Depart from your hometown for your overnight flight(s) to Ireland. Meals will be served on board.

Cead Mile Failte – Welcome to Ireland! Upon arrival into Dublin you will be greeted by your tour guide and driver. Start journey to Belfast. En-route visit St Peter’s Church Drogheda. St Peter’s Roman Catholic Church was constructed in 1884 using local limestone. The site previously housed a church built in 1791 and parts of that structure were incorporated into the present building, which boasts an impressive Gothic architectural style. Inside, visitors can view fine sculptures, a spectacular marble high altar and more than 40 stained glass windows. The church is also famous for housing the shrine of St Oliver Plunkett, who is credited with bringing Jesuits to Drogheda. He was hanged for treason in 1681. Pope Paul VI declared him a saint in 1973, and his preserved head forms the centrepiece of the shrine. Upon arrival enjoy a panoramic tour of Belfast. A guided city tour is an excellent way to discover Belfast City. The tour will take in the leaning Albert Memorial Clock tower (Irelands answer to the Tower of Pisa) and the Opera House, which is one of Belfast’s great landmarks. Your tour will pass by the City Hall, the Opera house, The Crown Bar (dates from 1885), Queens University and the Botanic Gardens. Some tours will take in a visit to the Harland and Wolfe Shipyard, where the Titanic was built and launched in 1912. A visit to the Shankill and Falls road will be of interest as it will give the visitor an indication of how life was in Belfast during the troubles. Continue to your hotel and check in. Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Belfast or area.

This morning visit Titanic Belfast. Located in the heart of Belfast, the Titanic Belfast recreates the story of the world’s most famous ship in an iconic, six floor building right beside the historic site of the original ship’s construction. Opened in April 2012 to coincide with the centenary of its launch, the self-guided journey begins on entering the building’s giant atrium, where the visitor is surrounded by the four ‘ship’s hull’ shaped wings which house the Titanic Experience. As you journey through the nine large galleries of the interactive exhibition, you will uncover the true story of the Titanic, from her conception in Belfast in the early 1900’s, through her construction and launch, to her famous maiden voyage and subsequent place in history. Spend the afternoon in Bangor. Group will celebrate Mass at a local church. Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Belfast or area.

This morning journey south to Downpatrick. Visit the Saint Patrick Centre. St Patrick is known worldwide as the patron saint of Ireland and that he is celebrated on the 17th March every year. Now discover the story of St Patrick and his place in Ireland’s history at the St Patrick Centre, located beside Down Cathedral and St Patricks Grave in the Medieval heart of Downpatrick. As the main destination on the Saint Patrick Driving Trail which runs from Armagh to Bangor, the centre welcomes the casual leisure traveller, student groups on educational trips and those with a knowledge of St Patrick that want to explore more detail about his background. It features an interpretative exhibition which tells the fascinating story of Ireland’s Patron Saint. The visit begins with the impressive ‘In the Footsteps of Saint Patrick’ Imax presentation about the life of St Patrick and has aerial video footage of some of the landmark sites in Ireland associated with the Saint. Continue with a visit of Down Cathedral. Down Cathedral overlooking Downpatrick, stands close to what is believed to be the mortal remains of Patrick, the Patron saint of Ireland. Visitor can access the cathedral via gardens at the back of the St Patricks Centre or through English street from the town centre. The Cathedral is impressive inside and has a wonderful organ and a very interesting seating arrangement. Mass at a local church. Continue to Armagh and visit St Patrick’s RC Cathedral St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral is an imposing site, perched on the hilltop in Armagh and dominating its skyline. The church was begun in 1840, but because of the intervening famine years, not completed until 1873. The cathedral was designed and built in Neo Gothic style from pale limestone, with large twin spires dominating the approach up flight after flight of steps. Sculptured statuary forms a unique arch over the main entrance. The sanctuary was modernised in 1981 and has a very distinctive tabernacle holder and crucifix, which appear out of place with the mosaics and statues in the rest of the church. There is a rich Austrian oak woodwork and an Irish granite altar. The painted ceiling is ornate. The walls are painted with rich colours that blend easily with the stained glass windows. Armagh is the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland. Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Armagh or area.

This morning depart Armagh and journey to Knock. On arrival enjoy a tour of Knock Shrine. Today we will visit Knock and the shrine situated in the plains of East Mayo, which is one of the world’s leading Marian shrines. On August 21, 1879 fifteen men, women and children witnessed an Apparition of Mary. We will visit the Basilica, the largest church in Ireland. Knock is a very popular pilgrimage destination, and in 1979 Saint John Paul II visited this holy place. After Mass we will have time for private prayer at the shrine, followed by free time for lunch and shopping on our own. Mass in one of the chapels or churches in Knock. Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Knock or area.

This morning depart Knock and journey to Galway. En-route journey through Connemara and visit Kylemore Abbey Kylemore Abbey is stunningly located in the Kylemore Pass in Connemara. Mitchell Henry built the House in 1868, after having spent his honeymoon in the area. The architecture is best described as neo-gothic and the house still displays all the characteristics of that period. One of Kylemore Abbey’s most famous features is its miniature cathedral, built in 1870 and known locally as the Gothic church. Today, the abbey is home to the Irish order of Benedictine nuns. They established a private school for young girls, which was the renowned Kylemore Abbey International School. The school eventually closed in 2010. Facilities at Kylemore include a visitor centre, an exhibition housed in the main reception rooms of the house and a video which takes the visitor through the history of the house and its occupants. The Gothic church is available to visit and as a venue for choir groups to sing in. If time allows guests can also visit the Kylemore Abbey Victorian Walled Garden was laid out in 1867 and took three years to complete. A bus service provided from the front door of the Abbey directly to the garden and is the only permitted means of access. Mass at a local church or Kylemore Abbey. Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Galway or area.

This morning depart Galway and journey to Dublin. On arrival enjoy a panoramic tour of Dublin. We will have a panoramic city tour on both sides of the River Liffey, where we pass by the General Post Office on the city’s main streets, O’Connell Street, Custom House, and Phoenix Park, the largest city park in Europe. On the other side of the river are Georgian squares characterized by colorful doors, Grafton Street and Trinity College which is the oldest university in Ireland, founded in 1592 by Elizabeth I. Time permitting we visit the ancient library containing over 20,000 manuscripts, among which is the Book of Kells, a manuscript from the 9th-century written by the monks at St. Colombo’s monastery on the island of Iona. Today we will also visit St. Patrick’s Anglican Cathedral, built in 1213. This Gothic Cathedral has a splendid interior, with some beautiful tombs and monuments. The ornate stained glass windows can be found in the Chancel.

Continue with a visit of Trinity College and the Book of Kells. Trinity was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth 1st on grounds confiscated from an Augustinian priory and is the oldest university in Ireland. The Campanile, erected in 1852, was built on what is believed to be the centre of the monastery. Built to further the education of the ruling Anglo-Irish families, restrictions were imposed to prevent Catholic from attending courses. These restrictions were not fully lifted until the 1970’s. Trinity however admitted women in 1902, earlier than most British universities. Most of the main buildings off the main square were built during the Georgian period, some of which replaced older buildings. Within its walls, visitors will be able to admire Parliament Square and its 18th Century edifices. Trinity College has had many famous students such as Jonathan Swift and Samuel Beckett who later became a lecturer in French at the university. The inter-denominational Church is very much worth a visit. Mass at a local church. Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Dublin or area.

Today journey into the Wicklow Mountains and visit 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 centre of learning as well as a pilgrimage destination. There are many legends concerning St. Kevin and he is often compared to St. Francis of Assisi. You will be taken on a guided tour of the site, in which you will see the Round Tower, the ruins of the Cathedral, and “St. Kevin’s Kitchen” that is surrounded by an old cemetery. Mass at a local church. Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Dublin or area.

This morning, we will transfer to Dublin Airport for your return flight(s) home.

*206 Tours Disclaimer:
Though every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, it should be considered as an indication, rather than a contract of places to be visited. Occasionally local religious holidays, national days, weather, traffic conditions and other events may necessitate changes in the sequence of visits or the missing of certain visits.