Pictures from Ireland

Exploring our Celtic Spirituality

Youth Pilgrimage to Ireland

Led by:

The Rev. Nick Morris-Kliment
Trinity Episcopal Church
Concord, MA

June 29 – July 8, 2010

Trip map

DAY 1, Tuesday, June 29, 2010 - Depart the Boston Airport on Aer Lingus to Newark Airport for our non-stop trans-Atalantic flight into Dublin.  Dinner on board the aircraft. D

DAY 2: Wednesday, June 30, 2010 - Our pilgrimage to Ireland begins:  Upon arrival in Dublin, we clear immigration and depart for Glendalough, stopping along the way to purchase groceries for our meal preparation at the retreat house.  Glendalough is a remarkable place that will still your mind, inspire your heart and fill your soul.  We visit the Heritage Centre and Museum where we see a video entitled “Ireland of the Monasteries”.  We then enjoy a hearty lunch at the Glendalough Hotel.  This evening we will have a group meeting followed by an evening meal at our retreat house.  Dinner and overnight Sli an Chroi, St. Patricks, Kiltegan, Co. Wicklow. BLD

DAY 3: Thursday, July 1, 2010 - An early morning start with a pilgrim’s walk through St. Kevin’s Monastic City before the crowds arrive.  We meet our local guide and visit St. Kevin’s Church, Kevin’s Cross, The Cathedral, The Round Tower and St. Mary’s Church.  We will then return to the retreat house and the rest of the afternoon will be free to explore on our own in small groups, reflect, journal or rest.  Dinner and overnight Sli an Chroi, St. Patricks, Kiltegan, Co. Wicklow. BLD

DAY 4: Friday, July 2, 2010 - Today we travel to the capital of Ireland, Dublin where we visit Trinity College to see the magnificent Old Library and the 1200 year old Book of Kells, the beautifully illuminated version of the Gospels, designed by monks in the 9th century.  We continue on to the National Museum, housing a rich collection of Irish antiquities from the prehistoric times to the end of the medieval period.  This afternoon we will be free for shopping and personal exploration in Dublin.  We enjoy a traditional Fish and Chips dinner then continue on to The Emmaus Retreat Centre, Swords, Co. Dublin for overnight. BLD

DAY 5: Saturday, July 3, 2010 - After breakfast we depart for Kildare, site of the 6th century St. Brigid’s Monastery, St. Brigid’s Cathedral and St. Brigid’s Well.  We visit Solas Bhríde, a small Christian centre, which has as its focus St. Brigid and Celtic Spirituality.  We enjoy prayers, reflection and a Pilgrim Liturgy at St Brigid’s Well.  We continue on our journey to the small costal village of Spiddal in the west of Ireland for dinner and overnight at the Park Lodge Hotel, Spiddal. BLD

DAY 6: Sunday, July 4, 2010 - Our journey continues as we travel to Croagh Patrick, Patrick’s sacred mountain.  The tradition of pilgrimage to this holy mountain stretches back over 5,000 years from the Stone Age to the present day without interruption.  It was on the summit of this mountain that Saint Patrick fasted for forty days in 441 AD and the custom has been faithfully handed down from generation to generation ever since.  We will climb the mountain under the direction of an experienced local guide.  We continue on to Rossaveal where we take the ferry to Inis Mor, one of the mystical Aran Islands.  Dinner and overnight Inis Mor, Aran Islands. BLD

Croagh Patrick will take about 6 hours to climb to the top and back down.  Please note that this is a difficult climb and you may not be able to complete it.  You must have appropriate attire including climbing boots with ankle support, rain jacket, layers of light clothing which can be put on and removed as required, backpack, plenty of water and snacks.

DAY 7: Monday, July 5, 2010 - Today we explore Inis Mor with Dara Molloy a former Catholic priest who has developed his teaching and Celtic resources on the Aran Islands.  We will rent bicycles (weather permitting) and visit Dun Aengus, an 8th century B.C. fort.  We will reflect on the pre-Christian tradition as well as the monastic heritage on Aran.  After lunch, we continue to the Seven Churches, the Viking Mound, St. Kierans and the Seal Sanctuary.  After dinner, we enjoy traditional Irish Ceili Dancing Lessons with a local expert from the Island. Dinner and overnight Tigh Fitz Guesthouse. BLD

DAY 8: Tuesday, July 6, 2010 - Today we will be free to explore the unique island on our bicycles.  There may be a possibility today for a Community Service project.  More information will be provided to us from our leaders as we prepare for our pilgrimage.  After dinner, we meet with Padraigin Clancy who has lectured extensively and has facilitated retreats and seminars throughout Ireland, appearing frequently on Irish national radio and television.  Originally drawn to the Island by her studies, she has made it her home since 1990.  In that time she has documented an extensive collection of Irish folklore and cultural history.  Dinner and overnight Tigh Fitz Guesthouse. BLD

DAY 9: Wednesday, July 7, 2010 - Today we visit Galway, City of the Tribes, where we will have some time to explore the city on our own in small groups with a chaperone.  We continue on to the Burren, which means “rocky land” in Gaelic. The Burren is a unique botanical environment in which Mediterranean and Alpine plants rare to Ireland grow side by side.  In the southern part of the Burren, limestone gives way to the black shale and sandstone that form the dramatic Cliffs of Moher.  We continue on to Ennis, known for its painted storefronts and traditional music.  We visit Ennis Cathedral, also known as St. Peter and St. Paul Cathedral. Our driver will bid us farewell after we check into our hotel for our final night in Ireland.  Dinner and overnight Park Inn Hotel, Shannon Airport. BD

DAY 10: Thursday, July 8, 2010 - After breakfast we walk across to the Shannon Airport for our return flight home.  A hotel porter will arrange for trolleys to transfer our luggage to the airport.  We board Aer Lingus for our departure to Dublin.  There we will transfer to our flight into Boston Airport. BL

Price: $3,599.00  Price is based on double occupancy without airline taxes and fuel surcharges.  Roundtrip air from Boston, MA.  Air transportation available from other cities.

Price includes trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance.

* Excludes airline taxes and surcharges that will be added to your final payment invoice. Estimated taxes as of October 2, 2009 $116.57 per person.

** The price is not guaranteed and may change due to the fluctuation of the Euro and the US dollar.  We make every effort to avoid any increase and will only do so if the value of the dollar falls against the Euro.  Your pricing was based on the exchange rate of $1.46066 to the Euro. **

During this itinerary, you will shop and plan for your meals while in the Glendalough area.  You will be preparing your own breakfast, packed lunches and dinners while in the Glendalough area.

$200.00 per person deposit due with registration and copy of passport.

Final Payment due by March 30, 2010.

Cancellation Penalties
◊ October 2, 2009 – March 30, 2010 - $100.00 plus any unrecoverable fees.
◊ March 31, 2010 – May 14, 2010 - $200.00 plus any unrecoverable fees.
◊ After May 15, 2010:  NO REFUND

Meals: B Breakfast, L Lunch, D Dinner

The itinerary is subject to change due to local conditions or at the discretion and direction of the leader or guide.