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12-Day Pilgrimage to Ireland and Scotland
Visiting
Dublin, Kildare, Glendalough,
Clonmacnoise, Croagh Patrick, Knock, Armagh, the Trossachs, Iona,
Stirling, Edinburgh, and more.
Our pilgrimages include roundtrip airfare from your departure city,
hotel accommodations, all breakfasts and dinners including welcome
and farewell dinners, services of a professional Tour Escort
throughout the trip, transfers and guided sightseeing on the
itinerary, and medical travel insurance.
Please remember
that the sample itinerary below is just that: a sample
itinerary.
We can customize it to visit other places,
spend more or less time, etc. Group leaders can travel for
free! All you need is a minimum of 20 paying passengers. Please call
us at 1-800-290-3876 or fill out a
custom quote request
for your group. |
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Day 1: Transatlantic flight
Depart
today towards Dublin, Ireland with complimentary meals during
the flight. |
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Day 2:
Dublin
After arrival into Dublin’s airport, meet your tour escort and
embark on a sightseeing of Dublin. Visit St. Patrick’s
Cathedral, Ireland’s largest church founded beside the sacred
well where St. Patrick used to baptize converts around 450 AD.
Nearby, visit Christ Church Cathedral commissioned by St.
Lawrence O’Toole, whose heart is in a casket in the chapel of
St. Laud. Next to the cathedral, is Dublinia an exhibition
covering Dublin’s history from the arrival from the
Anglo-Normans in 1170 to the closing of the monasteries in the
1540’s. Finally, visit Trinity College to view Ireland’s most
richly decorated medieval manuscripts, the Book of Kells, a
work of monks from Iona, who fled to Kells in 806 AD, after a
Viking raid. Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow
pilgrims. (WD) |
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Day 3:
Dublin: Excursion to Glendalough
This
morning, on your way to Glendalough, stop at Avoca to visit
the oldest working mill in Ireland. Afterwards, continue to
Glendalough, established by St. Kevin in the 6th
century; it is one of Ireland’s most impressive monastic
sites. Then, return to Dublin for dinner and overnight. (IB,
D) |
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Day 4:
Dublin –
Clonmacnoise – Croagh Patrick
After
breakfast, depart Dublin and journey west to Clonmacnoise. In
545-548, St. Ciaran founded this medieval monastery. Known for
its scholarship and piety, it thrived from the 7th
to the 12th century. Many kings of Tara and of
Connaught were buried here. Then, travel to Croagh Patrick,
Ireland’s holy mountain on which St. Patrick spent 40 days and
nights fasting and praying for the Irish. Dinner and overnight
at a hotel near Croagh Patrick. (IB, D) |
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Day 5:
Knock –
Tobernalt – Lough Derg
Today travel east to Knock Shrine, one of the world’s leading
pilgrimage sites where Our Lady appeared with St. Joseph and
St. John the Evangelist in 1879 to fifteen villagers. Along
with Lourdes, Our Lady of Knock shrine is one of the most
important places of pilgrimage in the world for the sick and
handicapped. Then, visit Tobernalt near Sligo, where priests
came to celebrate Mass in secret during the 18th
century; it remains a place of pilgrimage. Continue north to
Lough Derg, where many pilgrims have made their way ever since
St. Patrick spent 40 days praying on one of the lake’s islands
in an attempt to rid Ireland of all evil spirits. Dinner and
overnight at a hotel near Lough Derg. (IB, D) |
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Day 6:
Ulster-American Folk Park – Armagh
Depart this morning to Omagh to visit the Ulster-American Folk
Park. One of the best open-air museums of its kind; it has
more than 30 historic buildings, some of them original and
some replicas depicting why two million people left Ulster for
America during the 18th and 19th
centuries. Then, travel to Armagh, where St. Patrick founded
his first bishopric in 444 AD. Visit the Cathedral and St.
Patrick’s Trian, a heritage center telling the story of the
city. Dinner and overnight in Armagh.
(IB, D) |
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Day 7:
Armagh –
Ferry to Scotland – The Trossachs – Oban
This morning take the ferry to Scotland and upon arrival,
board the motor coach for a delightful sightseeing of the
beautiful lakes of The Trossachs, a breathtaking region of
craggy hills and sparkling lochs, which is the colorful
meeting place of the Lowlands and Highlands. Arrive to Oban
for dinner and overnight. (IB, D) |
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Day 8:
Oban:
Excursion to Iona
Today’s excursion takes you to the Isle of Iona, where, in
563, St. Columba founded a monastery with 12 companions. From
there, they set out for the conversion of pagan Scotland and
much of northern England to Christianity. Iona's fame as a
place of learning and Christian mission spread throughout
Europe and it became a major site of pilgrimage. Iona became a
holy island where several kings of Scotland, Ireland, and
Norway were buried.
There will be time for prayer and meditation. Return to Oban
for dinner and overnight. (SB, D) |
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Day 9:
Oban
– Stirling – Dunfermline – Edinburgh
After leaving Oban on your way to Edinburgh, stop at Stirling.
Visit its magnificent castle, historically one of Scotland’s
most important fortresses, where several Scottish Kings and
Queens have been crowned, including Mary, Queen of Scots, in
1543. Nearby visit the Wallace Monument
commemorating Sir William Wallace, the 13th century
Scottish hero.
Continue
to Dunfermline, Scotland’s capital until 1603. Visit the
palace where Malcolm King of Scots married St. Margaret of
Scotland about 1070 AD, and the Abbey Church, founded by her,
built to enshrine her greatest treasure, a relic of the True
Cross. Continue to Edinburgh for dinner and overnight. (SB, D) |
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Day 10:
Edinburgh
Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is often considered one of
the most picturesque cities in Europe. Guided walking
sightseeing of the city includes the Royal Mile, the popular
name for the succession of streets which form the main
thoroughfare of Edinburgh's Old Town. Visit Edinburgh Castle,
an assemblage of buildings dating from the 12th to
the 20th century, reflecting its changing role as
fortress, royal palace, military garrison, and state prison.
The rest of the day is at leisure. (SB) |
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Day 11:
Edinburgh – Border Abbeys - Glasgow
South of Edinburgh, visit the Border Abbeys: scattered ruins
of ancient buildings destroyed in conflicts between England
and Scotland. Founded during the 12th century reign
of David I, the abbeys were destroyed by Henry VIII in 1545.
Jedburgh and Dryburgh Abbeys were founded in 1152 by
Augustinians on a site made sacred by St. Modan around 600.
Melrose Abbey was founded around the end of the 6th century,
and the famous St. Cuthbert was one of the abbots in 643. Then
continue to Glasgow for a farewell dinner and overnight. (SB,
FD) |
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Day 12:
Transatlantic flight back to the US
Transfer to Glasgow airport for your flight back to the US. |
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(IB) Irish breakfast; (SB) Scottish breakfast;
(D) Dinner; (WD) Welcome dinner; (FD)
Farewell dinner |
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Call today for a price quote for your group!
Group leaders can travel for free! Call
1-800-290-3876 for details or
fill out our online
Information Request Form.
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