Itinerary – Ireland Devotional
8 Day Ireland Devotional
Travel across rolling hills and dramatic wilderness in this devotional journey through the beautiful landscape of the Emerald Isle. Ireland has a long, rich Catholic history dating back to the 12th century and spanning war, famine, and persecution. Track its evolution as you meet with locals, marvel at awe-inspiring geography, and visit the beautifully preserved cathedrals, churches, and temples of long ago.
Itinerary
Day 1: Dublin – Arrival
Greeted upon arrival and transferred to hotel. After a panoramic city tour and mass at the hotel, enjoy a welcome dinner.
Day 2: Dublin
Mass at St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral with the local community. Visit Trinity College and see the Book of Kells on display. In the afternoon, visit the Saint Patrick cathedral of the 12th century and stop at the Christ Church Cathedral that belongs to dioceses of Anglicans of Dublin and Glendalough.
Day 3: Downpatrick – Armagh
Depart to Downpatrick. After a guided visit of St. Patrick Cathedral and his tomb, continue to Armagh, the spiritual capital of Ireland for 1,500 years and seat of Catholic and Protestant archbishops. After the mass and visit of the Catholic Cathedral, we will meet one of its representatives.
Day 4: Belfast – Giant’s Causeway – Letterkenny
Depart to Belfast. Visit Belfast: City Hall and Saint Ann of Belfast Cathedral. Continue to Giant’s Causeway by following the coastal road and enjoy the magnificent views of the Irish Sea. Discover the amazing geological phenomenon that inspired Finn McColl. Drive through Derry; see Guildhall where the Derry Council used to meet, and the famous city walls. Evening mass is at St Eunans Cathedral in Letterkenny followed by a meeting with a cathedral representative.
Day 5: Sligo – Knock – Castlebar
Depart to Sligo, a district center of the Protestant and Catholic Church. Visit Dominican Abbey and St. John’s protestant temple. After meeting the Bishop of Sligo at St. Mary’s Cathedral, continue to Knock – the saint place of apparitions and visit the sanctuary. After mass at new Apparitions chapel, do some sightseeing of the old town and the museum.
Day 6: Croagh Patrick – Kylemore – Galway
Depart to Westport, an inlet Georgian town of Clew Bay consisting of 365 islands. Proceed to Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s sacred mountain where St. Patrick spent 40 days of retreat and penance. Continue through the magnificent region of Connemara, covered with lakes and dominated by Twelve Bens Mountains. Arrive in Kylemore Abbey, which currently is a Benedictine institution for female students. After a brief meeting there, we will celebrate mass at Immaculate Conception in Oranmore.
Day 7: Galway – St. Brendans – Clonfert – Clonmacnoise
Panoramic tour of Galway. Drive to Loughrea. Mass at St. Brendan’s Cathedral and state of the religion meeting with one of its representative; continue to Clonfert monastery which turned Anglican during reform. Continue to Clonmacnoise to visit the monastic site. It is the largest of its kind in Ireland.
Day 8: Return to USA or continue Scotland or England
Transfer to Dublin airport or continue your journey of religious exploration in either Scotland or England.