Ireland ~ In The Footsteps of St. Patrick   9 Day Itinerary

Day 1:  DEPART USA
Enjoy an overnight flight to Dublin with meals served aboard the aircraft.

Day 2:  ARRIVE DUBLIN

Arrive Dublin early morning where the group will be met by the tour guide. First we will celebrate Mass and then enjoy a sightseeing tour of Ireland’s capital city, including visits to St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Trinity College, where the Book of Kells is kept. Also see O’Connell Street, Christchurch Cathedral, Phoenix Park, and the GPO. Visit also to Irish Whiskey Corner. The afternoon and evening are free. Dinner and overnight in Dublin. (D)

Day 3:  DUBLIN / CAVAN

After breakfast we drive through the Boyne Valley at Slane, where St. Patrick lit the first paschal fire on the hill in AD 434 as a challenge to King Laoghaire’s fire on the nearby Hill of Tara. Also, visit St. Brigid's Shrine at Faughart, home to the beloved ST. BRIGID, called, "The Mary of the Gael". Continue to Drogheda to visit St. Peters Church where the head of ST. OLIVER PLUNKET can be seen; and to Monasterboice Monastery, now ruins, which was founded in 521 by SAINT BUITE and which contains two of the finest 9^th century High Crosses in Ireland.  Continue to Cavan for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Day 4:  ARMAGH / DOWNPATRICK

After breakfast today, drive into Northern Ireland, to the spiritual center of Ireland – Armagh, where you will visit the twin cathedrals: the seats of the Anglican and Roman Catholic Archbishops of Ireland. Continue to County Down to the burial site of St. Patrick. Also, visit the new visitor center at Downpatrick for a presentation of the story of St. Patrick, based mostly on his writings and up to date research and archaeological finds. Return to Cavan for dinner and overnight. (B,D)
 

Day 5:  CROAGH PATRICK

After breakfast we travel west across the heart of Ireland.into County Mayo. Travel to Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s “Holy Mountain” which rises above the shores of island-strewn Clew Bay. It was here that St. Patrick spent the forty days of Lent in the year 441AD in prayer and fasting. The summer after John Paul II’s visit to Ireland in 1979, 60,000 pilgrims climbed the mountain on Garland Sunday. Continue to Ballina for dinner and overnight. (B,D)
 

Day 6:  KNOCK

Today depart to Our Lady’s Shrine at Knock. Knock, often referred to as the “Lourdes of Ireland”, is the site of an apparition of the Blessed Mother, Saint Joseph and Saint John in the year 1879.  The highlight of the day in Knock will be a visit to the large Basilica dedicated to “Our Lady, Queen of Ireland.”  You will also have an opportunity to see Knock Museum, which portrays aspects of rural life in Ireland at the end of the 19th Century and early 20th Century. Return to Ballina for dinner on your own. Overnight in Ballina. (B)
 

Day 7:  CONNEMARA / GALWAY
Enjoy some time in the Connemara region, famous for its lakes and mountains, where Gaelic is still spoken.  Take a scenic ride along the shores of Lough Corrib and westward through Maam Cross to Leenane and to Kylemore Abbey (a Benedictine Abbey, and Gothic Church with Victorian walled garden), and continue to Galway via the coastal route, stopping in Spiddal, a coastal market town famous for its Irish knitwear. Dinner and overnight in Galway.  (B,D)

Day 8:  GALWAY / CLONMACNOISE

After breakfast we depart through central Ireland to Clonmacnoise, founded by ST. CIARAN in the 6^th century, and one of the most famous religious sites in Ireland as well as being a major place of pilgrimage.  It was visited by Pope John Paul II in 1979.  Situated on the water meadows of the River Shannon, the area includes a cathedral, eight ruined churches, and a variety of other buildings. It is truly a fascinating area to visit.  Return to Galway with the afternoon free to explore the “City of the Tribes” on your own. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Galway. (B)

Day 9: IRELAND / USA

After enjoying breakfast at hotel, transfer to Shannon Airport. Arrive USA same day. (B)

Included Highlights:

 * Airfare: Roundtrip from New York area airport

 * Accommodations: 9 Days / 7 nights Superior Tourist Class Hotels.

 * Meals: Full Irish breakfast daily, 5 dinners.

 * Sightseeing: As indicated in the itinerary.

 * Also Included: Daily Mass, Airport-hotel transfers, hotel tips and taxes, baggage handling, Touring by Private Air Conditioned Motorcoach, Services of Professional Driver and Tour Escort.