Upon arrival in Dublin, we’ll enjoy a tour of Ireland’s capital. We will begin with a main thoroughfare of O’Connell Street. We’ll see the General Post Office (GPO), the Custom House, and Phoenix Park. This part of the city is also dominated by Trinity College, home to the Book of Kells, a splendidly illuminated version of the Christian Gospels. We’ll also explore Christchurch Cathedral, site of Dublin’s first wooden church. We’ll have ample time this afternoon to further explore the city before checking into our hotel and enjoying a special Welcome Dinner and an overnight stay.
Overnight: Dublin (Dinner*) 

After a delicious Irish breakfast, our group will depart Dublin and begin our journey to Cork. Our first stop, roughly an hour’s drive outside of Dublin, will be to the town of Kildare. There, we will celebrate a special Mass at the Cathedral of St. Brigid followed by some added time for prayer and reflection. Continuing our journey, our next stop is for a tour of the famous Rock of Cashel. Perhaps boasting the most impressive collection of Medieval structures in all of Ireland, the Rock of Cashel has remained a focal point of Irish history since its beginnings in the 5th century AD. Our tour complete, we finish the last leg of our drive as we arrive in Cork to close the day. After checking into our hotel, the group will enjoy a lovely meal together before retiring for the evening.
Overnight: Cork (Breakfast, Dinner) 

Our day will begin with a tour of beautiful Cork city, a major Irish seaport. Cork, a city with more than 14 centuries of history and culture, is known for its rich agricultural and maritime traditions. Our exploration of Cork will culminate in a visit to the English Market, in operation since 1788, where we will enjoy some free time to have lunch and do some souvenir shopping. Following lunch, we will take a brief drive outside of the city to visit the nearby Blarney Castle. As the name suggests, this well-preserved castle is home to the famous Blarney Stone, a charm that grants all who kiss it the gift of the gab! Now blessed with more eloquent speech, we will return to our hotel and enjoy a free evening. Cork regarded as the foodie capital of Ireland and so we will not lack for choice as we consider where to spend our evenings.
Overnight: Cork (Breakfast) 

Today we depart Cork and travel to County Kerry. Our first detour is to visit Gougane Barra, whose name derives from St. Finbarr. Known for its immense natural beauty, Gougane Barra is home to a picturesque 6th century oratory built to honor St. Finbarr’s communion with God. Continuing our drive, we make another stop in Killarney  to enjoy lunch as well as a visit to Muckross Abbey and Muckross House. The Abbey was founded in 1448 as a Franciscan friary for the Observantine Franciscans and has seen over 500 years of Irish history pass within its walls. Muckross House was built in 1861 to honor the visit of Queen Victoria and has hosted its fair share of illustrious guests over the years. Today, the grounds are maintained as the central fixture of Killarney National Park. With evening approaching, we make our way to the coastal town of Dingle where we will check in to our hotel and enjoy a group dinner.
Overnight: Dingle (Breakfast, Dinner) 

The Dingle Peninsula, famous for its Christian churches and beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean. The road around the peninsula passes through Slieve Mish and allows us to admire Iveragh Peninsula and Rossbeigh Beach. As we drive around the coast to Slea Head, we’ll have a dramatic view of Basket Islands. We will also see in the distance the rocky Skellig islands where the ruins of an early Christian Monastery can be found. We travel to the excavated monastery at Riask and dwellings at Fahan. Finally, we explore the impressive Gallarus Oratory, an early Christian monument built in the shape of an upturned boat and was used as a place for prayer and reflection.
Overnight: Dingle (Breakfast, Dinner) 

Today we travel by car ferry from Tarbert to the Clare shore at Killimer. Our drive along the coast will thrill us as we behold the Cliffs of Moher, which in 2009 were named one of 28 global finalists in the “New Seven Wonders of Nature.”  During our drive, we make a stop at a Holy Well dedicated to St. Brigid, just outside of Liscannor. Here, we are invited to leave a memento, prayer, or other offerings to St. Brigid as well as light a votive candle as we honor the Mother Saint of Ireland. Departing the Well, we then make our way to Galway through the Burren Region stopping at Corcomroe Abbey, once known as "St. Mary of the Fertile Rock" to appreciate its detailed carvings and other rich ornamentation. Corcomroe Abbey lies close to another interesting monastic settlement, a group of three small early Christian Churches which nestle in the pass of Oughtmana and which are dedicated to St. Colman. At the end of a memorable day, we find ourselves in Galway for dinner and an overnight stay.
 Overnight: Galway (Breakfast, Dinner) 

 After breakfast, we check out of our hotel and begin a walking tour of Galway. Points of interest include Lynch’s Castle, St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church, and the Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven. After lunch, we will make the short drive Northwest to the Connemara Region, consisting of a broad peninsula where we’ll first see beautiful Lough Corrib, then proceed westward through Maam Cross to the village Leenane and Kylemore Abbey.  Main areas of interest include the Abbey, the Gothic Church, the Victorian Walled Gardens, and much more. We later continue to the small town of Knock where, on the evening of the 21st of August 1879, a heavenly Apparition occurred at the gable wall of the Parish Church when Our Lady appeared, in the company of St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist. Having checked into our hotel, we gather in the evening to enjoy a group dinner.
Overnight: Knock (Breakfast, Dinner) 

This morning, we celebrate Mass in the magnificent Basilica next to the original church where our Blessed Mother appeared in 1879 and where Pope John Paul II announced that the Church would be known as the Basilica of Our Lady, Queen of Ireland. Afterwards, we are treated to a brief tour of the area’s major sites before breaking for lunch. Following lunch, we are given the balance of the day, now armed with an understanding of the area, to experience Knock to our own individual taste. At the close of the day, our group gathers for dinner at our hotel where we will share stories of our prayerful time in this special place.
Overnight: Knock (Breakfast, Dinner) 

Bidding farewell to Knock, our group begins the journey to Dublin after a filling breakfast. Along the way, we make a special stop near the town of Mullingar to visit St. Brigid’s Well and Shrine. The site is a quiet place, tucked away like the druid groves of ancient Ireland, that will allow our group a final opportunity to honor St. Brigid before we leave Ireland. Our visit to the shrine concluded, we will continue to nearby Mullingar for a noon Mass at the Cathedral of Christ the King followed by free time for lunch. Later, we complete our journey to Dublin where we will check in to our hotel and enjoy a group dinner later in the evening.
Overnight: Dublin (Breakfast, Dinner) 

Following morning Mass, our group will be given the balance of the day to explore Dublin as we each see fit. In the evening, the group will gather at our hotel to transfer to a local restaurant where we will enjoy a Farewell Dinner to celebrate our time together.
Overnight: Dublin (Breakfast, Dinner) 

After enjoying our last Irish breakfast, the group transfers to the Dublin airport to begin our journey home.
Overnight: N/A (Breakfast*)