May 14   Evening flight from Newark International Airport to Dublin.

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May 15   Early morning arrival Dublin International airport. After collecting our baggage, we will be greeted by our driver/guide.  Our first stop will be a visit to St Patrick’s Cathedral where Jonathan Swift was once Dean. We will then drive a short distance over to Trinity College for the award-winning exhibit on the Book of Kells. This area is rich in culture, with the National Gallery and the National Library only a block away. Later in the afternoo16n, leaving the hustle and bustle of Dublin behind, we will head up into the serene Wicklow Mountains. But beforehand, we won’t miss the chance of a quick tour around this historic city, passing the historic GPO building, the Georgian doors, etc

1st Overnight Glendalough

      

May 16   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. Today you have time to explore the monastic ruins, walk along the shores of the lakes, or perhaps take the high road along the forest trails. Standing amongst this awesome setting, one can feel a powerful sense of peace and tranquility. And hopefully, Father Michael Rodgers, author of a wonderful book on Glendalough, will be our guide. Glendalough is truly one of Ireland’s most sacred places. You will never forget it…

2nd Overnight Glendalough

May 17   Following our refreshing respite up in the Wicklow Mountains, we are now ready to continue on our journey.  After driving across the Wicklow Gap with its breathtaking views, we’re going to visit Kildare, to give obeisance to St Brigid. It was here where St Brigid’s monastery was founded, and we shall take the time to visit tthe Solas Bhride Centre, devoted to St Brigid, and afterward an ancient Holy Well. Then on to Clonmacnoise, founded by St Kieran around 548AD, one of Europe’s most highly regarded places of its kind. Situated in a lovely pastoral setting on the River Shannon, this 6th c. monastic site with its famous High Crosses will certainly remain in your memory…             

1st Overnight Westport

                

May 18   A leisurely morning and then we shall then drive over to nearby Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s Holy Mountain. One of Europe's best-known places of Pilgrimage, Croagh Patrick presents a striking backdrop to the town of Westport. This mountain, 10 km west of the town, provides a tough ascent for thousands of pilgrims each year, many of whom climb barefoot in memory of St. Patrick, who purportedly spent forty days and forty nights fasting on the summit more than 1,500 years ago. Then a quick drive over to “The Abbey that refused to die” founded in 1216, Ballintubber Abbey.

2nd Overnight Westport

 

May 19   A visit to Kylemore Abbey, home to Irish Benedictine nuns since 1920, will be a highlight for today. Two of Kylemore’s most loved features are the Victorian walled gardens and the miniature cathedral, known locally as the Gothic church.

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Connemara is one of the most scenic areas of Ireland in a wild and barren way. As with most of Galway, Connemara's history goes back thousands of years. The famous green Connemara Marble was a trade treasure used by many inhabitants over time, and it continues to be of great value today. Galway “city” is really more like a town, a young and vibrant place, yet ancient and historic. Eyre Square, the Spanish Arch, the Claddagh area are just a few well-known points of interest. Then ahead of us is a beautiful ride looking back on Galway Bay, and on to the Burren. An amazing place, the Burren is a region of karst limestone with a distinct ethereal appearance when viewed from a distance. A diverse collection of plants, both Alpine and Mediterranean, grow side by side among the stone crevices.

Overnight the Burren

 

May 20  Before we leave this unusual area behind us, we’ll take the time to see the beautiful ruins of Corcomroe Abbey, a Cistercian foundation from the 13th century. John O’Donoghue lived in this area of Ireland and often would spend time here at the abbey. And on to the Poulnabrone Dolmen nearby, one of Ireland’s most famous iconic archaeological sites and one of the oldest dated megalithic monuments in Ireland. Yet the Cliffs of Moher await us, rising in places to over 700 feet. It is here that the visitor often speaks in just a whisper, not unlike when one enters a majestic cathedral… Once on the road, a short ferry trip across the widest part of the River Shannon will bring us closer to Killarney where we will be spending three nights.

1st Overnight Killarney

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May 21  Killarney is a place of timeless natural beauty, comprised of the world-famous lakes of Killarney, ancient woodlands, waterfalls and parkland. The town is popular with visitors, and rightly so… In the morning you’ll have the time to meander around town, take a carriage ride, or just explore the National Park nearby. In the afternoon we'll drive to the charming fishing village of Dingle and the Dingle Peninsula, with its spectacular sea views and rolling emerald green hillsides covered with sheep and stone walls. While there we'll visit the Gallarus Oratory, circa  A.D. 800, one of Ireland's best-preserved early primitive Christian churches.

2nd Overnight Killarney

 

May 22  Today we’ll spend exploring the famous Ring of Kerry. Visitors since Victorian times have been drawn to this part of Ireland "where mysterious ancient ring forts stand sentinel on mossy hillsides." (Rick Steves) The Skelligs Experience Centre should not be missed, designed to be rugged in feeling and to reflect the experience of being out on the remote island of Skellig Michael where monks lived from the 7th century. The audiovisual presentation is truly transporting.

3rd Overnight Killarney 

 

May 23 Well, our time is soon coming to a close in this truly enchanting country. Yet we still have some wonderful plans for this our last day…  Bunratty Castle is one of the finest surviving examples of an Irish tower house, furnished with the authentic medieval furniture. Adjoining the castle is an historic village dated to the 1800’s, where animals are tended, bread is baked, milk is churned, walls are white-washed, and roofs are thatched. It’s a favorite place not only for visitors, but for the Irish themselves… one feels transported in time.

Overnight near Shannon Airport

                             

May 24   Return flight to the states. We hope you can join us on our unique Celtic Journeys to the mystical magical Emerald Isle. You will not regret it.