Ireland Pilgrimage Detroit/Chicago ·  September 2027

Our pilgrimage begins as we depart on our overnight flight to Dublin. Meals and refreshments will be served aloft.

Upon arrival in Dublin, we will be met by our local Irish pilgrimage manager, who will remain with us for the duration of our pilgrimage. We then drive west to Clonmacnoise for a visit to this holy site in a beautiful setting in a bend in the River Shannon. Continue to Galway, where we’ll begin with a visit to the Galway Cathedral dedicated to Our Lady. Continue to the Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas where Columbus prayed before sailing for America. We will also see the famous Spanish Arch. Proceed to our hotel where we’ll check in for dinner and overnight. (D, Mass) Overnight Galway

Following breakfast, we drive to Kylemore Abbey, the only remaining home of the Benedictine nuns in Ireland. After time here, we head to the small village of Knock, where on August 21, 1879, witnesses saw three figures on the wall of a church standing raised about two feet off the ground. The central figure, Our Lady, had hands raised to shoulder height and eyes turned heavenward, as if in prayer. With her were St. Joseph and St. John, Apostle and Evangelist. In 1979, one hundred years after the Apparition, Pope John Paul II paid a visit and bestowed the status of Basilica to the Shrine Church of Knock and declared that the Church would be known as the Basilica of Our Lady, Queen of Ireland. Afterwards, we return to Galway for dinner and overnight. (B, D, Mass) Overnight Galway

Depart Galway traveling south via the lunar landscape of the Burren to the magnificent Cliffs of Moher, a dramatic sheer rock face rising 700 feet from the Atlantic Ocean. Continue to Killarney, situated in a spectacular location amidst mountains, glens and lakes. Sometimes known as the “Best Kept Town” in all of Ireland, Killarney teems with history, Irish heritage, and hospitality. The remainder of this afternoon is free to explore the interesting craft shops, quaint historic buildings and churches, or perhaps sample the traditional form of local transport, the jaunting car (a horse-drawn cart). This evening we enjoy dinner on our own. (B, Mass) Overnight Killarney

Today we travel the road that winds around the beautiful Iveragh Peninsula, better known as “The Ring of Kerry.” It is undoubtedly one of the most magical places in all Ireland. Here bogs, mountains, valleys, lakes and sea blend into a landscape that is often breathtaking beyond words. Even the names of the towns seem to whisper their beauty: Cahirciveen, Glenbeigh, Killorglin and Sneem. We return to the hotel with the remainder of this afternoon free to enable us to explore the area a bit until our dinner together back at our lodging. (B, D, Mass) Overnight Killarney

This morning, we visit Muckross House and Abbey as we begin our journey east, traveling first to St. Finbarr’s Oratory. Tucked away on an island, the church was rebuilt in the 19th century at the site where St. Finbarr himself used to retreat. Afterwards, proceed to Blarney Castle, which dates to 1446 and is the third castle built on this site. We will climb the battlements to reach the Blarney Stone, said to impart the gift of eloquence to all who kiss it. We then spend time at the Blarney Woollen Mill, one of the best shopping opportunities in Ireland. Travel a short distance to Cork to check into our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D, Mass) Overnight Cork

This morning, we journey to the port town of Cobh. Cobh is famous as the last port of call for the Titanic and was also the departure point for many Irish emigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries. We will visit St. Colman’s Cathedral and marvel at the stunning views of the town and surrounding islands. We’ll walk by the charming “Deck of Cards” Houses on our way to the seaside, where we visit the Queenstown Heritage Center, dedicated to Irish emigration and history, including exhibits about the Titanic and Lusitania. After some free time for personal exploration and lunch, we drive northeast to the Rock of Cashel, a monumental 12th-century complex dominating the surrounding landscape. Tradition holds it was here St. Patrick first used the shamrock as an image of the Trinity and converted the pagan King of Munster. It hosts one of the most remarkable collections of Celtic art and medieval architecture in the region. After exploring this unique and historic location, we proceed to Wexford for dinner and overnight. (B, D, Mass) Overnight Wexford

This morning, we will visit Our Lady’s Island, a tiny island at the juncture of the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea, surrounded by a salt lake and cut off from the sea by a sand bar. It has been a place of pilgrimage since pre-Christian times, and St. Abban founded the original Christian settlement here, evangelizing the area and dedicating the island to the Virgin Mary, thus establishing the first Marian shrine in Ireland. We will then depart for Glendalough. Tucked away in the Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough was established by St. Kevin in the 6th century. Seeking a place where he could commune with God without the distractions of worldly life, the young Kevin lived first in a tree, then in a cave, eventually attracting a following of those who wanted to pursue a similar monastic vocation. Explore the ruins of this ancient monastery and marvel at the faithful asceticism of the medieval monks. Continue to Dublin where we will check in to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D, Mass) Overnight Dublin

Today we explore Dublin proper, the vibrant capital of Ireland, with a romantic aura of Old-World Europe. Beginning at the church of Our Lady of Lourdes, we venerate the tomb of Venerable Matt Talbot, a 20th-century commoner known for overcoming his alcoholism through the power of faith. We continue to St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral – the Catholic Cathedral of Dublin. Our final stop together will be at Trinity College to see the famous Book of Kells, the 9th-century illuminated manuscript of the four Gospels. The remainder of the day will be free for personal activities before we meet back at the hotel for dinner and overnight.
(B, D, Mass) Overnight Dublin

We will enjoy a half-day tour of this historic city once again, visiting the Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church where we will venerate the relics of St. Valentine the Martyr at his shrine contained within the church, as well as the statue known as Our Lady of Dublin, the best loved statue in the city. Proceed to two majestic Anglican Cathedrals: St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland, and Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin’s oldest building, dating from the year 1030. We’ll end our guided visit today in the Old Town at Dublin Castle, the historic heart of Dublin. The remainder of the day will be free to enjoy this city once more until our farewell dinner at a local pub featuring traditional Irish music.
(B, D, Mass) Overnight Dublin

Today our Irish Pilgrimage comes to an end. Following breakfast, transfer to Dublin Airport for our return flight to the United States. (B)