IRISH FAITH, CULTURE & HISTORY
CUSTOM CATHOLIC TOUR OF
Southern Ireland
13 Day Tour
HIGHLIGHTS
• In-depth Southern Ireland tour to Dublin, Killarney, Adare, Bunratty, Galway, InisMor, Connemara, &Clonmacnoise.
• Interesting and fun entertainment and experiences.
• Educational and entertaining sightseeing through in-depth tours.
• Quality hotels in central locations, great food, and free time for individual exploration.
Day 1: Departure
Depart on overnight flight to Dublin, Ireland. Group air to be offered September, 2016.
Day 2: Dublin
Arrive at Dublin Airport and meet with your professional driver and licensed guide who will welcome you to the Emerald Isle. After enjoying a welcome breakfast at a nearby hotel (for arrivals prior to 9.00am), travel into the city and enjoy a short orientation tour that will include visits Trinity College Library and the Book of Kells exhibition and Guinness Storehouse. After time for lunch, check into your hotel where the remainder of the day will be free before your welcome dinner. Mass will be arranged at St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral. Overnight Dublin DBB
Day 3: Dublin
Depart the hotel after breakfast for Mass at the Church of the Assumption in Howth. Following Mass, travel to Howth Castle for a cooking class in the Kitchen in the Castle. Take a walk around the beautiful fishing harbour with its famous seal colony before boarding a 90 minute cruise to Dun Laoghaire where your coach will be waiting to take you back to your hotel. This evening you will be free to explore this exciting city and experience one of the many restaurants and pubs. Overnight Dublin BB
Day 4: Dublin
After breakfast and travel through the Garden of Ireland, Wicklow, to the early Christian ecclesiastical settlement founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century at Glendalough. Set in a glaciated valley with two lakes, the monastic remains include a superb round tower, stone churches and decorated crosses. Mass will be celebrated at St. Kevin’s Parish Church after your visit to the monastic city and then travel back to Dublin and visit Christchurch Cathedral. This evening enjoy a Folklore and Fairies dinner at the oldest pub in Dublin, the Brazen Head. Overnight Dublin DBB
Day 5: Killarney
Check out of your hotel and travel to the iconic Rock of Cashel. The Rock is a spectacular group of medieval buildings set on an outcrop of limestone in the Golden Vale. Continue to one of Ireland’s largest and best preserved castles, Cahir Castle. Located on the River Suir it was once the stronghold of the powerful Butler family and retains its impressive keep. Finally for today enjoy the scenery as you travel to the popular town of Killarney. Overnight Killarney DBB
Day 6: Killarney
This morning after breakfast you will be collected by jaunting cars (horse & carriage) and taken on a magical ride through Killarney National Park. Your coach will meet you at Ross Castle and take you on a tour of the Dingle Peninsula with its magnificent scenery and ancient sites. On your return and after an early dinner at a local restaurant, you will be entertained with a traditional/Celtic Music Show at the Killarney School of Music. Overnight Killarney DBB
Day 7: Killarney
After breakfast visit Blarney Castle where the famous Blarney Stone will be found. For those brave enough climb the ramparts of the castle and kiss the stone which is said to grant the gift of eloquence. There will be time to visit the nearby Blarney Woollen Mills which stocks many quality Irish made goods to remind you of your visit. Then travel to Cobh where thousands of emigrants departed for a better life during the famine years and which was the last port of call of the Titanic. After the visits take the short journey to Midleton where the Old Jameson’s Distillery is located and see how this world famous whiskey is distilled and of course sample the golden nectar. Mass will be arranged during the day and this evening you will be free to sample one of the many eateries in the town. Overnight Killarney BB
Day 8: Bunratty
Check out of your hotel after breakfast and travel to one of Ireland’s prettiest villages, Adare. Walk along the main street which is lined with thatched roofed cottages or visit the old priory and monastery before departing to one of Ireland’s most complete castles, Bunratty. Within the grounds of Bunratty Castle is Bunratty Folk Park where 19th century life is vividly recreated. Set on 26 acres, the impressive park features over 30 buildings in a ‘living’ village and rural setting complete with school, post office, doctors house, hardware shop, printers and of course the pub! Lunchcan be had at Durty Nelly’s, one of Ireland’s most famous pubs. This evening enjoy a medieval banquet at Bunratty or nearby Knappogue Castle.Overnight Bunratty area DBB
Day 9: Galway
After a leisurely breakfast travel through the wonderful countryside to the majestic Cliffs of Moher, which rise to 214 meters (702 feet) and the views from the visitor center are breathtaking. Continue through the lime stone landscape of the Burren to Galway. On the way you will see such sights as the Poulnabrone Dolmen, a portal tomb dating back to the Neolithic period, and Caherconnell Stone Fort. Arrive in Galway in time for evening Mass after which you will be free for independent dining. Overnight Galway BB
Day 10: Galway
After breakfast take the ferry to InisMor, the largest of the Aran Islands. The rugged, natural beauty along with thatch roofed stone cottages that dot the islands provide a splendid example of Celtic and early Christian heritage and gives one the impression that they have just travelled back in time. The forts, churches and monasteries will leave you in bewildered awe at how people lived on this rock infested island. The islanders still speak their native language but will have no problem in communicating in English. Mass will be celebrated on the island. This evening enjoy one of the many pubs or restaurants in Galway for dinner. Overnight Galway BB
Day 11: Galway
Today explore another of Ireland’s famous scenic regions, Connemara. Here the constantly changing cloud formations give hills, lakes and peat bogs an added dimension. Visit Kylemore Abbey which is home to the Benedictine Nuns where you can visit their walled garden and Gothic church whilst enjoying the tranquility of the estate. Then travel to Ireland’s Marian Shrine at Knock where, on the 21st August, 1879, fifteen people from the village witnessed an Apparition of Our Lady, St. Joseph, St. John the Evangelist, a Lamb and cross on an altar at the gable wall of the Parish Church. Mass will be celebrated at Knock before returning to Galway where the remainder of the day will be free for independent sightseeing, shopping and dining. Overnight Galway BB
Day 12: Dublin
Drive to the center of the country to visit Clonmacnoise. This early Christian monastic site was founded by St. Ciaran in 545 AD, when Christianity flourished throughout Ireland. See round towers, church ruins and Celtic crosses with elaborate carvings, all in a picturesque setting on the banks of the River Shannon. Continue to the BrunaBoinne Visitor Centre and the 5000 year old passage tomb at Newgrange or Knowth. Return to Dublin in time to relax before your hearty farewell dinner followed by a lively show of traditional music, songs and dance. Overnight Dublin DBB
Day 13: Departure
Transfer to Dublin Airport for your return flight.