Exploring our Celtic Spirituality Pilgrimage to Ireland 2012

Transcription

1 Exploring our Celtic Spirituality Pilgrimage to Ireland 2012 DAY 1, Depart the United States for our trans-atlantic flight to Ireland Day 2, DUBLIN, TRINITY COLLEGE & BOOK OF KELLS On arrival to Ireland we will spend the day in Ireland s capital, 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. We will visit St. Patrick s Cathedral and after our visit we will enjoy evensong in this magnificent Cathedral. We will continue to our accommodation in the Emmaus Retreat Centre Dublin and enjoy dinner on arrival. Day 3 SPIRITUAL JOURNEY THROUGH GLENDALOUGH This morning we will visit Glendalough a remarkable place that will still your mind, inspire your heart and fill your soul. We will visit the Heritage Centre and Museum where we see a video entitled Ireland of the Monasteries. We will meet Fr Michael Rodgers who returned to Ireland after twenty years missionary service to serve on his congregation s leadership team. During this time he began to explore his own roots, a journey that led him eventually to mystical Glendalough. He will bring you for a walk to St. Kevin s Monastic City you will visit St. Kevin s Church, Kevin s Cross, The Cathedral, The Round Tower and St. Mary s Church. On our return to the Emmaus Centre we will a group Worship and reflection on the day DAY 4 NEWGRANGE, MONASTERBOICE & MELLIFONT ABBEY Today we travel to Newgrange for a visit to the Stone Age passage graves. We will see the Hill of Slane where St. Patrick lit a Paschal fire as a challenge to the pagan High King of Tara and visit Monasterboice to see Muiredach s High Cross, the finest high cross in all of Ireland. Later we will visit Mellifont Abbey, founded in 1142 and the first Cistercian Abbey in Ireland. We will continue to Belfast for our overnight stay. Day 5 - ARMAGH, STANGFORD LOUGH, BELFAST This morning we will tour the Roman Catholic Cathedral, learning about its impressive architecture and about the recent peace-building partnership between the two Cathedrals. We will Follow in the footsteps of St Patrick, who through his creative interpretation of the Christian faith did much to ignite the flame of Christianty in Ireland. We will visit the beautiful area of Strangford Lough area, including the St Patrick s Centre, Downpatrick Cathedral, and Saul Church, built in 1932, to commemorate Saint Patrick's first church in Ireland. Overnight Belfast

2 Day 6 The North Coast This morning we will enjoy a scenic drive to the Giant s Causeway on the North Coast, one of the great natural wonders of Ireland and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After the visit we will continue to Donegal town for our overnight stay. DAY 7 - KNOCK SHRINE LEADING MARIAN SHRINE AND BALLINTUBBER ABBEY Today we will visit Knock Shrine, one of the world's leading Marian shrines. On 21st August 1879, at about 8 o'clock, fifteen people; women, men and children, witnessed an Apparition. In 1979 Pope John Paul II visited Knock Shrine. We will visit the Basilica, the largest church in Ireland and attend Mass. We will also visit the Museum explaining history of the Apparition. We will visit Ballintubber Abbey originally founded by St Patrick when he brought Christianity to Ireland in c.441ad. The present Abbey was founded in 1216 by King Cathal O'Conor. Ballintubber Abbey and its faith filled story offers a powerful and inspiring setting for us to step back from their often busy lives and reflect on relationships with family, friends and God. Overnight in the Castlecourt Hotel, Westport. Day 8 CONNEMARA, KYLEMORE ABBEY "Prayer is the very breath of our Benedictine life, from which everything else flows. This morning we will travel through beautiful Connemara to Kylemore Abbey the oldest of the Irish Benedictine Abbeys. The community of nuns, who have resided here since 1920, have a long history stretching back almost three hundred and forty years. We will visit the Abbey on the grounds, the Gothic Church, the Victorian Walled Gardens, the Craft Shop, Pottery studio, Restaurant and Tea Rooms as well as the Lake and Woodland walks. A section of the Abbey (the enclosure) is retained strictly for the nuns use and is not open to the public; here the nuns devote themselves to their monastic life of prayer and work.

3 DINNER CRUISE ON BOARD THE CORRIB PRINCESS This evening we will enjoy a dinner cruise on board a luxury river cruiser the Corrib Princess. The Corrib Princess departs from the pier at Woodquay in city centre, passengers will enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and the lake as we Cruise River & Lough Corrib. The "Corrib Princess has comfortable indoor table seating, top deck seating, there is a full bar on board. The group will also enjoy a four course dinner on board. After dinner Roisin will give an Irish Coffee demonstration telling the history of Irish whiskey and showing you the art of Irish Coffee making. The evening will continue with entertainment from Carmel Dempsey is a well-known musician and singer from Galway, she has toured all over the world and has played support to Leo Sayer and Meatloaf. Her repertoire aims to please all age groups from the Rock n Roll of the 60's to the pop standards of the 90's. Carmel is famous for her lively personality and success at encouraging audience participation. Carmel will be joined by Maureen Fahy on fiddle and one of the soloists from Michael Flatley s world-renowned Riverdance. Our talented Irish dancer will amaze the audience with her performance. Overnight Galway BD Day 9 - Galway, City of The Tribes and Cnoc Suain Galway City we will enjoy a guided tour of the city including Galway Cathedral one of the largest and most impressive buildings in the city. Built between 1958 and 1965, it stands on the site of the old city jail you will have some free time for some last minute shopping and a light lunch. We will continue by coach to Cnoc Suain (restful hill) ( Spiddal. This special place is a renovated small village of thatched and slated stone cottages located on 200 acres of stunningly beautiful ancient landscape, bog, lake and sea. Some of the cottages date back to As Gaelic speakers, musicians, natural scientists and owners of this historic hill village, Dearbhaill Standun and Charlie Troy are the perfect hosts for the group. They will accompany the group on a short walk through the Connemara Bogland that surrounds Cnoc Suain. Charlie will introduce them to the fascinating archaeology & natural history of the bog including turf harvesting. In one of the old thatch cottages, Dearbhaill, a native Gaelic speaker will relay the history of the local area. They will hear the Irish language spoken and enjoy stories about the life and customs of the inhabitants of the cottage. Dearbhaill is also a talented musician is a founder member of the much acclaimed traditional music group Dordan. She will play the fiddle and will be accompanied by a local musician on the accordion and tin whistle. Together they will perform a selection of jigs and reels as guests enjoy a drink in the main cottage. Cnoc Suain is one of the areas lesser known treasures and offers the group an exclusive interactive cultural experience in a unique traditional setting. We continue our journey to the Overnight in Galway

4 Day 10 - Aran Islands After breakfast we will travel to the ferry port Rossaveal where we will take a ferry to the Aran Islands where we will tour by coach and visit Dun Aengus, the Iron Age fort built as four concentric stone walls. The fort has been called the most magnificent barbaric monument in Europe. We will visit Na Seacht dteampaill, the Seven Churches which make up a monastic settlement dedicated to St. Brecan. Later, we will meet with Padraigin Clancy. Padraigin has lectured extensively and has facilitated retreats and seminars throughout Ireland, appearing frequently on Irish national radio and television. Originally drawn to the Island by her studies, she has made it her home since In that time she has documented an extensive collection of Irish folklore and cultural history. We will enjoy dinner in our guesthouse tonight. Overnight on the Aran Islands BD Day 11 - CLIFFS OF MOHER, KILMACDUAGH & POULNABRONE This morning we will depart the Aran Islands we will travel to Kilmacduagh an old monastic settlement before continuing to The Burren, in North County Clare. This unique place is like no other place in Ireland. There are no bogs and very few pastures, instead there are huge pavements of limestone. The Burren is also famous for its plant life with many very rare and protected species. We will continue to the Cliffs of Moher. The Cliffs are 214m high at the highest point and range for 8 kilometres over the Atlantic Ocean on the western seaboard of County Clare. O'Brien's Tower stands proudly on a headland of the majestic Cliffs. From the Cliffs one can see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, as well as The Twelve Pins, the Maum Turk Mountains in Connemara and Loop Head to the South. We will visit Poulnabrone one of the most famous Irish dolmens. The thin capstone sits on two high portal stones to create a chamber and a low cairn. This site dates back to about 2500 BC. This evening we will join the Earl of Thomond in the splendour of the main guard of Bunratty Castle for a Banquet. Entertainment is provided by the world renowned Bunratty Castle Entertainers accompanied by harp and violin. The evening begins with a mead reception in the Great Hall of the castle, then downstairs to enjoy a four course meal with red & white wine then relax and enjoy the entertainment. Overnight Limerick

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6 DAY 13 DUBLIN ON YOUR OWN A day on your own to see the sights of Dublin or take a day trip to a lovely nearby town such as Malahide or Howth on the water, enjoy shopping in Dublin, visit family or friends or simply take a day to relax. Overnight accommodations and dinner can be a part of the land package or you can schedule them on your own. DAY 14 DAY OF DEPARTURE We will take an airport shuttle to the airport for our departure to Dublin Airport for our return flight to the US.

7 Join Fr. Neil Fuller, SVD PILGRIMAGE TO IRELAND August 24, September 6, 2012 Land package: 10 people = 2,194 euro (approx $2,870 US dollars) *** 15 people = 1,818 euro (approx $2,375 US dollars) *** 20 people = 1,610 euro (approx $2,095 US dollars) *** Single supplement: $290 Airline cost will vary due to changing taxes and fuel rates weekly. Prices continue to increase as we get closer to summer. Airline tickets can still be purchased at approximately $1300 per person round trip as of 4/5/12. As of 4/5/2012, we are under the 15 people (not counting the priest), we are looking for two more people to reach the 15 people rate! *Please note taxes and fuel are subject to change until the tickets are issued All tickets are non refundable. Travel insurance is available for purchase. Tickets are subject to a change fee plus any difference in the fare. The itinerary is subject to change due to local conditions or at discretion and direction of the leader or guide. Payment due dates: Deposit of $300 per person due for the land package by April 16, 2012 Final payment due by May 23, 2012 ***The price is not guaranteed and may change due to the fluctuation of the Euro to the US Dollar. We make every effort to avoid any increase and will only do so if the value of the dollar falls against the Euro. Your pricing is based on the exchange rate of $1.307 to the Euro. *** Cancellation Penalties: Until May 30, 2012 : 100 euro plus any unrecoverable fees (approx 130 US Dollars) June 1, 2012: NO REFUND

8 PILGRIMAGE TO IRELAND QUOTATION Land package price includes the following: Coach Hire & Professional Tour Guide Coach hire as per the itinerary including driver s expenses and accommodation. Professional Tour Guide for the duration of the trip including guides expenses and accommodation Accommodations (11 or 12 nights*): 2 nights: Emmaus Retreat Centre Dublin 2 nights: Jury s Inn, Belfast 1 night: Abbey hotel, Donegal 1 night: Castlecourt Hotel Westport Co Mayo 2 nights Galway Bay Hotel Galway 1 night: Kilmurvey House Aran Islands Co Galway 1 night: Strand Hotel, Limerick 1 night: Clarion Hotel Dublin Airport *Twelfth day is a free day on your own *12 th night accommodations can be purchased through group or on your own Admission fees to the following attractions: Trinity College, Dublin St. Patrick s Cathedral, Dublin National Museum, Dublin Glendalough Heritage Centre Newgrange Mellifont Abbey St. Patrick s Centre Downpatrick Cathedral Ballintubber Abbey Knock Shrine Museum Entrance to Giant s Causeway Minibus tour of Inismór Entrance to Dun Aengus Glenstall Abbey Kylemore Abbey Cnoc Suain Entrance to Cliffs of Moher Bunratty Castle Meals included (22): Breakfast every morning 9 dinners in your accommodation Dinner in Bunratty Castle Dinner & Entertainment on board the Corrib Princess Additional Items Fr Michael Rodgers Glendalough Local guide for Newgrange Padraigin Clancy Aran Islands Local Guide on Dun Aengus Fort Sr. Mary Walk in the Footsteps of St. Brigid