7 Day Ireland Pilgrimage

DAY 1, Wednesday – Depart the USA
Depart the USA to Galway, Ireland. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey.

DAY 2, Thursday - Arrive in Galway, Time at leisure, Welcome Dinner
Arrive in Shannon and drive to Galway via Clare Coast, passing the Burren and scenic Cliffs of Moher along the way. Upon arrival, enjoy an orientation tour of Galway, otherwise known as the “City of the Tribes.” Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Galway
Meals: Welcome Dinner

DAY 3, Friday – Mass, Galway Sightseeing, Time at leisure in Galway
Today's sightseeing includes a full day excursion to the pilgrim mountain of Croagh Patrick, the famous pilgrimage site honoring Saint Patrick, Ireland's patron saint. Enjoy a tour of the site where St. Patrick reputedly fasted for 40 days in the 5th century, followed by a private Mass. Return to Galway this afternoon.
Overnight: Galway
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4, Saturday – Dysert O' Dea, Ballintubber Abbey, & Kilmacdaugh Sightseeing
This morning, depart Galway and drive to Dysert O'Dea which served as a hermitage to St. Tola. Here you will find a church next to the Round Tower. This church is famous for its richly decorated Romanesque doorway with its curious collection of carved stone heads. Next we'll visit the town of Ennis, with the foundation of a friary which still remains its most notable feature. From here we'll proceed to Kilmacduagh, one of the most interesting examples of early Irish monastic architecture. While here you'll get to view Kilmacduagh's most characteristic feature, the Round Tower. Return to Galway in the afternoon.
Overnight: Galway
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 5, Sunday – Knock Tour
After breakfast continue to Knock, home to one of the world's most prized Marian Shrines, the Lady's Shrine of Knock. With a frequency mirroring that of the Shrines of Lourdes and Fatima, the Knock Shrine receives a staggering 1.5 million pilgrims per year. Visit the Basilica and celebrate Sunday Mass in the Apparition Shrine Church. After lunch at a local restaurant continue on to Dublin.
Overnight: Dublin
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 6, Monday – Mass, Dublin City Tour, Time at leisure in Dublin
Following morning Mass at a local church, enjoy a guided tour of Dublin City, including visits to St. Patrick's Cathedral and Trinity College, home of the Book of Kells. Better known as the Book of Columba, the Book of Kells is generally considered the most striking manuscript ever produced, and one of the greatest masterpieces of early Christian art. Rendered by Celtic monks around 800 A.D., the book is a highly prized illuminated manuscript containing the four famous gospels of the Bible in Latin. Take the rest of the day to venture on your own.
Overnight: Dublin
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7, Tuesday – Depart for USA
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flights to the USA.
Meals: Breakfast

This pilgrimage may be extented by adding Killarney (Ring of Kerry) and/or Waterford.