Tour # IRE0619

Mon, June 19^th: Boston/Shannon - Depart Logan Airport on your overnight flight to Shannon.

Tue, June 20^th:  Shannon/Cliffs of Moher/Knock - Upon arrival in Shannon we are transferred to KNOCK.  En route we stop at the Cliffs of Moher, Ireland’s most visited sight. The Cliffs of Moher rise from Hag's Head to the south and reach their highest point just north of O'Briens Tower. On a clear day, the view is tremendous. Upon arrival in KNOCK, we are transferred to our hotel. After time to rest, we have a tour of the Shrine of Knock including a visit to the Parish Church where on August 21, 1879 fifteen people saw a vision of St. Joseph, Our Lady, the Lamb of God and St. John the Evangelist.  Next we go to the Basilica of Our Lady, Queen of Ireland and we end our tour at the Cemetery where the visionaries are buried. Mass: Knock Shrine.

Wed, June 21^st: Knock/Connemara/Knock - After breakfast, we visit CONNEMARA famous for its rugged scenery and its Twelve Bens Mountains.  Then to Croagh Patrick where you may climb the first level of the mountain to see where St. Patrick spent 40 days of Lent in prayer and fasting. Time to visit the National Potato Famine Memorial before continuing to Kylemore Abbey which is run by Benedictine Nuns. You’ll have time to visit the Abbey, grounds and craft shop with free time for lunch, on your own.  After lunch, we continue to Ballintuber Abbey where Mass has been celebrated for 780 years.  Mass: Ballintuber Abbey.

Thu, June 22^nd: Knock/Loug Derg/Knock - Today we travel north to LOUGH DERG. St. Patrick is reputed to have visited Lough Derg in 445 when he spent time there alone in prayer and penance. The Penitential Beds on Station Island belong to the Celtic monastic period. There was a special devotion to St. Brigid in this part of Donegal. Adjacent to the Visitor Center is a small chapel dedicated to St. Brigid. After our retreat (pending approval by the Prior), we return to Knock. Mass: At the Retreat

Fri, June 23^rd: Knock - Free day for private devotion. Mass: Parish Church Knock

Sat, June 24^th: Knock/Clonmacnois/Dublin - Morning departure to DUBLIN. En route we stop at CLONMACNOIS. Clonmacnois was founded by St. Ciaran in 545 AD. Situated on the banks of the tranquil River Shannon, the 6^th century monastic site contains a round tower and the remains of nine churches.  Upon arrival in Dublin we visit The Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel run by the White Friars.  Here we will have Mass followed by a visit to the relics of St. Valentine and we drink the water from St. Albert of Sicily’s Holy Well. After Mass we check into our hotel.  Mass: Whitefriars

Sun, June 25^th: Dublin - Today we have a panorama of the city. We stop at Trinity College to see the Book of Kells and the National Museum to see the Ardagh Chalice.

Mon, June 26^th: Dublin/Glendalough/Kildare/Waterford - Morning departure to WATERFORD. En route we stop at GLENDALOUGH. St. Kevin was born of a royal line of the tribe of Dal-Mesincorb. Kevin studied with Eogan, Lochan, and Enna in Tallaght at the age of twelve. He left the monastery while still very young and went to Glendalough in the Wicklow mountains as a hermit. He lived an ascetic life there undisturbed for many years.  We will walk through the grounds of the monastic city to see the hermitage of St. Kevin, the Cathedral at Glendalough and St. Kevin's Well which is located outside the monastery walls.

Next to Kildare to visit the double monastery founded by St. Bridgit. We will see the Fire Temple and the Bell Tower at Kildare and St. Bridgit's well.  After our visit we continue to Waterford to visit the Waterford Crystal factory to see how sand, lead and potash are transformed into sparkling crystal. Mass: In Glendalough

Tue, June 27^th: Waterford/Our Lady’s Island/Cashel/Waterford - We start our day at Our Lady’s Island. Every year people in ever growing numbers can be seen moving quietly round the Island in groups, large and small or just on their own; reciting the rosary and sharing with Jesus and Mary through the mysteries of this great prayer. After our visit of Our Lady’s Island, we will go to CASHEL to visit Holy Cross Abbey and make the Stations of the Cross and see the Rock of Cashel where we see the St. Patrick Cross. 

Wed, Jube 28^th: Waterford/Ring of Kerry - Today we see the captivating mountain and coastal scenery of the Ring of Kerry. We stop for afternoon tea before arriving at our hotel. Mass: Local church

Thu, June 29^th: Kerry/Dingle Peninsula/Bunratty - After Breakfast we depart to BUNRATTY.  En route we stop at the Dingle Peninsula to see the Gallarus Oratory. The Gallarus Oratory (house of prayer) is the most perfectly preserved type of dry stone oratory built entirely without mortar. Although the Dingle Peninsula, Co Kerry, is exposed to the fierce winds and rains from the Atlantic Ocean, the interior of the Gallarus Oratory is perfectly dry and silent, a testament to the skills of its builders. Upon arrival in Bunratty, we will have free time to shop at some of the best shops in Ireland. This evening, we will have our “Farewell Dinner” at a traditional Irish Pub. Mass: Local Church

*Terms & Conditions: Cancellation made by passengers. Of the $500.00 deposit, $200.00 is non-refundable in case of cancellation. 70 days to 46 days a $500.00 penalty is imposed. 45 days to 16 days a $500.00 penalty PLUS any penalty imposed by the airlines and hotels. 15 days or less may result in loss of entire cost, depending on what we can recover. Once travel has commenced, no refunds for unused portions can be made.