June 11-23, With the Reverend Jeffrey S. Miller and the Reverend Dr. Les Fairfield. AN ANGLICAN CONGREGATION Celtic Christianity

Transcription

1 AN ANGLICAN CONGREGATION Celtic Christianity With the Reverend Jeffrey S. Miller and the Reverend Dr. Les Fairfield June 11-23, 2016

2 Dear Friends, When Patrick brought the Gospel to Ireland in the mid-400s, he went off the edge of the known world. Ireland was beyond the Roman Empire, an island of bogs and forests and some 200 small tribes of illiterate peasants. Patrick brought the Gospel vulnerably, at huge risk. No Roman legions were there to impose Christianity by force (as was the case in Patrick s native Britain). So the Irish embraced Christianity freely, because they loved the Story, and they loved Jesus. And they loved Patrick who came among them clad only in the power of the Spirit. Today, we face a challenge in America much like Patrick s. We face a pagan culture, and we have no social or political (let alone military) power to impose Christianity by force. How did Patrick do it? How can we learn from Celtic Christianity, about peaceful and relational evangelism? It s time we paid attention. Please join me, along with the Rev. Dr. Les Fairfield, next June on a pilgrimage to Ireland where we will explore Celtic Christianity. From the lush, green landscapes to the drama of the coastline, to the magnificent gardens, to the ancient castles and thatched cottages, Ireland s beauty is unsurpassed in all the rest of the world. We hope that you will join us. Blessings, The Rev. Jeffrey S. Miller Dr. Les Fairfield Professor Les Fairfield was educated at Princeton and Harvard, and for 30 years ( ) was professor of Church History at Trinity. He is the author of John Bale: Mythmaker for the English Reformation. He taught courses at Trinity ranging from Patristics to Postmodernism. Les retired from full-time teaching in He continues to lead study tours to France, Italy, Spain and the British Isles, and to teach part-time at Trinity.

3 DAY 1- SAT. JUNE 11 Depart USA for overnight flight to Ireland. Dinner is served shortly after takeoff. DAY 2- SUN. JUNE 12: ARRIVAL/DUBLIN Morning arrival at Dublin Airport where after clearing customs we are met by our professional Irish driver guide and transferred to our hotel. For those who have the stamina, we will attend Evensong at 3:15 p.m. at St. Patrick s Cathedral. St. Patrick s Anglican Cathedral was completed in 1213 and is the largest cathedral in Ireland. The Gothic interior contains funerary monuments to such distinguished Patrick is said to have lit an Easter fire that successfully challenged the pagan kings role in religious leadership. Return to Dublin. Dinner and overnight at Camden Court Hotel. (B, D) Anglicans as Jonathan Swift (Dean ). This evening, we enjoy dinner at our hotel. Overnight at Camden Court Hotel. (D) DAY 3- MON. JUNE 13: DUBLIN/NEW- GRANGE/MONASTERBOICE/DUBLIN Traveling north to Newgrange, we make our way to the Bru na Boinne Visitor Center. This center is designed to present the archaeological heritage of the Boyne Valley, which includes the megalithic passage tombs of Newgrange and Knowth. The center is the starting point for all visits to both monuments and contains extensive interpretative material. Monasterboice is a medieval church and a surrounding cemetery which contains some of the finest high crosses in Ireland. The Hill of Tara contains ruins of the pre- Christian high kings of Ireland, from which one can see the Hill of Slane across the Boyne Valley, where St. DAY 4- TUES. JUNE 14: DUBLIN This morning, we enjoy a visit to Trinity College including admission to see The Book of Kells. Trinity College was founded by Elizabeth I in 1592, and its library contains The Book of Kells as well as many other early Christian manuscripts. We then enjoy a visit to the National Museum of Ireland which features many displays of early Irish life, into which Christianity came in the 5th century. Our final Dublin city visit is to Dublin Castle. The State Apartments dominate the south range of the Great Courtyard. They were built as the residential and public quarters of the Viceregal Court and were the seat of the executive and focus of fashionable and extravagant social life. Today, the apartments are the venue for Ireland s Presidencies of the European Union, Presidential inaugurations and prestigious functions. The Undercroft is sited at lower ground floor level in the Lower Castle Yard, opposite the Chapel Royal. The city walls join the castle at this point. Here, the archway allowed small feeder boats to land provisions at the postern gate,

4 archaeology and wildlife. Before our visit to Glendalough, we will stop for lunch at Hunter s Inn, Ireland s oldest coaching inn, which is set in two acres of award-winning gardens. We then end our day with Glendalough which is home to one of the most important monastic sites in Ireland. This early Christian monastic settlement was founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century and from this developed the Monastic City. We will spend the night In Kildare. Dinner and overnight at Killashee House. (B, L, D) from larger boats moored on the Liffey. The double archway and postern gate are still visible. Also on view here is the Viking defense bank, within the butt of the Norman Powder Tower. The original tower was five stories high the top story being occupied by the Lord Deputy during the 16th century. Dinner on our own. Overnight at Camden Court Hotel. (B) DAY 5- WED. JUNE 15: DUBLIN/ CASTLETOWN/HUNTER S INN/ GLENDALOUGH DAY 6- THURS. JUNE 16: KILDARE/ CASHEL/ADARE/TRALEE After breakfast, we start with a visit to St. Brigid s Church. St. Brigid founded a community of men and women at Kildare in the early 6th century. The site now contains a 10th-century round tower and the 13th-century Anglican cathedral. It is on to Cashel with its imposing Rock. Cashel features a fortified cathedral perched on a rocky mount This morning after breakfast, we travel to the iconic Castletown, the largest and most significant Palladian-style country house in Ireland. The house is set amongst beautiful 18th-century parklands of Celbridge, County Kildare. After our visit we drive towards Glendalough which is set in a deep valley beside two ancient lakes in the Wicklow Mountains National Park. It is tranquil, remote and beautiful, and famed for its spectacular scenery, rich history, amidst a fertile valley, one of the most beautiful ecclesiastical monuments in Europe. It is here, legend has it, that St. Patrick crowned the High Kings of Ireland in the 6th century. Adare is our next stop. Picturesque Adare gains fame from its thatched roof cottages still in use today. Finally we make our way to Tralee, famous for its rose garden and the annual Rose of Tralee Festival held every August. Dinner and overnight at The Grand Hotel. (B, D) DAY 7- FRI. JUNE 17: DINGLE PENINSULA Today, we ll have a full tour of the Dingle Peninsula. We travel the Slea Head Drive. Overlooking Dingle Bay, Mount Eagle, Skellig Michael and the Blaskets,

5 this promontory has an astoundingly breathtaking view. As we travel the drive, we pass superb beaches and structures from Kerry s ancient past. There is no other landscape in western Europe with the density and variety of archaeological monuments. This finger of land has supported civilization for almost 6,000 years. Because of the peninsula s remote location and lack of specialized agriculture, there is a upturned boat, represents the height of the architectural technique known as corbelling. The oratory has remained watertight for more than a thousand years. Dinner and overnight at The Grand Hotel. (B, D) DAY 8- SAT. JUNE 18: SKELLIG MICHAEL After breakfast, we travel to Portmagee for possible boat trip to the Skellig Islands (weather permitting: if stormy, a group visit to the Skellig Experience Visitor Center on Valencia Island). Skellig Michael is a pinnacle of rock, rising 700 feet from the Atlantic, 12 miles off the coast of Kerry. Together with its smaller companion (Little Skellig), this island contains the beehive huts and the chapel where monks lived and worshiped between the 6th and 12th centuries, remarkable preservation of over 2,000 monuments. Leaving town, we come upon Ventry where the sandy white beach was the scene of the mythical battle of Fionn MacCumhaill and the King of the World. Further on, Dunbeg Fort which dates from the Iron Age, clings precariously to the cliffs. Heading west, we pass through Dunquin with its many stone ruins abandoned during the famine. Look above and you ll see Mount Eagle, the first bit of land that Charles Lindbergh saw after crossing the Atlantic on his way to Paris in Villagers here were as excited as he was they had never seen anything so big in the air. From Dunquin there are great views of the Blasket Islands, and the Great Blasket, largest of the islands, rises like an enchanted distant castle. Further south you see the pinnacle of Skellig Michael. We travel on to the Gallarus Oratory. This 8thcentury church, shaped like an surviving on fish, seagull eggs and a few vegetables raised in beds of seaweed. There is no dock on Skellig Michael, and visitors need to jump onto the rocks from the fishing boats that take them out. Boat captains will attempt the trip only when the Atlantic is calm, so it s impossible to guarantee a trip on any given day. The Skellig Experience museum is a stormy-day alternative. Continue on around Ring of Kerry with stops as time permits. Overnight at The Grand Hotel. Dinner on our own. (B) DAY 9- SUN. JUNE 19: TRALEE/ BUNRATTY/BURREN/GALWAY Morning departure from Tralee has us first visiting Bunratty with its 600-year-old castle and adjacent 19th-century village. We continue to Kilfenora in the County Clare which has a collection of the finest high crosses in Ireland. We take a tour of Ireland s stony place the Burren (Bhoireann). It is home to rare alpine plants,

6 delicate wonders that grow in the thin soil and crevices gentians, orchids and maidenhair ferns amongst others. The survival of both alpine and Mediterranean plants in this unusual habitat continues to arouse delight in its visitors. The Burren contains dozens of megalithic tombs, Celtic crosses and a ruined Cistercian abbey dating from the 12th century, Corcomroe. You can find villages abandoned since famine times and green roads on which you can walk for miles without ever seeing a car. It is here we travel the coast and visit the majestic Cliffs of Moher. It s on to Galway for dinner and overnight at the Park House Hotel. (B, D) DAY 10- MON. JUNE 20: CONNEMARA PENINSULA After enjoying breakfast, we travel first to Clifden (An Clochan). Founded in the early 19th century by John D Arcy, it retains much of its Georgian architecture. Placed at the head of a broad Atlantic Bay and nestled below the Twelve Bens, the town is blessed by it beautiful setting. Known as the capital of Connemara, Clifden is a lively location full of shops, pubs, restaurants and cafés. From here travel the Sky Road, an exhilarating circular drive west of Clifden. Continue on this very rugged peninsula before returning to Galway. Dinner and overnight at the Park House Hotel. (B, D) DAY 11- TUES. JUNE 21: ARAN ISLANDS Today, we enjoy a trip to the Aran Islands. This daytrip takes the whole day, so do not go for it unless you are up to it. On the island of Inishmore, the way of life is as it would have been in days gone by, except for the minivans that take tourists on sightseeing trips. The most impressive of all the ancient fortresses in Ireland is here, Dun Aengus fortress. Built to maximize defense, it is surrounded by high walls on three sides; the other is a sheer drop of 500 feet to the ocean. We also visit the site of St. Enda s 6th-century monastery, where thousands of scholars from all over Europe came to study the Bible and learn the ways of Irish Christianity. Others not taking this tour enjoy a free day in Galway. Overnight at the Park House Hotel. Dinner on our own. (B, D) DAY 12- WED. JUNE 22: GALWAY/DUBLIN After a hearty breakfast, we meet our driver guide in the lobby and travel via the Irish midlands to Clonmacnoise. The ancient monastic site of Clonmacnoise is situated at the crossroads of

7 Ireland in County Offaly and dates back almost 1,500 years. St. Ciaran, the son of an Ulsterman who had settled in Connaught, chose the site in 545 AD because of its ideal location at the junction of river and road travel in Celtic Ireland. The location borders the three provinces of Connaught, Munster and Leinster. The monastery is on the east side of the River Shannon, in what was then the Kingdom of Meath, but occupying a position so central it was the burial place of many of the kings of Connaught as well as those of Tara. St. Ciaran was educated by St. Diarmuid of Clonard and St. Finian tutors of many ancient saints of Ireland. Ciaran s last place of formal learning before establishing his own monastery in Clonmacnoise was with St. Enda on the island of Inishmore (Inís Mór) off the coast of Galway. Here, under the tutelage of the strict disciplinarian Enda, he learned sacred studies, prayer and labor. Continue to Dublin and overnight at the Camden Court Hotel. Farewell dinner with entertainment at Taylor s Three Rock. (B, D) DAY 13- THURS. JUNE 23: DUBLIN AIRPORT- TO THE USA After breakfast, we make our way via private transfer to Dublin Airport where we will depart and head back to the USA. (B)

8 GENERAL INFORMATION, TERMS & CONDITIONS Please read the Terms & Conditions in their entirety prior to making any payment for this tour. Any payment made towards a tour booking shall constitute a confirmation by the Guest on behalf of themselves and all other persons named on their booking that he or she has read, understood, accepted and agreed to the Terms & Conditions of this tour, the terms of which will apply to the Guest and all other persons named on their booking. PRICE OF TOUR Tour: $3, per person double occupancy $ per person, single supplement DEPOSIT & FINAL PAYMENT A deposit of $ per person is due to reserve a place on this tour. Deposits and payments can be paid by check or any major credit card. Final payment is due March 7, The Travel Insured Group Deluxe travel insurance protection plan is strongly recommended. The cost for this insurance is $ per person, double occupancy, and $ per person, single occupancy. CONNOISSEURS TOURS PROTECTION PLAN PROVIDED BY TRAVEL INSURED Traveling is a big investment. It pays to protect yourself against unforeseen circumstances that can result in trip cancellation and additional expenses such as costs related to medical emergencies. This Travel Insured Protection Plan is specifically designed to provide you with peace of mind knowing you are protected against the financial impact of unexpected events while on your trip. Additional insurance is available to include the cost of your airfare. Please contact Connoisseurs Tours if you would like to insure the cost of your airline tickets after your have purchased your airline tickets. See below for the Schedule of Coverage: Trip Cancellation* (not applicable if $0 trip cost) Trip Cost* Trip Interruption** ($500 return air only if $0 trip cost) 150% of Trip Cost* Cancel for Work Reasons Trip Cost* Trip Delay 6 hours $750 ($150/day) Baggage/Personal Effects $1,500 Baggage Delay 24 hours $400 Accident & Sickness Medical Expense $50,000 Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation $250,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment $25,000 Worldwide Emergency Assistance Services Included **150% of Trip Cost paid up to a maximum of $10,000 for the unused portion of Your Trip and the transportation cost to re-join the Trip or return home. CANCELLATIONS $ from the time of booking to 120 days prior to departure is non-refundable. $ per person from 119 days to February 29, 2016 is non-refundable. 100% of the full program cost is non-refundable after final payment. All cancellations must be in writing. Tour cost does not include items of a personal nature. RESPONSIBILITY Connoisseurs Tours acts only as an agent for the traveler with respect to transportation, accommodations and other services offered on the tour. Connoisseurs Tours and their agents assume no responsibility or liability for any act, error or omission, or for any injury, loss, accident or delay or irregularity that may be caused by any defect in any aircraft, ship, train, bus or other carrier or through neglect or default of any subcontractor or other third party. The passage contract in use by the carriers when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the carriers and the traveler. Connoisseurs Tours and/or their agents will not be responsible for loss, injury, damages or expenses to person or property, due to illness, weather, strikes, local laws, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature or other such causes in connection with the tour for anything beyond their reasonable control. Connoisseurs Tours is not responsible for transportation or other delays or changes in the tour program beyond their control, nor any additional expenses or loss of time that may be incurred by the traveler. It may be necessary or advisable for the well-being of all travelers to alter the itinerary at any time, without notice to the travelers, and such alterations will be made without penalty to Connoisseurs Tours. Connoisseurs Tours reserves the right to decline or not to retain any person as a member of any tour or to change or withdraw a tour as circumstances demand. All rates quoted are based on tariffs in effect at the time the tour was planned and are subject to change in the event of adjustment therein. Baggage is carried at the owner s risk and baggage insurance is recommended. Connoisseurs Tours reserves the right to substitute hotels of equal or superior quality. The proposals of this section are governed by Georgia law, and final payment by the traveler to Connoisseurs Tours shall be deemed to be consent to the above provisions. VALIDITY May 26, 2015 through December 23, 2016 *Up to the lesser of the Trip Cost paid or the limit of Coverage for which benefits are requested and the appropriate plan cost has been paid. Maximum limit of $10,000.

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