Ireland is a mystical, magical place that forever beckons each of us. Yeats was able to articulate this in his poem “The Isle of Inisfree”. He wrote: “I will arise and go now for always, night and day, I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore; while I stand at the roadway or on the pavements grey, I hear it in the deep heart's core…”
It is said that Ireland, once visited, is never forgotten…
We hope you can join us on another one of our Celtic Journeys.
May 10: Evening flight out of Newark to Ireland.
May 11: Arrival into Dublin International Airport in the morning. Dublin can claim to be one of the most beautifully situated capitols, and we will take advantage of being here in this historic city. Our first stop is St Patricks Cathedral, then on to Trinity College to see the exhibit on the Book of Kells. The National Museum, with examples of Celtic art and metalwork such as the well-known Ardagh Chalice, will be in the afternoon. Finally, after a quick tour around the city including the famous Georgian doors and the GPO Building, we leave the hustle and bustle of Dublin behind and head to the Wicklow mountains.
1st Overnight Glendalough
May 12: Glendalough… ‘the valley of the two lakes’. One of the most revered places in all of Ireland, it was here that St. Kevin founded a monastery in the sixth century. You can head out on your own to explore the monastic ruins, walk along the shores of the lakes, or possibly take the upper road along the forest trails. Standing amongst this awesome setting, one can feel a powerful sense of peace and tranquility. Glendalough is truly one of the holiest places in Ireland.
2nd Overnight Glendalough
May 13: Today we have to leave the peace of the Wicklow Mountains and head toward the West coast. But on the way we will visit Clonmacnoise, one of Europe’s most highly regarded places of its kind, founded by St Kieran around 548AD. Situated in a lovely pastoral setting on the River Shannon, this 6th c. monastic site is a favorite for many. The charming town of Westport, designated one of Ireland’s Heritage Towns, is situated in the shadow of Croagh Patrick, overlooking Clew Bay. Approaching it from the landward side to the east, Croagh Patrick looks as if it has to be a holy mountain – and it is. Indeed, it is Ireland’s holiest, and one which has been attracting people to climb to its summit since the misty days of prehistory. Just a brief visit to the base of this famous mountain will give the traveler a sense of awe, watching the clouds and mist swirling around the summit. One feels truly at a ‘thin place’, being transported into another dimension.
One Overnight Westport
May 14: Connemara is one of the most scenic regions in Ireland. Its craggy mountain peaks, expansive sandy beaches and laced network of lakes exemplify the peaceful solitude and rugged beauty of The West of Ireland. Dominated by the majestic Twelve Bens mountain range, (Na Beanna Beola) this wilderness area is dotted with lakes and fringed by the deeply indented Atlantic coastline. Broken into innumerable creeks, bays and little harbors, Connemara will remain in one’s memory for years to come…
1st Overnight Aran Islands
May 15: Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands, is known for its archeological sites, stone walls, and a warm community of people still living the Celtic traditions of generations gone before. The rugged natural beauty is accentuated by the thatched roofs, and the Irish language is still spoken by most of the residents. Aran (Inishmore) was an important center for early Irish Christianity. The island’s ancient monuments and early Christian ruins are so many in number it would take a week to see them all. Dun Aengus - The Fort of Aonghasa - sits on the very edge of the island on top of a 90m high sea cliff. Dun Aengus is one of the finest prehistoric monuments in all of Western Europe may date as far back as 2400-2000 BC.
And don’t forget, the famous Aran Sweater Factory is here!
2nd Overnight Aran Islands.
May 16: Sadly we have to leave this other-worldly island behind. Yet we have the opportunity to attend the 14th c. Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas in Galway, nestled in the heart of Galway. A short walk past the shops of sleepy Galway on Sunday morning gives us a glimpse of this charming town. And in the afternoon, the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, and the high crosses of Kilfenora await us. Natural ramparts against the might of the Atlantic, the cliffs of Moher rise in places over 700 feet. It is here that the visitor can most easily get a feel for the wildness of the terrain over which the Celts wandered. The Burren is an amazing place. It is a region of karst limestone, with a distinct ghostlike appearance when viewed from a distance. A fine collection of plants, both Alpine and Mediterranean, grow side by side. The tiny village of Kilfenora has a new Visitors’ Center with an exceptional audio-visual presentation of the Burren. There is a church there as well, with three 12th century high crosses.
Overnight the Burren
May 17: Today we continue our route south, heading toward the Dingle Peninsula, an exquisitely beautiful area with spectacular sea views and rolling emerald green hillsides covered with sheep and stone walls. We will take the time to see the Gallarus Oratory, circa A.D. 800, one of Ireland's best-preserved early Christian churches. Its shape is reminiscent of an upturned boat, and its watertight dry-stone walls have sheltered travelers and pilgrims for 1,200 years. This is one of Rick Steve’s highly recommended areas is all of Ireland.
1st Overnight Killarney
May 18: Providing an amazing insight into the ancient heritage of Ireland, the Ring of Kerry has a landscape carved out of rock going back 10,000 years ago. Part of this day will be given to seeing this well-known area, which will include the relatively new Skellig Experience Visitors Center, with its memorable audio-visual presentation about the Skellig Islands and the life and work of the monks who lived on Skellig Michael from the sixth to the 13th centuries.
2nd Overnight Killarney
May 19: Rounding the bend of our 2010 trip to Ireland, before heading north toward Shannon Airport, we’ll take some time to visit the charming town of Blarney with its Blarney Woolen Mills and of course the Blarney Castle. And nearby is a charming town of Cobh, once called Queenstown. Over 2.5 million emigrants departed from this harbor from 1848 to 1950, and the Heritage Center is a poignant reminder of those years. The town, situated on the side of a hill, spills down to the water’s edge, with St Colman’s Cathedral firmly standing there like a mother hen watching over her brood. The cathedral is proud of its carillon tower of 47 bells that rings out across this lovely harbor town.
Overnight near Shannon Airport.
May 20: Morning flight back to USA from Shannon International Airport. We look forward to seeing you on another one of our Celtic Journeys. Take care of yourselves… God Bless.
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