11 Night Christian Faith Tour of Ireland

This tour is designed for groups of 15 or more passengers.

Arrive at Dublin Airport and, after progressing through customs and immigration, meet with your experienced driver/guide who will transfer you to the city centre for your morning tour. The tour will take you to Trinity College and Book of Kells exhibition, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Christ Church Cathedral to mention but a few. There will be time for refreshments and shopping around the famous Grafton Street area before checking into your hotel. Mass will be arranged in Dublin. Overnight Dublin DBB

After breakfast depart for the Boyne Valley visiting Newgrange or Knowth Neolithic Tomb, Hill of Tara and Trim Heritage town. Then onwards to Downpatrick where a visit to the St. Patrick’s Centre and Down Cathedral, where St Patrick's Grave is located, is arranged. Return to Dublin arriving in time for dinner. Arrangements will be made to celebrate Mass during the day. Overnight Dublin DBB

Check out of your hotel and start your journey to the west of Ireland. During the journey you will visit the Tullamore Heritage Centre and Birr Castle Gardens. Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre, housed in the 1897 Bonded Warehouse, relates the story of Tullamore Dew Whiskey/Irish Mist Liqueur, the Grand Canal and the development of the town of Tullamore. Birr Castle is the private home of the Parsons family and the Demesne has become world famous for its exotic tree and plant collections, rivers and lake, formal gardens, terraces and wildflower meadows exuding an atmosphere of intimacy as well as grandeur. A prominent feature in the centre of the Park is The Great Telescope built in 1845; the largest in the world for over 70 years it can be seen operating throughout the day. Then to journey to Galway where there will be a short orientation tour of the city before traveling to your hotel in Claremorris. Arrangements will be made to celebrate Mass during the day. Overnight Claremorris or Knock DBB.

Today will be a full day at Knock Shrine where, on the 21st August 1879, Our Lady, St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist appeared at the south gable of Knock Parish Church. During then day you will tour the grounds and hear the details of events that took place on that day, tour the museum, have meditation time and celebrate the public Mass at the Basilica. Overnight Claremorris or Knock DBB

After breakfast drive to Croagh Patrick, a Holy Mountain overlooking Clew Bay. Following the visit travel to Leenane, one of the most scenic drives in Ireland which takes in the only fjord in the country - Killary Harbour. The village of Leenane was used in the movie The Field starring Richard Harris. Then to Kylemore Abbey, built in the 19th century and has been home to Benedictine Nuns since 1920. Return to your hotel in time for dinner. Arrangements will be made to celebrate Mass during the day. Overnight Claremorris or Knock DBB

After breakfast leave for Ballintubber Abbey on the shores of Lough Carra. Founded in 1216 by King Cathal O’Conor, it is the only Royal Abbey still in use. Then on to Cong Abbey, built in 1120 by the High King of Ireland and Cathal’s father Turlough where there will be time to walk through the ruins before visiting the location of the movie The Quiet Man (Maureen O’Hara, John Wayne). Then visit Ashford Castle where you can walk around the grounds and take in the breathtaking scenery before cruising on Lough Corrib. Arrangements will be made to celebrate Mass during the day. Overnight Claremorris or Knock DBB

After breakfast leave for the Fr. Payton Memorial Centre which commemorates the life and work of the famous Rosary Priest who brought prayer into the homes of millions of Americans reciting the Rosary on television and radio. Then to Foxford Woolen Mills which was started by Sr. Agnes Morrogh Bernard after the famine in 1892. What was a way of creating much needed work for the girls and women of the area at that time where the only alternative was immigration, has developed over then years and the fabrics are now much sought after by top fashion houses in London, Paris and New York. Finally today a visit to the Turlough Museum, part of the National Museum of Ireland, which depicts the way of life for the Irish people over the last centuries. Arrangements will be made to celebrate Mass during the day. Overnight Claremorris or Knock DBB

Check out of your hotel and travel to a sheep farm for a display of how they are rounded up and sheared followed by tea or coffee and home baking in the farmhouse. Then to one of Ireland’s most complete castles, Bunratty Castle and its adjoining folk park The folk park is spread over 25 acres and reconstructs life in the 19th century with cottages, shops, post office and of course the pub. After lunch (not included) in one of the oldest pubs in Ireland, Durty Nellies, take the short drive to what is considered the prettiest village in Ireland – Adare. Here the main street is lined with thatch roofed cottages, many of which are now restaurants and craft shops, and the church & priory. Finally for today make your way to the most popular town in Ireland – Killarney. Arrangements will be made to celebrate Mass during the day. Overnight Killarney DBB

Travelling the coastal route, you will first arrive at Powerscourt House & Gardens. Surrounding this 18th Century Palladian House in the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains, you will find a sublime blend of formal gardens, sweeping terraces, statuary and ornamental lakes together with secret hollows, rambling walks and over 200 varieties of trees and shrubs. Shortly after this, you will arrive at the ancient monastic settlement at Glendalough. The monastic settlement has been a centre for pilgrims and visitors since its foundation by St. Kevin in the 6th century. Continue on to Avoca where you will find the Avoca Handweavers factory, famed worldwide for the quality of its woven fabrics. On to the Dunbrody Famine ship in New Ross before the final leg to Waterford City and the Waterford Crystal Interpretive centre.

Travelling the coastal route, you will first arrive at Powerscourt House & Gardens. Surrounding this 18th Century Palladian House in the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains, you will find a sublime blend of formal gardens, sweeping terraces, statuary and ornamental lakes together with secret hollows, rambling walks and over 200 varieties of trees and shrubs. Shortly after this, you will arrive at the ancient monastic settlement at Glendalough. The monastic settlement has been a centre for pilgrims and visitors since its foundation by St. Kevin in the 6th century. Continue on to Avoca where you will find the Avoca Handweavers factory, famed worldwide for the quality of its woven fabrics. On to the Dunbrody Famine ship in New Ross before the final leg to Waterford City and the Waterford Crystal Interpretive centre.

Travelling the coastal route, you will first arrive at Powerscourt House & Gardens. Surrounding this 18th Century Palladian House in the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains, you will find a sublime blend of formal gardens, sweeping terraces, statuary and ornamental lakes together with secret hollows, rambling walks and over 200 varieties of trees and shrubs. Shortly after this, you will arrive at the ancient monastic settlement at Glendalough. The monastic settlement has been a centre for pilgrims and visitors since its foundation by St. Kevin in the 6th century. Continue on to Avoca where you will find the Avoca Handweavers factory, famed worldwide for the quality of its woven fabrics. On to the Dunbrody Famine ship in New Ross before the final leg to Waterford City and the Waterford Crystal Interpretive centre.

Travelling the coastal route, you will first arrive at Powerscourt House & Gardens. Surrounding this 18th Century Palladian House in the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains, you will find a sublime blend of formal gardens, sweeping terraces, statuary and ornamental lakes together with secret hollows, rambling walks and over 200 varieties of trees and shrubs. Shortly after this, you will arrive at the ancient monastic settlement at Glendalough. The monastic settlement has been a centre for pilgrims and visitors since its foundation by St. Kevin in the 6th century. Continue on to Avoca where you will find the Avoca Handweavers factory, famed worldwide for the quality of its woven fabrics. On to the Dunbrody Famine ship in New Ross before the final leg to Waterford City and the Waterford Crystal Interpretive centre.