Join us on a faith-filled Catholic pilgrimage through the breathtaking landscapes and sacred sites of Ireland, where prayer, history, and fellowship come together in a truly unforgettable journey. From the vibrant streets of Dublin and the majestic Rock of Cashel to the stunning Cliffs of Moher, each day offers new opportunities to encounter God’s presence in the beauty of His creation.
Along the way, we will celebrate Mass at holy places connected to Ireland’s rich spiritual heritage, including Clonmacnoise Abbey and the renowned Marian Shrine at Knock. We invite you to deepen your faith, build lasting friendships, and create memories that will remain in your heart long after we return home.
Rev. Msgr. Dr. Louis A. Marucci - Pastor/Executive Director/Consultant
Rev. Msgr. Dr. Louis A. Marucci, a Philadelphia native, has served the Diocese of Camden since his ordination in 1987 and currently pastors St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Gibbsboro/Voorhees, New Jersey. Despite paralysis from Multiple Sclerosis, he holds an undergraduate degree in theology, five master’s degrees, a Doctor of Ministry in Bio-Medical Ethics, and a Ph.D. in Organizational Development, Leadership, and Change. He has previously served as the Director of Vocations and Executive Director of Development for the Diocese and led numerous parish missions and retreats throughout his years of priestly ministry. He serves as a consultant for parish leadership, management, and administration.
$5,249/person in Double Occupancy - $6,049/person in Single Occupancy
Packages Include:
8 Nights in Superior Hotels w/ Porterage (1 bag/person)
Roundtrip Airfare from PHL*
Daily Mass Arrangements
Tour Escort Services
Transportation by a Modern, Wheelchair Accessible Coach Bus
8 Breakfasts and 8 Dinners
One Glass of Wine, Beer, or Soft Drink with Dinners
All Entrances and Activities per the Itinerary
*Includes Economy-class seat with one checked bag/person. See "Day 1" for flight details.
$4,199/person in Double Occupancy - $4,999/person in Single Occupancy
Today, we board our long flights to Dublin and do our best to get some rest as we anticipate our arrival early the next morning.
Overnight: N/A
6h 40m
7h 15m
Cead Mile Failte – Welcome to Ireland! Upon arrival into Dublin, collect your luggage, pass through passport and customs control, then walk to the Arrivals Hall where you will meet your tour guide and driver. Depending on your arrival time, check into your hotel. We will begin our adventure with a panoramic tour of the city on both sides of the River Liffey, where we pass by Phoenix Park, the largest city park in Europe. On the other side of the river are Georgian squares characterized by colourful doors, and Trinity College, the oldest university in Ireland. It was founded in 1592 by Elizabeth I.
Time permitting, we will visit the ancient library at Trinity College containing over 20,000 manuscripts, among which is the famous illuminated Gospel manuscript: the Book of Kells or this visit can be done on the following morning, dependant on the time of arrival. We will celebrate Mass and have dinner before our overnight stay in Dublin.
Overnight: Dublin (Dinner*)
Today we will travel through the beautiful mountains of Wicklow, also known as the “Garden of Ireland,” until we reach Glendalough.
This ancient monastic city, established in the 6th century by St. Kevin, is in the heart of “the valley of the two lakes.” It was a very important center of learning, as well as a pilgrimage destination. There are many legends regarding St. Kevin and he is often compared to St. Francis of Assisi. See an Irish round tower, the ruins of St. Peter and St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the quaint St. Kevin’s Church which is surrounded by an old cemetery. Visit to Glendalough Visitor Centre.
The tour continues in the direction of Baltinglass where we will come upon the ruins of a Cistercian Abbey. We will then pass by Castledermot, where we set our eyes upon the remains of a Franciscan Abbey. We will finish our day in Tipperary for dinner and an overnight stay.
Overnight: Tipperary (Breakfast, Dinner)
Today in Tipperary we will see 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 site in Ireland. The Rock of Cashel used to be the seat of the High Kings of Munster. The Cathedral, the Round Tower, and the Cormac Chapel (which was the first Irish Romanesque church) testify to the significance of this site. Celebrate Mass en route. Our journey continues towards Killarney for dinner and an overnight stay.
Overnight: Killarney (Breakfast, Dinner)
This morning, we will behold Dingle, the most northern of the Kerry peninsulas. This gorgeous taste of Irish landscape looks like it is straight out of the pages of a storybook. In Early Christian Irish monks were looking for isolated places to live, such as Gallarus Oratory on the peninsula.
This oratory, which used to be a sacred place of prayer for monks, dates back to the 9th century and is excellently preserved. We will visit the town of Inch, where David Lean shot the movie “Ryan’s Daughter.” Inch is the last part of the country where the Gaelic language is commonly spoken!
We will continue venturing along the Eagle Mount and the cliffs of Slea Head. Our next stop is the Kilmalkedar Church, built in the 12th century as a part of a complex of religious buildings in the Romanesque style. Celebrate Mass en route. We will return to Killarney at the end of a lovely day for dinner and an overnight stay.
Overnight: Killarney (Breakfast, Dinner)
After a good Irish breakfast, we will be heading north through Listowel and boarding a ferry at Killarney to cross the Shannon estuary. We will arrive at County Clare, where we will encounter the mystical Cliffs of Moher. The cliffs of Moher rise up to 390 feet above the Atlantic Ocean and allure their many visitors with their beauty. We will move on to Galway, a city that has kept its medieval charm with its colourful streets and authentic pubs.
The coastal road from the Cliffs of Moher travels along the blue Galway Bay, with a natural rocky landscape on the other side. Celebrate Mass en route. We will enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in Galway.
Overnight: Galway (Breakfast, Dinner)
After Breakfast, concelebrate Mass in Galway. Afterwards, we will enjoy a cruise on Corrib Lake, which is the largest lake in the Republic of Ireland! It is also the best way to appreciate Galway and its surroundings. We will also visit Clonmacnoise Abbey, which is Ireland’s most important monastic site, overlooking the River Shannon. This site was founded by St. Ciaran in the 6th century and consists of a grass field containing numerous early churches, high crosses, round towers, and graves. We will complete our day with dinner and an overnight stay in Galway.
Overnight: Galway (Breakfast, Dinner)
This morning, we will direct our pilgrimage to one of the world’s leading Marian shrines, situated in the plains of East Mayo. On August 21, 1879, fifteen men, women, and children witnessed an apparition of Mary. The silent apparition lasted two hours, including more than only Our Lady of Knock. The vision was of a lamb and a cross above an altar, with St. John the Apostle, Mary, and Joseph to the left. The apparition is rich in symbolism and is venerated internationally.
Celebrate Mass in the Apparition Chapel. Following Mass, you will have time for private meditation on the mystery of the apparition’s message. Next, you will have free time for lunch and shopping on your own. Late afternoon, check-in at the hotel in Knock for dinner and an overnight stay.
Overnight: Knock (Breakfast, Dinner)
Today as we leave Knock, we will enjoy plenty of breathtaking scenery while traveling to Dublin. We will arrive in Dublin to visit the National Museum, situated in the heart of the city. Its collection of golden prehistoric jewellery is without a doubt some of the most stunning in Europe. The museum is also home to a vast collection of Celtic finery, as well as numerous early Christian artifacts and incredible relics.
Visit to St Patrick’s Cathedral which is one of Dublin’s most visited landmarks founded in 1191, its history stretches back to 450 AD. Its stands today as one of the few surviving medieval buildings in the city and is the burial place of Jonathan Swift. There will be some free time for lunch and relaxation later in the day. In the evening, we will have a final dinner before retiring for our last overnight stay in Ireland.
Overnight: Dublin (Breakfast, Dinner)
Following breakfast, we will board our bus that will bring us to Dublin Airport for our return flights home. We will bid farewell to our new friends and to a pilgrimage which will be in our memories and hearts for a long time to come.
Overnight: N/A (Breakfast*)