Pictures from Ireland

Exploring our Celtic Spirituality

Led by:

Ms Anne Wright
St. Mary's Episcopal Church
Ardmore, PA

June 14 – 23, 2008

Trip map

DAY 1, Saturday, June 14, 2008, - Depart the New York's JFK for our trans-Atlantic flight to Dublin, Ireland. D

DAY 2: Sunday, June 15, 2008 - Our Pilgrimage to Ireland begins: Upon arrival in Dublin, we will clear immigration and depart for Glendalough, stopping along the way to purchase groceries for our meal preparation at the retreat house. We will enjoy lunch at the Glendalough Hotel and then visit the Heritage Centre and Museum where we see a video entitled “Ireland of the Monasteries”. This evening we will have a group meeting followed by dinner at our retreat house. Dinner and overnight Sli an Chroi, St. Patricks, Kiltegan, Co. Wicklow. BLD

DAY 3: Monday, June 16, 2008 - St. Kevin’s Monastic City: We will have an early morning in order to tour St. Kevin’s Monastic City before the crowds arrive. We will visit St. Kevin’s Church, Kevin’s Cross, The Cathedral, The Round Tower and St. Mary’s Church. We will then return to the retreat house and the rest of the afternoon will be free. Dinner and overnight at Sli an Chroi. BLD

DAY 4: Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - Today we will enjoy a day in Dublin where we will visit Trinity College to see the magnificent Old Library and the 1200 year old Book of Kells, the beautifully illuminated version of the Gospels, designed by monks in the 9th century. We continue on to the National Museum, housing a rich collection of Irish antiquities from the prehistoric times to the end of the medieval period. This afternoon we will be free for shopping and personal exploration in Dublin. We will enjoy a traditional Fish and Chips dinner before we depart Dublin and return to Sli an Chroi for overnight. BLD

DAY 5: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 - Depart for a full day in Kildare, site of the 6th century St. Brigid’s Monastery, St. Brigid’s Cathedral and St. Brigid’s Well. We will have some time for prayers and a Pilgrim Liturgy at the Well. We continue on to Clonmacnoise to visit St. Kieran’s Monastery, a tiny 9th century church believed to contain the tomb of the founder. We travel to Barna, Galway for dinner and overnight. BLD

DAY 6: Thursday, June 19, 2008 - We travel today to Galway City to shop and then transfer to Rossaveal. At 6:30 PM we will depart on the Rossaveal Ferry to Inishmore, Aran Islands. Overnight Ard Einne Guesthouse. BLD

DAY 7: Friday, June 20, 2008 - Today we will meet with Fr. Dara Molly a former Catholic priest who has developed his teaching and Celtic resources on the Aran Islands. Fr. Molloy will accompany the group for a full day tour of the Island. We will rent bicycles (weather permitting) and visit Dun Aengus, an 8th century B.C. fort. We will reflect on the pre-Christian tradition as well as the monastic heritage on Aran. After lunch, we continue to the Seven Churches, the Viking Mound, St. Kierans and the Seal Sanctuary. After dinner, we will enjoy a traditional Ragus Show. Overnight Ard Einne Guesthouse. BLD

DAY 8: Saturday, June 21, 2008 - Morning a worship with Dara at St. Kevin’s Church. We will have afternoon Sabbath followed by an evening visit with Padraigin Clancy, Irish folklorist. Overnight Ard Einne Guesthouse. BLD

DAY 9: Sunday, June 22, 2008 - This morning we say “goodbye” to Inishmore as we travel by ferry and transfer to Galway City. We continue on to the Burren, which means “rocky land” in Gaelic. The rare Burren is a unique botanical environment in which Mediterranean and alpine plants rare to Ireland grow side by side. In the southern part of the Burren, limestone gives way to the black shale and sandstone that form the dramatic Cliffs of Moher. We continue on to Ennis to visit Ennis Cathedral. Dinner and overnight Great Southern Hotel. BD

DAY 10: Monday, June 23, 2008 - After breakfast we drive to the Shannon Airport for our return flight home. BL

Price: $2,559.00  Price is based on double occupancy without airline taxes and fuel surcharges.  Roundtrip air from New York, NY JFK.  Air transportation available from other cities.  Single supplement $299.00.  Price may change due to the increase/decrease of the USD to the Euro.  Pricing based on value of $1.00 USD to 0.72710 Euros. On September 14, 2007, 1 Euro equals $1.39 USD.

Final Payment due by March 14, 2008

Cancellation Penalties
◊ September 27, 2007 - March 6, 2008 - $100.00 plus any unrecoverable fees.
◊ March 7, 2008 - April 29, 2008 - $200.00 plus any unrecoverable fees.
◊ After April 30, 2008: NO REFUND

Price includes Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance

Meals: B Breakfast, L Lunch, D Dinner

The itinerary is subject to change due to local conditions or at the discretion and direction of the leader or guide.

During this itinerary, you will shop, plan and prepare your meals while in the Glendalough area.