11 DAYS IRELAND PILGRIMAGE

 NOVEMBER 5-15, 2007

 Hosted by

 Fr. Robert Hart, Fr. Matt Nycz, & Fr. Peter Towsley

ITINERARY:

DAY 1 - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5 - USA/ACROSS THE ATLANTIC

Depart the US today on board your overnight transatlantic jet flight.  En route, enjoy dinner followed by a full length movie.

DAY 2 - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6 - ARRIVE DUBLIN/GLENDALOUGH/WATERFORD AREA

Arrive Dublin.  Board your coach and drive southward through the Wicklow Mountains to Glendalough via Killiney Bay, Calary Bog and the fishing port of Arklow.  Continue on to the Waterford area for overnight.       (D)

DAY 3 - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7 - WATERFORD/BLARNEY CASTLE/KILLARNEY

Continue this morning to the city of Waterford, situated on the banks of the River Suir.  Visit the Waterford Glass Factory to see the famed crystal being handmade.  Then drive to Cork, a lovely old city of dreamy spires and elegant limestone buildings.  Onward to Blarney Castle to visit the legendary Blarney Stone, said to bestow the gift of eloquent speech on those who kiss it.  Afterwards drive to Killarney, located in the kingdom of Kerry.                                      (B, D)

DAY 4 - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8 - RING OF KERRY

Today you have an opportunity to enjoy what is perhaps Ireland’s most breathtaking tour.  Spend a full day exploring the 109-mile “Ring of Kerry”, encircling the Iveragh Peninsula, a panorama of spectacular coastal and mountain scenery along golden beaches.  You will pass beautiful lakes, quaint little villages and drive along the rugged Atlantic shore before returning to Killarney.   (B)

DAY 5 - FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9 - KILLARNEY/CLIFFS OF MOHER/GALWAY

Drive northward today to County Clare past the towns of Limerick and Ennis.  Stop in a local village and see the awe-inspiring Cliffs of Moher soaring hundreds of feet above the sea.  Continue to Galway, the principal city of western Ireland located at the entrance to Connemara.    (B, D)

DAY 6 - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10 - CONNEMARA

Today explore the wild, majestic Connemara region, home of Aran knits.  Your tour embraces the rugged country lying between Lough Corrib and the Atlantic Ocean, a breathtaking region of mountain, lake and tiny cottages, visiting Leenane, Clifden and Kylemore Lakes.  Here, St. Patrick fasted for 40 days and nights.  Return to Galway for overnight.    (B, D)

DAY 7 - SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11 - GALWAY/KNOCK/SLIGO

Depart Galway this morning and drive to the village of Knock, set deep in the wild expanse of County Mayo.  Knock, the Lourdes of Ireland, is Ireland’s premier shrine to our Lady.  It was here that the blessed Mother appeared at the little parish church in 1879.  Continue through “Yeats Country” via Bundoran to Sligo, birthplace of the poet W.B. Yeats.    (B,D)

DAY 8 - MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12 - HILLS OF DONEGAL

Enjoy a drive today through County Donegal where the variety of scenery is a never-ending delight.  Continue along Donegal Bay to the dramatically beautiful hills of Donegal and view the magnificent coastline, majestic mountains, deep glens and shimmering lakes which merge in a tumult of beauty.  Your tour takes you through the fishing village of Killybegs, the picturesque town of Glenties and through the magnificent mountain scenery of Blue Stack range before returning to Sligo for the night.  (B, D)

DAY 9 - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13 - SLIGO/CAVAN/DUBLIN

Depart this morning via Lough Erne, Cavan and Kells to Navan, residence of the Irish high kings.  Continue to the fair city of Dublin.  (B, D)

DAY 10 - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14 - DUBLIN

This morning begin your tour of the capital city with a visit of Trinity College to view the famous Book of Kells.  Other highlights include St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Phoenix Park and the fine old Georgian Square of Merrion and Fitzwilliam for which the city is renowned.  The afternoon is free for independent activities.   (B)

DAY 11 - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15 - DUBLIN/USA

All too soon your adventure is over as you transfer to the airport today in time for your departure back to the US, arriving the same day.   (B)

B ~ BREAKFAST

D ~ DINNER

Cead Mile Failte!

(Translation: A Hundred Thousand Welcomes!)

*****

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