St. Peter’s Episcopal Church

Youth Pilgrimage to Ireland & Northern Ireland

Led by:

The Rev. Stephen Mazingo

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
Fernandina Beach, FL

June 9 – 18, 2014

DAY 1: Monday, June 9, 2014 - Depart Jacksonville Airport and arrive in Charlotte, NC where we change planes for our trans-Atlantic flight into Dublin. M

DAY 2: Tuesday, June 10, 2014 - Upon arrival in Dublin, we clear immigration and travel to Galway City for a guided walking tour of the city.  We visit St. Nicholas Church, the largest medieval parish church in Ireland in continuous use as a place of worship, and Galway City Museum.  We have some free time to shop or wander the medieval streets of Galway before we shop for our continental breakfast and packed lunches for the next few days.  Dinner and overnight Park Lodge Cottages, Spiddal. LD

DAY 3: Wednesday, June 11, 2014 - This morning we enjoy a ferry ride to Inis Mór, the largest of the Aran Islands.  Weather permitting we will ride bicycles for our exploration of Inis Mór beginning with the impressive Bronze Age fortress of Dún Aengus, an 8th century BC fort overlooking a sheer 300 foot drop to the Atlantic.  We meet with Dara Molloy, a former Catholic priest who has developed his teaching and Celtic resources on the Aran Islands.  We reflect on the pre-Christian tradition as well as the monastic heritage on Aran.  We visit the monastery of St. Brecan at the “Seven Churches”.  We see a clochán or beehive cell built with dry wall corbelling.  This evening we return to the mainland to Park Lodge Cottages, Spiddal for dinner and overnight. BLD

DAY 4: Thursday, June 12, 2014 - 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.  Dinner and overnight Park Lodge Cottages, Spiddal. 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 5: Friday, June 13, 2014 - Today we travel to Glendalough stopping along the way in Kildare.  We visit the Brigidine Sisters, founded in 1807 by Daniel Delany, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin.  The sisters live in Solas Bhríde, a small Christian centre which has as its focus St. Brigid and Celtic Spirituality.  We participate in a pilgrimage developed by the sisters, “Walking in the footsteps of Brigid.”  The pilgrimage leads us to historical sites associated with Brigid including a visit to St. Brigid’s Cathedral which commemorates the saint who founded a religious community here in 490.  Here, monks and nuns lived under the same roof and a perpetual fire, a pagan ritual, was kept burning here until the 16th century.  This afternoon we meet with Fr. Michael Rodgers and help a local heritage group map out the old graveyard and Monastic City of Glendalough.  Dinner and overnight overnight Glendalough International Hostel, Co. Wicklow. BLD

DAY 6: Saturday, June 14, 2014 - This morning we visit the Heritage Centre and Museum where we see a video entitled “Ireland of the Monasteries”.  We meet our guide, Fr. Michael Rodgers, who will lead us on a spiritual journey along the Pilgrims’ Walk through St. Kevin’s Monastic City and then take the Pilgrims’ Way to the upper lake where we visit the remains of St. Kevin’s Cell and the Reefert Church.  From here we gaze across the lake to see St. Kevin’s Bed and the ruins of Tempall na Skellig, “Church of the Rock”.  We continue on to Newgrange Lodge Hostel for dinner and overnight. BLD

DAY 7: Sunday, June 15, 2014 - This morning we travel into Northern Ireland to Armagh, the City of St. Patrick and the spiritual capital of Ireland.  We worship at St. Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral.  After the service we meet our guide for a tour of the Cathedral and the Roman Catholic Cathedral.  We continue to Downpatrick, the county town of Down with a rich history and strong connection to Saint Patrick.  We visit Saul Church, built in 1932, to commemorate Saint Patrick's first church in Ireland, Down Cathedral, close to where it is believed that the mortal remains of Patrick lie buried, and St. Patrick’s Grave.  Dinner and overnight Newgrange Lodge Hostel. BLD

DAY 8: Monday, June 16, 2014 - We depart for Brú na Bóinne, the cradle of Irish civilization. Our first stop will be Monasterboice which was founded by Saint Buite who died in 521 AD. This site contains two of the finest High Crosses in Ireland, both of which date to around the 9th century.  We visit one of the Neolithic passage graves at Brú na Bóinne and Causey Farm to participate in some farm activities and a Ceili Dance lesson.  We return to Newgrange Lodge Hostel for dinner and overnight. BLD

DAY 9: Tuesday, June 17, 2014 - We spend our last day in the capital of Ireland, Dublin.  We visit Trinity College to see the magnificent Old Library and the 1200 year old Book of Kells.  This beautifully illuminated version of the Gospels was designed by monks in the 9th century.  The rest of the day will be free for shopping and personal exploration in Dublin.  We attend Evensong at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and enjoy a traditional Fish & Chips dinner and then continue on to the Clarion Hotel, Dublin Airport for overnight. BLD

DAY 10: Tuesday, June 18, 2014 - After breakfast we transfer to the Dublin Airport and board our flight for our departure to Philadelphia where we clear customs, change planes and continue to Jacksonville. BM

Price:  $2,569.00*.  Price is based on a minimum 10 - 14 Pilgrims, double/triple/quad occupancy (accommodations may vary throughout the pilgrimage) without airline taxes and fuel surcharges.  Roundtrip air from Jacksonville International Airport.  Air transportation available from other cities.  Single Supplement:  $249.00

*Excludes airline taxes and fuel surcharges that will be added to your final payment invoice.  Estimated taxes and fuel surcharges as September 25, 2013 are $530.86 per person.

*Price includes trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, meals, entrance fees, transportation per itinerary, accommodations, air and tips.

*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 $1.35 to the Euro.

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

Final Payment due by March 10, 2014.

Cancellation Penalties
◊ Until March 10, 2014:  $100.00 plus any unrecoverable fees.
◊ March 11 - April 24, 2014:  $200.00 plus any unrecoverable fees.
◊ April 25, 2014 or later:  NO REFUND

Meals: B Breakfast, L Lunch, D Dinner, M Meals on Aircraft

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