Day 1: Tues. April 14 - USA to Dublin, Ireland
Meet the group and depart from MSP airport for an overnight flight. Get excited for a fabulous trip!
Meet the group and depart from MSP airport for an overnight flight. Get excited for a fabulous trip!
Day 2: Wed. April 15 - Blarney Castle, Ireland
Arrive at Dublin Airport. Meet with our guide and driver. Head to Blarney Castle, an ancient stronghold of the McCarthy's, Lords of Muskerry, it is one of Ireland's oldest and most historic castle. Tradition holds it has power to bestow the gift of eloquence on all those who kiss the Blarney Stone. The Castle garden covering 60 acres of land including a water garden, fern garden and poison garden. Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Killarney or area.
Arrive at Dublin Airport. Meet with our guide and driver. Head to Blarney Castle, an ancient stronghold of the McCarthy's, Lords of Muskerry, it is one of Ireland's oldest and most historic castle. Tradition holds it has power to bestow the gift of eloquence on all those who kiss the Blarney Stone. The Castle garden covering 60 acres of land including a water garden, fern garden and poison garden. Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Killarney or area.
Day 3: Thurs. April 16 - Ring of Kerry Island
Breakfast in the hotel then attend Mass before heading out to the Ring of Kerry, the most famous and panoramic route in Ireland. Stop at the Killarney National Park which features beautiful lakes and mountain sceneries. The National Park visitor centre and the information point at Torc Waterfall provide information on all aspects of the park. Overnight, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Killarney or area.
Breakfast in the hotel then attend Mass before heading out to the Ring of Kerry, the most famous and panoramic route in Ireland. Stop at the Killarney National Park which features beautiful lakes and mountain sceneries. The National Park visitor centre and the information point at Torc Waterfall provide information on all aspects of the park. Overnight, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Killarney or area.
Day 4: Fri. April 17 - Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
Celebrate Mass before heading to the Cliffs of Moher situated on the Atlantic Ocean, with its amazing views. Visit O'Briens Tower built by the descendant of Brian Boru, to entertain his lady friends. Atlantic Edge is the exciting interpretive centre at the Cliffs. A huge domed cave that contains images, exhibits, displays and experiences exploring different elements of the mighty Cliffs: Ocean, Rock, Nature and Man. The visitor centre has a restaurant and shopping. Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Galway or area.
Celebrate Mass before heading to the Cliffs of Moher situated on the Atlantic Ocean, with its amazing views. Visit O'Briens Tower built by the descendant of Brian Boru, to entertain his lady friends. Atlantic Edge is the exciting interpretive centre at the Cliffs. A huge domed cave that contains images, exhibits, displays and experiences exploring different elements of the mighty Cliffs: Ocean, Rock, Nature and Man. The visitor centre has a restaurant and shopping. Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Galway or area.
Day 5: Sat. April 18 - Kylemore Abbey, Ashford Castle, Ireland
Start your day off right with Mass before traveling to Kylemore Abbey. Built in 1870 in a neo-gothic architecture style it includes a famous miniature cathedral, visitor centre, an exhibition within the house, a video about the history and Victorian Walled Garden. Next enjoy afternoon tea at the Ashford Castle a 13th century castle near Galway. Once the estate of the Guinness family, Ashford Castle opened its doors as an exclusive hotel in 1939 with 300 acres of woodlands and 19th century designed gardens, it overlooks the picturesque Lough Corrib in Connemara. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Galway or area.
Start your day off right with Mass before traveling to Kylemore Abbey. Built in 1870 in a neo-gothic architecture style it includes a famous miniature cathedral, visitor centre, an exhibition within the house, a video about the history and Victorian Walled Garden. Next enjoy afternoon tea at the Ashford Castle a 13th century castle near Galway. Once the estate of the Guinness family, Ashford Castle opened its doors as an exclusive hotel in 1939 with 300 acres of woodlands and 19th century designed gardens, it overlooks the picturesque Lough Corrib in Connemara. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Galway or area.
Day 6: Sun. April 19 - Ballintubber Abbey, Shrine of Knock, Ireland
Enjoy breakfast, celebrate Mass and visit Knock, home of one of the world's major Marian shrines. Dating back to 1879, when the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist appeared. Also visit Ballintubber Abbey built in 1216, the only church in Ireland that was founded by an Irish King and still in use today. It was built next to the site of an earlier church founded by St. Patrick in the 5th century. Dinner and overnight in the Mayo area.
Enjoy breakfast, celebrate Mass and visit Knock, home of one of the world's major Marian shrines. Dating back to 1879, when the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist appeared. Also visit Ballintubber Abbey built in 1216, the only church in Ireland that was founded by an Irish King and still in use today. It was built next to the site of an earlier church founded by St. Patrick in the 5th century. Dinner and overnight in the Mayo area.
Day 7: Mon. April 20 - St. Patrick's Purgatory, Northern, Ireland
This morning travel to Station Island aka St. Patrick's Purgatory on Lough (Lake) Derg for a half day silent retreat. This is a special sanctuary of peace and personal challenge. This small lake-island, renowned in Irish Christian tradition since the time of St. Patrick, has been receiving pilgrims continuously for well over 1000 years. Afterwards check into your hotel. Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Donegal or area.
This morning travel to Station Island aka St. Patrick's Purgatory on Lough (Lake) Derg for a half day silent retreat. This is a special sanctuary of peace and personal challenge. This small lake-island, renowned in Irish Christian tradition since the time of St. Patrick, has been receiving pilgrims continuously for well over 1000 years. Afterwards check into your hotel. Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Donegal or area.
Day 9: Wed. April 22 - Belfast, Northern Ireland
This morning attend Mass before visiting the historical sites in a Belfast Black Taxi Tour, a journey back in time to explore the many places of interest. The political murals of the Falls and the Shankill tell their own graphic story of what has been called "The Troubles" in Ireland's recent history. See the infamous Peaceline, a wall built to keep Nationalists and Loyalists apart and in the process divided the communities. After, visit the Titanic Belfast which recreates the story of the world's most famous ship in a six floor museum right besides the historic site of the original ship's construction. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, then overnight, bed and breakfast at your hotel.
This morning attend Mass before visiting the historical sites in a Belfast Black Taxi Tour, a journey back in time to explore the many places of interest. The political murals of the Falls and the Shankill tell their own graphic story of what has been called "The Troubles" in Ireland's recent history. See the infamous Peaceline, a wall built to keep Nationalists and Loyalists apart and in the process divided the communities. After, visit the Titanic Belfast which recreates the story of the world's most famous ship in a six floor museum right besides the historic site of the original ship's construction. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, then overnight, bed and breakfast at your hotel.
Day 8: Tues. April 21 - Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland
Attend Mass before traveling to the Giant's Causeway on the Northern Antrim coast. According to legend, Finn McCool created the Giants Causeway by building stepping stones to Scotland to challenge the Scottish giant Benandonner! The Visitor centre explores the major themes of mythology, geology, landscape, ecology, culture and social history based on the UNESCO World Heritage site that consists of 40,000 basalt polygonal columns formed 60 million years ago after a volcanic eruption. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant tonight. Overnight, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Belfast or area.
Attend Mass before traveling to the Giant's Causeway on the Northern Antrim coast. According to legend, Finn McCool created the Giants Causeway by building stepping stones to Scotland to challenge the Scottish giant Benandonner! The Visitor centre explores the major themes of mythology, geology, landscape, ecology, culture and social history based on the UNESCO World Heritage site that consists of 40,000 basalt polygonal columns formed 60 million years ago after a volcanic eruption. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant tonight. Overnight, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Belfast or area.
Day 10: Thurs. April 23 - St. Patrick's Cathedral and Guinness Storehouse, Ireland
Visit St. Patrick's Cathedral built in honor of Ireland's patron saint along with the famous well. See its ornate stained-glass windows and spectacular choir stalls, once used by the knights to St. Patrick. Then enjoy a visit at the Guinness Storehouse. Europe's largest stout producing brewery which opened in 1904. Today it houses a very fine exhibition dedicated to the Guinness story. After the tour, head to the Gravity Bar to enjoy their pint of Guinness. Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Dublin or area.
Visit St. Patrick's Cathedral built in honor of Ireland's patron saint along with the famous well. See its ornate stained-glass windows and spectacular choir stalls, once used by the knights to St. Patrick. Then enjoy a visit at the Guinness Storehouse. Europe's largest stout producing brewery which opened in 1904. Today it houses a very fine exhibition dedicated to the Guinness story. After the tour, head to the Gravity Bar to enjoy their pint of Guinness. Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Dublin or area.
Day 11: Fri. April 24 - Dublin, Ireland
Tour Dublin after Mass. Highlights includes historical monuments, Oscar Wilde's House, Ireland's colorful doors, Grafton Street shops, the house of Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula. Trinity College, where the famous book of Kells is permanently exhibited in its library. The university is facing the medieval district where Dublin Castle and the two Anglican Cathedrals can be found. Enjoy dinner and entertainment at the Merry Ploughboy Irish Music Pub, widely regarded as the best traditional music show in Dublin. Overnight, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Dublin or area.
Tour Dublin after Mass. Highlights includes historical monuments, Oscar Wilde's House, Ireland's colorful doors, Grafton Street shops, the house of Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula. Trinity College, where the famous book of Kells is permanently exhibited in its library. The university is facing the medieval district where Dublin Castle and the two Anglican Cathedrals can be found. Enjoy dinner and entertainment at the Merry Ploughboy Irish Music Pub, widely regarded as the best traditional music show in Dublin. Overnight, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Dublin or area.
Day 12: Sat. April 25 - Arrive in the USA
A flight home with a time zone change will get us back to MSP same day having enjoyed the Christian heritage of the beautiful Emerald Isle. Slainte!
A flight home with a time zone change will get us back to MSP same day having enjoyed the Christian heritage of the beautiful Emerald Isle. Slainte!
