass at the Church of Ireland in Donegal. Dinner and overnight in Donegal. Mass along route.

Today, we travel from west to east today to the capital city of Ireland. En-route stop in the town of Boyle to visit the ruins of Boyle Abbey, which dates from the 12th century. We also visit Strokestown Park House, which dates from the 17th century. This fine mansion shows the lifestyle of the affluent owners and the conditions of the servants and farmers of the area during the past centuries. The Famine Museum contains displays and description of the Famine of the 1840’s when many Irish emigrated to the United States. Upon arrival we celebrate Mass at Christ Church Cathedral. Dinner and overnight in Dublin.

This morning, a city sightseeing tour will introduce you to this capital city with its many historic buildings, delightful gardens, and lively shopping streets. Visit St. Patrick's Cathedral where author Jonathan Swift was once Dean and we celebrate Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral We then visit Trinity College where the Book of Kells, an early Christian manuscript of the four gospels, is housed. The afternoon is leisurely so that you can browse shops and sightseeing 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. Tonight, we enjoy our “farewell” dinner and overnight in Dublin. Mass along route.

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