Exploring our Celtic Spirituality

A Pilgrimage to Ireland

Led by:

The Rev. Stephen Mazingo
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
Fernandina Beach, FL

May 7 – 17, 2017

DAY 1: Sunday, May 7, 2017 - Depart the United States for our trans-Atlantic flight to Dublin, Ireland. M

DAY 2: Monday, May 8, 2017 - We arrive in Dublin, meet our driver and guide and travel to Newgrange for a visit to the Stone Age passage graves.  We see the Hill of Slane where St. Patrick lit a Paschal fire as a challenge to the pagan High King of Tara and visit Monasterboice to see Muiredach’s High Cross, the finest high cross in all of Ireland.  Later we visit Mellifont Abbey, founded in 1142 and the first Cistercian Abbey in Ireland.  We return to Dublin where we visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral for Evensong.  Dinner and overnight Dublin. D

DAY 3: Tuesday, May 9, 2017 - Today we spend a day in Ireland’s capital, 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 to the National Museum, housing a rich collection of Irish antiquities from the prehistoric times to the end of the medieval period.  We visit St. Audoen's Church the oldest parish church in Dublin still in use and St Michan’s Church rebuilt in 1686 on the site of an 11th century Hiberno-Viking church.  Deep in its vaults lie a number of bodies that have barely decomposed because of the dry atmosphere created by the church's magnesian limestone walls.  Their wooden caskets, however, have cracked open revealing the preserved bodies, complete with skin and strands of hair.  We return to our hotel and are free to enjoy dinner in a city restaurant of our own choosing.  Later we will meet and enjoy The Dublin Literary Pub Crawl where we hear some history, listen to music, and literature, washed down with a pint.  Led by two actors, the tour will take us to several pubs frequented by some of Ireland’s greatest writers: Joyce, Beckett, Shaw, Yeats, Wilde, and Behan, among others.  Overnight Dublin. B

DAY 4: Wednesday, May 10, 2017 - This morning we visit Glendalough 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 meet Fr. Michael Rodgers who returned to Ireland after twenty years of missionary service.  During this time he began to explore his own roots, a journey that led him eventually to mystical Glendalough.  He will lead us on a walk to St. Kevin’s Monastic City where we visit St. Kevin’s Church, Kevin’s Cross, the Cathedral, the Round Tower and St. Mary’s Church.  We celebrate Holy Eucharist at Glendalough before we return to Dublin to attend St. Patrick’s Cathedral for Evensong.  Dinner and overnight Dublin. BD

DAY 5: Thursday, May 11, 2017 - This morning we travel toward Galway and visit Clonmacnoise, an early Christian site founded by Saint Ciaran in the 6th century.  This site includes the ruins of a cathedral, eight churches (10th -13th century), two round towers, three high crosses and a large collection of early Christian grave slabs.  We continue to Galway for dinner and overnight. BD

DAY 6: Friday, May 12, 2017 - Today we have the option to visit Kylemore Abbey or to climb Croagh Patrick.  Those that choose Kylemore Abbey will travel through beautiful Connemara to Kylemore Abbey, the oldest of the Irish Benedictine Abbeys.  The community of nuns who have resided here since 1920 have a long history stretching back almost three hundred and forty years.  We will visit the Abbey, the Gothic Church, the Victorian Walled Gardens, the Craft Shop, Pottery studio, as well as the Lake and Woodlands.  Those that choose Croagh Patrick will travel close to the town of Westport in County Mayo to 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.  This evening we will enjoy a dinner cruise on board the Corrib Princess which departs from the pier at Woodquay in Galway city center.  Passengers will enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and the lake as we cruise River & Lough Corrib.  We will enjoy a four course dinner followed by an Irish coffee demonstration giving the history of Irish whiskey and showing the art of Irish coffee making.  The evening will continue with entertainment from Carmel Dempsey who is a well-known musician and singer from Galway.  Carmel will be joined on board by Brenda Curtin.  Brenda was one of the soloists from Michael Flatley’s world-renowned Lord of The Dance Show.  Our talented Irish dancer will amaze the audience with her performance.  Overnight Galway. BD

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: Saturday, May 13, 2017 - After breakfast we travel to the ferry port Rossaveal where we take a ferry to the Aran Islands.  We tour by coach and visit Dun Aengus, the Iron Age fort built as four concentric stone walls.  The fort has been called the “most magnificent barbaric monument in Europe”.  We visit Na Seacht dTeampaill, the Seven Churches which make up a monastic settlement dedicated to St. Brecan.  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.  We will renew our Baptismal Vows on the island before dinner in our guesthouse.  Dinner and Overnight Inis Mór. BD

DAY 8: Sunday, May 14, 2017 - This morning we depart on the ferry from the Aran Islands and travel to Kilmacduagh, an old monastic settlement, then continue to The Burren in North County Clare.  There are no bogs and very few pastures here, instead there are huge pavements of limestone.  The Burren is also famous for its plant life.  We continue to the Cliffs of Moher.  The Cliffs are 214m high at the highest point and range for 8 kilometers over the Atlantic Ocean on the western seaboard of County Clare.  O'Brien's Tower stands proudly on a headland of the majestic Cliffs.  From there we go on to the lovely town of Killarney for dinner and overnight. BD

DAY 9: Monday, May 15, 2017 - In the footsteps of St. James and St. Brendan, we explore the Dingle Peninsula with its beautiful seascapes and visit the Gallarus Oratory, Ireland’s best preserved pilgrims’ church dating from about the 8th century.  We celebrate Eucharist in the ruins of Kilmalkedar Church.  This early Christian and medieval site is spread over a large area of around 10 acres.  The history of this site is associated with St. Brendan but the site is said to have been founded by St. Maolcethair.  At the center of this area is a 12th century Romanesque Church which consists of a nave and chancel.  Amongst the other features here are the Alphabet Stone, a holed Ogham Stone, Sun Dial and more.  Dinner and overnight Killarney. BD

DAY 10: Tuesday, May 16, 2017 - This morning we visit Muckross House before we depart for Limerick.  Built in 1843, the 65 room Victorian mansion house is one of Ireland’s leading stately homes.  It stands majestically on the lake shore in the Killarney National Park.  Today, many of the rooms in this magnificent mansion have been restored to their original Victorian splendor.  We stop in the lovely village of Adare on our way to Ennis.  Dinner and overnight Ennis. BD

DAY 11: Wednesday, May 17, 2017 - We depart from Ennis to Shannon to board our return flight to the USA arriving back to Jacksonville this evening. BM

Price:  Contact St. Peter’s Episcopal Church for Pricing and Payment Information.

* 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 $1.14 to the Euro.  Excludes airline taxes & fuel surcharges which are currently at $110.00 per pilgrim.  These will be added to your final payment invoice.  Excludes tips for the driver and guide that are payable upon completion of services.  Roundtrip air from Jacksonville, FL Airport.  Air transportation available from other cities.

Deposit $300.00 due with application and copy of passport is due by December 2, 2016.

Final payment due February 3, 2017.

Cancellation Penalties
◊ Until February 2, 2017:  $100 per person plus any unrecoverable fees.
◊ February 3 – March 22, 2017:  $200 per person plus any unrecoverable fees.
◊ March 23, 2017 or later:  NO REFUND

Terms and Conditions:
◊ 1. PRICES ARE CASH.  AMERICAN EXPRESS ACCEPTED FOR FINAL PAYMENT ONLY ADD'L 4.0%.
◊ 2. Names as on passport.  If name is incorrect and tickets reissued, $50 fee plus change fees from airline.
◊ 3. $100 deviation fee plus any additional airfare, hotel, tour or admission charges.

Worldwide Pilgrimage Ministries provides the following basic travel insurance for you at no additional cost:
◊ Trip Delay - $1,000
◊ Baggage & Personal Effects - $1,500
◊ Baggage Delay - $250
◊ Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses - $25,000
◊ Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation - $150,000
◊ Travel Assistance & Concierge Services are provided By Travelex's designated providers.

It is recommended that you purchase additional coverage. Go to our website www.worldwidepilgrimage.com and click on Travelex Insurance to read the coverages and rules regarding existing conditions or call 800-228-9792 Location # 09-1983.

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.