Make your way to your local airport where you will board your overnight flight. Your meals are served on board.

Cead Mile Failte – Welcome to Ireland! Upon arrival into Dublin, collect your luggage, pass through passport and customs control, then walk to the Arrivals Hall where you will meet your tour guide, and, or driver. Depending on your arrival time, check into your hotel. We will begin our adventure with a panoramic tour of the city on both sides of the River Liffey, where we pass by Phoenix Park, the largest city park in Europe. On the other side of the river are Georgian squares characterized by colorful doors, and Trinity College, the oldest university in Ireland. It was founded in 1592 by Elizabeth I. Time permitting, we will visit the ancient library at Trinity College containing over 20,000 manuscripts, among which is the famous illuminated Gospel manuscript: the Book of Kells. We will celebrate Mass and have dinner before our overnight stay in Dublin.

Full Irish breakfast in Hotel . Visit to Guinness Storehouse and explore the Guinness story through the iconic building and enjoy a pint of Guinness at the end of the tour. Mid morning, we will travel through the beautiful mountains of Wicklow, also known as the “Garden of Ireland,” until we reach Glendalough. This ancient monastic city, established in the 6th century by St. Kevin, is in the heart of “the valley of the two lakes.” It was a very important centre of learning, as well as a pilgrimage destination. There are many legends regarding St. Kevin and he is often compared to St. Francis of Assisi. You will be taken on a guided tour, in which you will see an Irish round tower, the ruins of St. Peter and St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the quaint St. Kevin’s Church which is surrounded by an old cemetery. Celebrate Mass en route. The tour continues to Baltinglass where we will come upon the ruins of a Cistercian Abbey. Continue to Kilkenny and check-in at our hotel for dinner and overnight.

After a hearty breakfast, take a tour of Kilkenny city which is a most interesting and historical city. Visit to Kilkenny castle, founded soon after the Norman conquest of Ireland, the Castle was rebuilt, extended and adapted to suit changing circumstances and uses over a period of 800 years. Today, Kilkenny Castle is largely a Victorian remodelling of the thirteenth century defensive Castle. Visit to Jerpoint Abbey, which is an outstanding Cistercian Abbey that was founded in the second half of the 12th century. Although Jerpoint Abbey is in ruins, the church, which dates from c.1160 -1200, is still relatively intact which, considering how old it is, is pretty incredible. Mass en route. Continue southwards, to Co. Tipperary we will see the Rock of Cashel, standing high in the middle of the “Golden Vale.” These religious buildings dating from the 12th century form the most spectacular medieval site in Ireland. The Rock of Cashel used to be the seat of the High Kings of Munster. The Cathedral, the Round Tower, and the Cormac Chapel (which was the first Irish Romanesque church) testify to the significance of this site. Continue to Clonmel and check-in to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, depart Hotel and travel westwards in the direction of Mallow, and onwards to Co. Kerry. We will visit Killarney and its beautiful Cathedral. Continue to Dingle, the most northern of the Kerry peninsulas. This gorgeous taste of Irish landscape looks like it is straight out of the pages of a storybook. In Early Christian Ireland monks were looking for isolated places to live, such as Gallarus Oratory on the peninsula. This oratory, which used to be a sacred place of prayer for monks, dates back to the 9th century and is excellently preserved. We will visit the town of Inch, where David Lean shot the movie “Ryan’s Daughter.” Inch is the last part of the country where the Gaelic language is commonly spoken! We will continue venturing along the Eagle Mount and the cliffs of Slea Head. Our next stop is the Kilmalkedar Church, built in the 12th century as a part of a complex of religious buildings in the Romanesque style. Celebrate Mass en route. Continue to Tralee and check-in to the Hotel for dinner and overnight.

After a good Irish breakfast, we will be heading north through Listowel and boarding a ferry at Killimor to cross the Shannon estuary. We will arrive at County Clare, visit the Church of the Little Ark in Cross/Carrigaholt (used during times of persecution) and travel northwards to Doonbeg. Short stop at Trump Golf course in Doonbeg. Continue northwards to visit the spectacular Cliffs of Moher. The Cliffs of Moher rise up to 390 feet above the Atlantic Ocean and allure their many visitors with their beauty. Drive through the strange landscape known as “the Burren” with its moonlike appearance and rare vegetation. Drive along the southern shores of Galway Bay to Ballyvaughan and in the direction of Co. Galway. Short panoramic tour of Galway City that has kept its medieval charm with its colourful streets and authentic pubs. Visit the Cathedral. Check-in at the Hotel for dinner and overnight.

Enjoy a full Irish Breakfast. Early morning, drive directly to Knock, which is a place of pilgrimage to one of the world’s leading Marian shrines. On August 21, 1879, fifteen men, women, and children witnessed an apparition of Mary. The silent apparition lasted two hours, including more than only Our Lady of Knock. The vision was of a lamb and a cross above an altar, with St. John the Apostle, Mary, and Joseph to the left. The apparition is rich in symbolism and is venerated internationally. The original parish church on the site still stands and Mass is usually celebrated at the Appartition chapel. There is also a Basilica at Knock. This church was named a basilica by Saint John Paul II when he visited in 1979. Short tour of the Grounds at Knock and visit to the interesting Museum. Early after, drive in the direction of Athlone, short stop at Seans Bar, reputed to be Irelands oldest bar. Onwards to visit the monastic site at Clonmacnoise, which is Ireland’s most important monastic site, overlooking the River Shannon. This site was founded by St. Ciaran in the 6th century and consists of a grass field containing numerous early churches, high crosses, round towers, and graves. Drive to Portlaoise and check-in at hotel for dinner and overnight.

Full Irish breakfast in Hotel. This morning, travel to Birr, Father Rosney’s native parish, where he was ordained at the 200-year old St. Brendan’s Church. Enjoy a full day in Birr. Walk of the town with some free time. Celebrate Mass at the local Church. Visit to Birr Castle Demense. Birr Castle Demesne spans 120 acres of stunning parklands and gardens, featuring over 5,000 species of trees and plants, wildlife, and scenic trails along rivers ad waterfalls. Dinner in restaurant in Birr, then return to hotel in Portlaoise for overnight.

After breakfast, depart Hotel and travel to the National Stud and Japanese Gardens in Tully, Co Kildare. The Irish National Stud is a prestigious horse breeding facility established in 1946. The facility is known for producing numerous racehorses and is a key player in Ireland’s thoroughbred industry. Visit the Japanese Gardens, unlike traditional European gardens that emphasize grandeur and symmetry. these gardens focus on simplicity, natural beauty, and the creation of peaceful contemplation spaces. Every element, from the placement of stones to the selection of plants is intended to evoke a sense of tranquility and reflection. Drive to Maynooth with a possible visit to the national Seminary in Maynooth. Mid afternoon, drive to Dublin for a little free time. Check in at Hotel for dinner and overnight.

Following breakfast, we will board our bus that will bring us to Dublin Airport for our return flights home. We will bid farewell to our new friends and to a pilgrimage which will be in our memories and hearts for a long time to come.

*206 Tours Disclaimer:
Occasionally local religious and national holidays, weather, traffic conditions and other events may necessitate changes in the sequence of events or the missing of certain events/places. Though every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, it should be considered as an indication, rather than a contract of events and places to be visited.