CATHOLIC TOUR IRELAND 
9 DAYS PILGRIMAGE TO IRELAND
DUBLIN - HOLY TRINITY ABBEY - KNOCK - CLONMACNOISE - GALWAY
CLIFFS OF MOHER - ROCK OF CASHEL - GLENDALOUGH - DUBLIN
ITINERARY
Day 1 DEPARTURE - FLIGHT TO IRELAND
Departure for Ireland, USA - Dublin, overnight flight!
Day 2 DUBLIN ARRIVAL
At Dublin airport we meet our Irish tour guide. He will help us discover this beautiful, picturesque and charming city. We will have a panoramic city tour on both sides of the River Liffey, 
where we pass by General Post Office on the city's main thoroughfare, O'Connell Street, Custom House, and the Phoenix Park, the largest city park in Europe.
On the other side of the river are Georgian squares characterized by colorful doors, Grafton Street and Trinity College which is the oldest university in Ireland founded in 1592 by Elizabeth 1st. Time permitting we visit the ancient library containing over twenty thousand manuscripts, among which is Book of Kells, an manuscript from the 9th century written by the monks at St. Colombo's monastery on the island of Iona. Today we will also visit St. Patrick's Anglican Cathedral, built in 1213. This Gothic Cathedral has a splendid interior, with some beautiful tombs monuments, the ornate stained glass windows can be found in the Chancel. Late in the afternoon is our transfer to county Cavan to HOLY TRINITY ABBEY, check in to hotel in the area.
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Day 3
Today we will travel through the mountains of Wicklow, the ‘Garden of Ireland’ to reach Medieval Kilkenny and magnificent view of the Sugar Loaf Mountain. Morning visit to Glendalough, an ancient monastic city, established in the 6th century by St. Kevin, in the heart of “the valley of the two lakes” (Gleann da Loch). It was a very important centre of learning as well as a pilgrimage destination. There are many legends concerning St. Kevin and he is often compared to St. Francis of Assisi. We’ll be taken on a guided tour of the site, which includes a Round Tower, the ruins of the Cathedral, and “St. Kevin’s Kitchen” surrounded by an old cemetery. This route continues to Baltinglass where the ruins of a Cistercian Abbey are found. We will then pass by Castledermot, where we set eyes upon the remnants of a Franciscan Abbey, before arriving in Tipperary for dinner and overnight.
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Day 4
Today we are on to the "Rock of Cashel", standing high in the middle of the "Golden Vale",
these religious buildings, dating from the 12th century
, form the most spectacular medieval
set in Ireland. The Cathedral, the Round Tower and Cormac Chapel, which is the first Irish Romanesque
church, testify the importance of the site. This place used to be the seat of the High Kings of Munster,
so once more we find here the two traditions and cultures meeting with one another where story of St. Patrick's Cross will tell us more…! On our schedule today is visit to the Waterford.
Then we head towards Cork, going through a large valley 'the Golden Vale'.
In Kerry or region is our hotel for overnight and dinner.
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Day 5
The Dingle Peninsula is the most northern of the Kerry peninsulas. From town Inch, where David Lean was shooting movie "Ryan's daughter", and the last part of country where Gaelic language is spoken, we continue along the Eagle Mount and the cliffs of Slea Head. In Early Christian Ireland monks were looking for isolated places, Gallarus Oratory is one of those. It is dating from the 9th century, and excellently preserved testify very good construction quality. Oratory used to be place of prayer for monks. Our next stop is Kilmalkedar Church, built in 12th century, once part of a complex of religious buildings, Romanesque style. Overnight with dinner is in Kerry or region.
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Day 6
After good Irish breakfast we will be going north through Listowel and embark on the ferry at Killimer to cross the Shannon estuary. Once in County Clare, beautiful landscapes, after Lahinch, a Victorian seaside resort, we visit the Cliffs of Moher. The coastal rode with Galway's intensely blue bay on one side and natural rocky landscape on the other side. Our next stop and visit is to Corcomroe Abbey that is another Cistercian Abbey in ruins. It lies in its own valley and Donal Mor O'Brien founded it in the late 12th century. In the abbey one can find fine Romanesque carvings. From here we go on to Galway, it has kept its medieval charm with its colorful streets and many authentic pubs. Dinner and overnight stay in Galway.
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Day 7 
Today we are on a Corrib Cruise on Corrib Lake, which is the largest in Republic of Ireland. It is going to be best way to see Galway and its surroundings. On our route today is visit to Clonmacnoise, which is Ireland's most important monastic site, which is overlooking the River Shannon. The site was founded by St. Ciaran in the 6th century and consists of a walled field containing numerous early churches, high crosses, round towers and graves. Overnight and dinner is in Galway.
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Day 8 - KNOCK
Today on our Christian path is visit to Knock and the shrine situated in the plains of East Mayo. It is one of the world’s leading Marian shrines. On 21st August 1879, at about 8 o'clock, fifteen people; women, men and children, witnessed an Apparition. We will visit the Basilica, the largest church in Ireland. Knock is a very popular pilgrimage destination, and in 1979 Pope John Paul II visited this holy place. We will spend afternoon on our own, after mass some private prayer time at the shrine, free time for lunch and shopping before returning to hotel for dinner and overnight.
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Day 9
Today you leave Knock, beautiful scenery travelling to Dublin. In the afternoon we are in Dublin and will visit the National Museum, situated in the heart of the city, its collection of golden prehistoric jewellery is without a doubt the most beautiful in Europe. You will be particularly interested in the Celtic finery as well as numerous early Christian ornaments and relics of great beauty. In the afternoon there will be some free time.
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Day 10
Entire day you will have free time, Dublin on your own, shopping, visits, lunch. We meet for transfer to typical Irish tevern in the fishing village of Howth, where we will enjoy Irish singers and musicians in an authentic Irish atmosphere. Overnight in Dublin.
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Day 11
Last morning in Ireland, saying good buy to our guide and driver, transfer to airport for flight back home!
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TOUR IS READY TO BE CUSTOMIZED FOR YOUR PARISH/GROUP
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INCLUDES
+ round trip air fares from
US
+ Full Irish breakfast, dinner daily + farewell dinner in typical Irish tavern with music and entertaintment
+ 9 nights, good 3 star hotels, like "Jurys Inn", "Days" "Trinity Capital" "Minella"
+ Escort and local English speaking guides according the itinerary
+ Modern motor coach, high class tourist coaches
+ Mass daily with the priest in the group
+ Car ferry from Tarbert to Killimer on day 5
+ Cruise on Lough Corrib
+ Visits to Trinity College, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Rock of Cashel, Cliffs of Moher, Cormcorroe Abbey, Clonmacnoise, Kilmalkedar Church, Glendalough...
NOT INCLUDED
+ Tips for guides, driver
+ Daily lunch, drinks
+ Porterage of luggage
+ Travel insurance
NOTES:
TOUR CONDITIONS
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