Celtic Pilgrimage: Ireland - Sunday, May 3 to Sunday, May 17, 2020 - Pilgrim Routes Travel

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Celtic Pilgrimage: Ireland - Sunday, May 3 to Sunday, May 17, 2020 - Pilgrim Routes Travel
Celtic Pilgrimage: Ireland
                             Sunday, May 3 to Sunday, May 17, 2020
Facilitators:
Canon Dr. Richard LeSueur
Professional Local Irish Guide

Itinerary Summary :
      Portmarnock Hotel            2 nights
      Salthill Hotel, Galway       3 nights
      Lake Hotel, Killarney        3 nights
      Glendalough, Co Wicklow 3 nights
      Mont Hotel, Dublin City      3 nights
      Total 14 nights for a 15 day trip.
________________________________
Day 1: Sunday, May 3           Arrival and Gathering               Portmarnock Hotel                D
Arrival at Dublin International Airport and transfer to Portmarnock Hotel. (20 minute drive). At 5:15
gather for a Welcome Reception during which Richard will provide an introductory overview of Celtic
history and review the tour itinerary. Dinner follows at 6:30 pm.
               Arrival
               5:15 pm Welcome Reception and Group Orientation
               6:30 Dinner, and early to bed

Day 2: Monday, May 4           The Early Story                       Portmarnock Hotel               BLD
After a hearty breakfast, meet in the lobby and drive through the rich lands of Co. Meath to the bend of
the Boyne River and the collection of Neolithic passage-tombs of Newgrange and Knowth (dated 3200
BCE. Knowth has one of the highest concentrations of megalithic art in Europe.) The passage and
chamber are illuminated once a year on December 21 at the Winter solstice. After a buffet lunch at the
Bru na Boinne Centre, we will visit the Hill of Tara the renowned seat of the High Kings of Ireland,
and an important site since the late Stone Age. The Lia Fail (stone of destiny), by which the ancient
kings were inaugurated, still stands on the hill. Nearby we will consider the Hill of Slane (site of St
Patrick’s legendary encounter with the Druids of Tara). Here St Patrick lit the Pascal Fire in 433 AD in
defiance of the High King of Tara King Laoghaire. Then continue on to the famous Celtic High
Crosses at Monasterboice and return to Portmarnock Hotel.
        7:00 am Breakfast at leisure
        8:30 am Departure
               Bru na Boinne Centre
               Newgrange: Neolithic Passage Tomb
              Lunch
               Monasterboice: High Crosses
               Hill of Tara (Hill of Slane)
        7:00 pm Dinner
Celtic Pilgrimage: Ireland - Sunday, May 3 to Sunday, May 17, 2020 - Pilgrim Routes Travel
Day 3: Tuesday, May 5         The Irish Famine                       Salthill Hotel, Galway      BLD
Depart for Strokestown and the National Famine Museum in the West of Ireland which tells the story
of the Irish Great Hunger, eviction, migration, the assisted emigration scheme enacted by Major Denis
Mahon of Strokestown Park. After lunch we continue on to Galway and the Salthill Hotel situated on
the Salthill promenade with panoramic views of Galway Bay and the Clare Hills. The hotel is I km
from Galway city centre.
        7:00 am Breakfast at leisure
        8:45 am Departure
                Stokestown National Famine Museum
                Galway City
        7:00 pm Dinner

Day 4: Wednesday, May 6              Connemara                     Salthill Hotel, Galway           BD
Today we will tour the rugged landscape of the Connemara region on the west coast of Ireland.
Arrive at Kylemore where you can explore its Gothic Church & Victorian and walled gardens.
Continue on to the town of Clifden and enjoy lunch at leisure and some free time in this bustling
town. Return to Galway and your hotel
       7:30 am Breakfast
       8:30 am Departure
               Kylemore Abbey
               Clifden
               Connemara
       7:00 pm Dinner

Day 5: Thursday, May 7                 Aran Islands                  Salthill Hotel, Galway        BLD
Depart for Inishmore, (Inis Mór) the largest of the Aran Islands, with its breathtaking scenery and
monastic community remains from early Christian times. Dara Molloy will be our island guide. Visit
to St. Enda’s at Killeany, Dun Aengus and St. Ciaran’s Church. Return to mainland.
        7:00 am Breakfast
        8:00 am Departure
                Ferry to Kilronan Harbour, Inishmore
                St. Enda’s at Killeany
             Lunch (packed by hotel)
                Dun Aengus
                St. Ciaran’s Church
        5:00 pm Ferry back to the ‘mainland’
        7:30 pm Dinner
Celtic Pilgrimage: Ireland - Sunday, May 3 to Sunday, May 17, 2020 - Pilgrim Routes Travel
Day 6: Friday, May 8          A Rugged West Coast                     The Lake Hotel               BLD
Depart your hotel and drive the south-west coast via the Burren National Park. Free time in
Ballyvaughan village. Visit Poulanbrone one of the most famous Irish portal dolmens dated to about
2500 BC. Visit Kilfenora Cathedral known as the ‘City of the Seven Crosses’ and boasts one of the
greatest concentrations of high crosses in Ireland, including the famed Doorty Cross. Lunch in the
Kilfenora Visitor Centre. Visit to the cliffs of Moher. Killimer ferry crossing of Shannon River. Check
in to The Lake Hotel and dinner.
        7:00 am Breakfast,
        8:15 am Departure
               Burren National Park - Poulanbrone
               Ballyvaughan village
               Kilfenora and lunch
               Cliffs of Moher
               Killimer ferry
               Check into the Lake Hotel
        7:00 pm Dinner

Day 7: Saturday, May 9        Dingle Peninsula                      The Lake Hotel               BLD
Travel to the Dingle Peninsula and then along the coast road below the Sliabh Mish Mountains to Slea
Head. “Walk in the footsteps of St. Brendan, the Navigator, and St. James.” Lunch and visit to the
Blasket Centre, the Gallarus Oratory and Kilmalkader.
        7:00 am Breakfast
        8:15 am Departure on the Dingle Peninsula circuit
               Slea Head - south-western end of the peninsula
               Blasket Centre and lunch
               Gallarus Oratory
               Kilmalkader Church
        7:00 pm Dinner

Day 8: Sunday, May 10           Rest and Recreation                   The Lake Hotel               BLD
After a leisure breakfast take the 5 minute drive to the 19th century Muckross House one of the finest
stately homes in Ireland. Queen Victoria of England was a house guest in 1861. After your guided
tour of the house there is time to explore the wonderful gardens . Enjoy lunch in a local pub.
Afterwards board a horse drawn jaunting cart for a ride through the scenery of the Killarney National
Park to the 15th century Ross Castle. The lake beckons and your tour includes a cruise of the lower and
Muckross lake.
        (weather permitting) Optional Day-trip to Skellig Michael
       8:00 am Breakfast
       9:30 am Departure
              Muckross House tour (think of ‘Downton Abbey’)
             Lunch
              Horse-drawn cart-ride to Ross Castle
              Lakes of Killarney Boat Tour
       6:30 pm Dinner
       8:00 pm Departure for Celtic Steps Show
Celtic Pilgrimage: Ireland - Sunday, May 3 to Sunday, May 17, 2020 - Pilgrim Routes Travel
Day 9: Monday, May 11       The Rock of Cashel and Kells            Glendalough Hotel           BLD
This morning we leave Killarney for a guided visit of The Rock of Cashel. Lunch is at the Bru Boru
Centre. We continue eastwards to visit the 12th century Kells Priory and then through the Wicklow
mountains to Glendalough. Check into the picturesque Glendalough Hotel.
       7:00 am Breakfast
       8:15 am Departure
              Rock of Cashel
              Lunch at Bru Boru Heritage Centre
              Kells Priory
              Wicklow Mountains to Glendalough
       7:00 pm Dinner

Day 10: Tuesday, May 12            The Valley of the Twin Lakes Glendalough Hotel                  BLD
Depart for Pilgrimage Walk through St Kevin’s Monastic City. We will see St Kevin’s Church,
Kevin’s Well, 10th Century Round Tower, St Kevin’s Cross and St Mary’s Church. Lunch is at the
hotel. The rest of the day will be free time to return to the Glendalough Visitor’s Center and museum.
        Breakfast from 7:30 am
        9:00 Devotional walk through the Monastic City of
                St. Kevin
                Lunch at the Hotel

              Free afternoon

       5:15 Late afternoon tea and briefing
       7:00 pm Dinner

Day 11: Wednesday, May 13            St. Kevin’s Pilgrim Walk       Glendalough Hotel           BLD
We begin our day at the Visitor’s Centre for a video on “Ireland of the Monasteries” and then meet our
specialist pilgrim guide Fr. Michael Rogers. Carry on a Pilgrim Walk to Diseart Chaoimhin (St
Kevin’s Desert) beside the Upper Lake. Visit Reefert Church, St Kevin’s Cell (foundations of Kevin’s
6th Century Hermitage, Teampall Na Skellig (The Church of the Rock) and reflections with silence
beside the Upper Lake. Lunch at the hotel and free afternoon.
        Breakfast from 8:00 am
        9:45 am Group meets at Visitor’s Centre
        10:00 am Fr. Michael Rogers: specialist pilgrim guide
                 Upper Lake: St Kevin’s Desert
                 Reefert Church, St Kevin’s Cell
                 Teampall Na Skellig (The Church of the Rock)
        1:00 pm Lunch: Hotel
                 Free afternoon
                 (optional trip to Powerscourt Gardens:
                 guests pay for access to gardens)
        5:15 Late afternoon briefing
        6:30 pm Dinner

---------- tomorrow we leave for Dublin
Celtic Pilgrimage: Ireland - Sunday, May 3 to Sunday, May 17, 2020 - Pilgrim Routes Travel
Day 12: Thursday, May 14           St. Brigid and High Crosses               The Mont Hotel        BLD
After breakfast check out of your hotel and drive to the ancient ecclesiastical site of Moone (famous
Celtic High Crosses). Afternoon visit to St Brigid’s Holy Well with prayers at the Well. Then to
Kildare and to St Brigid’s Cathedral (13th Century) and site of Brigid’s
ancient monastery. Continue to Dublin and the Mont Hotel splendidly
located across from Trinity College in the heart of the city.
        Breakfast from 7.00am at leisure
        8:30 am Luggage outside the room.
        9:00 am Departure
               Castledermot and Moone
               Lunch: Japanese Garden Café, National Stude
               A devotional pilgrimage to St. Bridget’s Well
               Kildare: St Brigid’s Cathedral and monastery (5th c.)
               Dublin to the Mont Hotel
        7:00 pm Dinner

Day 13: Friday, May 15          Dublin City                               The Mont Hotel         B
The day begins with a visit to Trinity College and the Book of Kells Exhibition (famous 8th Century
Illuminated Manuscript of the Four Gospels). The remainder of the day is a free day in Dublin for
shopping or additional sightseeing. Dinner is on your own in Dublin. At 6:30 meet in the hotel lobby to
board coach for the Gate Theatre and live show.
       Breakfast from 7.00am at leisure
               Book of Kells, Trinity College
               Rest of the day free to explore Dublin
       Lunch on your own
       Free time Options:
               “The Jeanie Johnston” Irish Emigration
                 The National Gallery, St Patrick’s
                 The Kilmainhaim Gaol
                 The Guinness Exhibit, Old Jameson Distillery
       Dinner on your own
       6:30 pm Meet in the hotel lobby for a Performance at the Gate Theatre

Day 14: Saturday, May 16 Dublin City                                         The Mont Hotel           BLD
After a pleasant breakfast we will visit the Chester Beatty Library for a guided tour of its collections.
The Library is one of the premier sources for scholarship in both the Old and New Testaments and is
home to one of the most significant collections of Islamic and Far Eastern artefacts. Then we take a
short walk to visit Christ Church Cathedral one of Dublin's oldest building and a place of pilgrimage
for almost 1,000 years. It is home to a famous 12th Century crypt, one of the oldest and largest in
Britain and Ireland. Enjoy lunch at the Brazen Head Pub officially Ireland’s oldest pub dating back to
1198 followed by a free afternoon. We all regather for a ride out to Dublin Bay and a farewell dinner at
the Aqua Restaurant, Howth, Dublin Bay.
        Breakfast from 7:30 am
        Departure time to be announced
                Chester Beatty Library
                Christ Church Cathedral
                Lunch at The Brazen Head
                Free afternoon
        6:45 pm Farewell dinner at the Aqua Restaurant, Dublin Bay.
Celtic Pilgrimage: Ireland - Sunday, May 3 to Sunday, May 17, 2020 - Pilgrim Routes Travel
Day 15: Sunday, May 17 In Thanksgiving – On our way                                             B
      Travel home, or on to other destinations.
      Check-out by 11:00am from Mont Hotel

__________ Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

As an experience of pilgrimage each day commences with a reading and prayer to help us enter into
the soul of the day and prepare for what we will be encountering. The prayers and meditations are
ecumenical and invitational. Appropriate to each site will be a few moments of guided reflection or
meditation, in addition to teachings on the Celtic tradition.

Includes:
   • All land transportation on air-conditioned bus
   • Professional Driver & Guide
   • All Hotels
   • Ferry return Rossaveal to Inishmore, Aran Islands
   • All breakfasts included
   • Most dinners – except one in Dublin when people are free.
   • Most lunches are included as indicated in the itinerary
   • All entrance fees to museums and sites
   • All fees for guest lecturers and specialist guides.
   • All resource materials
   • “Celtic Steps” An evening performance in Killarney
   • Fee to the National Museum in Dublin
   • An evening performance at Gate Theatre, Dublin
   • All tips & gratuities

Does not include:
   • Air transportation to/from Ireland
   • Travel insurance (recommended)
   • Beverages with meals
   • Individual touring in Dublin on free time
   • Two lunches
   • One dinner

Pilgrimage Highlights:
       Hill of Tara                                        Hill of Slane
       Newgrange                                           Muiredach’s High Cross, Monasterboice
Celtic Pilgrimage: Ireland - Sunday, May 3 to Sunday, May 17, 2020 - Pilgrim Routes Travel
St. Claran’s Church, Inishmore              All monastic sites in Glendalough
Trinity College Book of Kells Exhibition    Burren National Park
Rock of Cashel                              Moone High Cross
Muckross House                              Blasket Centre
National Museum, Dublin                     St. Brigid’s Cathedral
Cliffs of Moher                             Kilmalkader
Entrance to Dun Aengus Fort, Aran Islands   Gallarus Oratory
Kylemore Abbey                              St. Brigid’s Well

PILGRIM ROUTES TRAVEL INC.
Richard LeSueur
email : richard@pilgrimroutes.ca
phone: 403-493-9922
mail: PO Box 8802
        Canmore, Alberta
        T1W 0C1
Celtic Pilgrimage: Ireland - Sunday, May 3 to Sunday, May 17, 2020 - Pilgrim Routes Travel Celtic Pilgrimage: Ireland - Sunday, May 3 to Sunday, May 17, 2020 - Pilgrim Routes Travel Celtic Pilgrimage: Ireland - Sunday, May 3 to Sunday, May 17, 2020 - Pilgrim Routes Travel
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