Peter's Way Tours | Choir Tour | Performance Tours

10-Day Pilgrimage | Heart & Soul of Celtic Spirituality

Tour Description
Itinerary

Tour Description

Pilgrimage has always been an important aspect of Irish Spirituality, dating all the way back to the country’s Celtic roots. The overwhelming beauty of the countryside makes it easy to appreciate God’s abiding presence. We will follow the missionary journeys of Celtic Christians in the early Middle Ages, after the fall of the Roman Empire in the 400’s AD. Celtic Christians took refuge from the barbarian invaders on the very edges of the known world. Celtic sisters and brothers kept the lamps of learning and piety alight, while the rest of Europe suffered through the Dark Ages. On this pilgrimage we will follow the footsteps of St. Patrick, St. Columba, St. Aidan and many others who kept Christian faith alive in difficult times. We’ll find that Celtic Christianity speaks powerfully to us today, and you will have memorable experiences to cherish. Ireland will take your breath away!

Your Package Includes:

Round-trip airfare from New York.
(Please inquire about airfares from other cities in the U.S. or Canada)
Eight (8) nights’ accommodations in tourist class hotels with private facilities.
Hotel upgrades are available upon request.
Breakfast and dinner daily.
Meeting and assistance upon arrival and departure.
Transportation in private motor-coach including airport transfers.
Sightseeing as per itinerary with a professional licensed English-speaking guide.
Porterage at hotels.
Entrance fees to all sites on itinerary.
Services of a Passages Tour Manager/Guide from arrival to departure in Ireland.
Coordination of all Liturgies.
Portfolio of travel documents, including a Passages Flight Packet.

One FREE package for group leader for every 25 participants (based on a minimum of 30 participants)

10-Day Pilgrimage priced from $2,195
	from New York, double occupancy + departure taxes/fuel surcharge, November - March For other travel seasons, please inquire. Contact us today for your custom designed pilgrimage program and detailed proposal!

10-Day Itinerary

Day 1 | Thursday | Depart for Ireland

Day 2 | Friday | Highlight Tour of Dublin

Meet the perfect match of mystery and majesty in Dublin’s “Fair City.” Walk through elegant Georgian Squares to Trinity College, the oldest university in Ireland. See the celebrated Book of Kells. Visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the traditional site of a holy well used by St. Patrick for baptisms. Explore the beauty of Dublin by foot, along the banks of the Liffey.

Day 3 | Saturday | Glendalough | Dublin

Drive through the scenic Wicklow Mountains to Glendalough, a place of tranquility for St. Patrick and St. Kevin. Visit the monastery founded by St. Kevin and explore the monastic ruins of cathedrals, churches, crosses and the famous round tower. Celebrate Vigil Mass at St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral in Dublin. Optional at additional cost enjoy a traditional Irish Dinner and Show with music and dancers!

Day 4 | Sunday | Boyne Valley, Hill of Tara & Hill of Slane | Monasterboice | Armagh

We leave Dublin for the historic Boyne Valley with Irish monuments such as Newgrange, Knowth or Loughcrew Cairns. Visit the Hill of Tara, known as the seat of the High Kings of Ireland. See the Hill of Slane where, tradition holds that from here, St. Patrick proclaimed Christianity throughout Ireland. Visit Monasterboice, "St. Buithe's Abbey," an early monastic site celebrated for its crosses. The treasure of this site is the high Cross-of Muiredach.

Day 5 | Monday | Armagh | Downpatrick

We begin the day with a visit to Armagh, which St. Patrick referred to as, “my sweet hill.” Celebrate Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. In the historic town of Downpatrick, learn and live the story of Ireland’s Patron Saint and visit the traditional burial place of Saint Patrick, marked by a granite boulder at Down Cathedral.

Day 6 | Tuesday | Giant’s Causeway

Today we leave Armagh and drive along the Antrim Coast of Ireland to explore the Giant’s Causeway. The coastal scenery adjacent to the causeway is awe inspiring with its majestic cliffs, barren bays and hidden harbours. As we travel to Derry, consider the meaning of the old Irish word Daire; “oak grove.” Oak groves were sacred places for the Celtic people. Enjoy a guided tour of the Guildhall; Derry’s main display!

Day 7 | Wednesday | Sligo | Knock | Galway

Sligo’s name means “the Place of Shells.” Enjoy County Sligo's beautiful scenery, an inspiration for Yeats, who is buried at Drumcliff. See the imposing Neolithic cairn, known locally as Queen Maeve's grave, a striking landmark on the summit of Knocknarea. We continue to Knock, Ireland’s National Marian Shrine. The pilgrimage centre of Knock is a place of great beauty and healing. Visit the prayerful Chapels, Church of the Assumption, and celebrate Mass in the Basilica.

Day 8 | Thursday | Connemara Excursion | Kylemore Abbey

The magnificent cinematic Connemara countryside is one of the most scenic regions of Ireland. Many of the ancient Irish traditions and customs are preserved; the Gaelic language is spoken; and you are invited to enter into the passion of a place where time seems to stand still. Through the Kylemore Pass in Connemara we come to another spot of breathtaking beauty - the oldest of the Irish Benedictine Abbeys. Celebrate Mass at Kylemore Abbey.

This morning, enjoy a Corrib River Cruise along one of the most spectacular waterways of Ireland. Take an adventurous drive through the “rocky” Burren Region to the majestic Cliffs of Mohr. Optional at additional cost enjoy a Feast at a “Medieval style” banquet at the famous Bunratty Castle or Knappogue Castle. The best of Irish hospitality will bless you for your return home.

Day 10 | Saturday | Return to the USA