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Tour 217

Scotland & Ireland Pilgrimage

14 days

Tour 217

Scotland & Ireland Pilgrimage

14 days

Edinburgh · Glasgow · Dublin · Tipperary · Killarney · Galway · Knock · Dublin

Edinburgh · Glasgow · Dublin · Tipperary · Killarney · Galway · Knock · Dublin

On this fourteen-day Pilgrimage discover the deep Catholic history of Scotland and Ireland! Begin in Edinburgh with Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Mary’s and a tour of Edinburgh Castle. In St. Andrew’s learn of the life of the Saint who is the namesake of the town and the Patron Saint of the country! See the Carfin Motherwell shrine, modeled after the Grotto at Massabielle in Lourdes. Next, journey to Ireland, beginning in the nation’s capital city of Dublin. Here you will tour historical and cultural sites including St. Patrick’s Cathedral. See the ancient monastic city in Glendalough and learn of St. Kevin’s life and ministry. Marvel at sites like the Rock of Cashel, St. Patrick’s Cross, Gallarus Orator, Kilmalkedar Church, Clonmacnoise, and the Cliffs of Moher. Visit one of the world’s leading Marian Shrines, Our Lady of Knock, where the Blessed Mother appeared in 1879. This pilgrimage boasts much Scottish and Irish culture, explores medieval Catholic roots, and offers a unique opportunity to deepen your faith!

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Additional information
Terms & Conditions

Your trip includes

Centrally located hotels or similar
Mercure Edinburgh Haymarket Hotel
Edinburgh, Scotland
Maldron Hotel Glasgow City
Glasgow, UK
Trinity Capital Hotel
Dublin, Ireland
Hotel Minella & Leisure Centre
Tipperary, Ireland
Castlerosse Park Resort Holiday
Killarney, Ireland
Salthill Hotel
Galway, Ireland
Knock House Hotel
Knock, Ireland
Group Size

Group Size may vary between 18 to maximum 33, always
accompanied by a Catholic Priest and Tour Guide throughout.

Not Included
  • Lunches, Tips to your guide & driver, Items of a personal nature.
Optional
Travel Protection

Providing you coverage for situations that may arise during your trip, including medical and dental emergencies, loss of luggage, trip delay, and so much more.

Cancel For Any Reason Waiver

A Cancellation Waiver – allowing you to cancel your trip and receive a refund anytime – up until 48 hours prior to departure.

Itinerary

Day 1: Depart for Scotland

Make your way to your local airport for your overnight flight(s) to Europe. Dinner and breakfast will be served on board.

Day 2: Arrive in Edinburgh

Welcome to Scotland! Upon arrival, collect your luggage and pass through customs to meet your guide or driver in the Arrivals Hall. You will then be escorted to the hotel where you will check in to your rooms. You may have to wait until after 2 PM to check-in. You will have time to relax and get settled before meeting your fellow pilgrims, your tour guide, and your priest. Together we will kick off our pilgrimage with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at a local church. Then we will have dinner and spend our first overnight stay in Edinburgh.

Day 3: Edinburgh

After breakfast, we will begin our day with Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral of St Mary’s. Then we will explore the capital city of Scotland, including a visit to Edinburgh Castle. Over the centuries this historical castle has served as a battleground, a home, an army headquarters, and finally a tourist attraction. We will wander the castle’s grounds to discover the Great Hall, David’s Tower, the Scottish National War Museum, the Queen Anne Building, and the oldest standing building in Edinburgh: St. Margaret’s Chapel. This delightful little piece of Romanesque architecture has withstood numerous destruction attempts, proving God’s protection over the property. The structure dates back to the 12th century when King David I dedicated this chapel to his mother, Saint Margaret of Scotland. The tour will continue to the UNESCO site of Holyroodhouse at the end of the Royal Mile. The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the British monarch’s residence in Scotland. The huge estate contains rich art and architecture – a true highlight of Scottish culture. We will conclude our day with dinner and an overnight stay in Edinburgh.

Day 4: Edinburgh - St. Andrew’s - Perth - Glasgow

Today we will venture through the Scottish countryside on the way to the town of St. Andrew’s. This town in Fife was named after the patron saint of Scotland: the Apostle Andrew. St. Andrew’s Cathedral was the largest in all of Scotland. Though ransacked by Calvinist zealots during the Scottish Reformation, the ruins remain. As the remains of St. Andrew were commonly believed to be buried here, the site became a major shrine for Christians. The “X” shape in which St. Andrew was crucified is a symbol present on the Scottish national flag to remind the country of his martyrdom. The town of St. Andrew’s is also known worldwide as the home of golf. The quiet, non-contact sport is believed to have been invented here in the 15th century. The Old Course, devised in 1754, is still in operation! We will celebrate Mass at the Church of St. James, a small Roman Catholic parish situated on a clifftop overlooking the North Sea. Next, we will continue our journey with a visit to the town of Perth, including Scone Palace, one of the finest examples of Georgian Gothic architecture in the UK. We will proceed to Glasgow for our dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 5: Glasgow - Carfin

This morning we will depart for the small historic mining village of Carfin, north-east of Motherwell. Here we will visit the Carfin Grotto, Scotland’s national Marian shrine. The site was built to resemble the Grotto at Massabielle (Our Lady of Lourdes). Built by unemployed miners of the village, this shrine has been used as a place of procession and prayer since the early part of the 20th century. Before returning to Glasgow for lunch, we will enjoy a walk around Carfin: a town of great significance in the life of Scottish Catholicism. Upon our return to Glasgow, you will have the opportunity to participate in a walking tour of the city before a delicious dinner and our last overnight stay in Scotland.

Day 6: Glasgow - Dublin

Following breakfast, we will bus to Glasgow Airport for our flight to Dublin, Ireland. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your tour guide and/or driver who will take you on 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 colorful doors, and Trinity College, the oldest university in Ireland. The historic place of learning 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. We will celebrate Mass and have dinner before our overnight stay in Dublin.

Day 7: Wicklow - Glendalough - Tipperary

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. You will be taken on a guided tour, in which you will 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. The tour continues to 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.

Day 8: Rock Of Cashel - Kerry County

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. Our journey continues towards Kerry for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 9: Kerry County - Dingle Peninsula

This morning we will behold the Dingle Peninsula, 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 Ireland 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. We will return to Kerry at the end of a lovely day for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 10: Shannon - Cliffs Of Moher - Galway

After a good Irish breakfast, we will be heading north through Listowel and boarding a ferry at Killimer 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 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 colorful 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. We will enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in Galway.

Day 11: Galway - Corrib Lake - Clonmacnoise Abbey

Today 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.

Day 12: Knock

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. The original parish church on the site still stands, but we will celebrate Mass in the bigger church that was built to house the shrine’s many pilgrims. This church was named a basilica by Saint John Paul II when he visited in 1979. 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. We will then depart for the hotel in Knock for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 13: Knock - Dublin

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 jewelry is without a doubt the most stunning in Europe. You will be particularly interested in the Celtic finery, as well as numerous early Christian artifacts and incredible relics. There will be some free time for lunch and relaxation later in the day. In the evening we will have a final delicious dinner before retiring for our last overnight stay in Ireland.

Day 14: Depart Dublin - USA

Following breakfast, we will board our bus that will take us to Dublin Airport for our return flights home. We will bid farewell to our new friends and to a pilgrimage that will be in our memories and hearts for years to come.

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

Why Book “With Airfare” from 206 Tours

Special Clergy Discount

A Clergy Discount is available to all members of “Clergy” within the Catholic Church. This includes Seminarians, Deacons, Brothers and Sisters, Priests, Monsignors, Bishops, Cardinals, and His Holiness.

Click Here to learn more!

Earn a Free Trip

For groups of 20 or more, you may choose your own departure and earn FREE trips.

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$500.00 Deposit is due at the time of Registration

*If within 90 days prior to departure, Full Payment is due at time of Registration.

Would you like to arrive earlier or stay later?

Let us know at the time of registration if you would like to arrive earlier, or stay later, than the scheduled tour dates, and pending availability, we will change your airline reservations accordingly, additional fees may apply. Pre- and/or post-stays at the hotel will cost an additional fee. These options should be available to you when registering online, or simply contact us: sales@206tours.com

About your trip

Scotland

Visit the beautifully Catholic and historically rich country of Scotland. Begin your journey celebrating Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral of St Mary’s in Edinburgh, and continue with the Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Next you’ll see St. Andrew’s, the original home of golf and of the remains of Scotland’s largest cathedral ever. Your trip to Scotland will include Perth and its Scone Palace, two nights in Glasgow, and the country’s national Marian Shrine: the Carfin Grotto.

Ireland

Witness the storybook wonder of the Irish countryside, bodies of water, and stone monasteries. Begin in Dublin to see the Book of Kells at Trinity College, and continue on to learn about St. Kevin in Glendalough. In Kerry you will visit the Rock of Cashel, and you will explore the Dingle Peninsula in Kerry. Your adventure will include the mystical Cliffs of Moher and the beautiful Corrib Lake, and will conclude with a prayerful visit to the shrine of Our Lady of Knock before returning to Dublin.

Options and upgrades

Special Clergy Discount

A Clergy Discount is available to all members of “Clergy” within the Catholic Church. This includes Seminarians, Deacons, Brothers and Sisters, Priests, Monsignors, Bishops, Cardinals, and His Holiness.

Click Here to learn more!

Earn a Free Trip

For groups of 20 or more, you may choose your own departure and earn FREE trips.

Ccontact us

Would you like to arrive earlier or stay later?

Let us know at the time of registration if you would like to arrive earlier, or stay later, than the scheduled tour dates, and pending availability, we will change your airline reservations accordingly, additional fees may apply. Pre- and/or post-stays at the hotel will cost an additional fee. These options should be available to you when registering online, or simply contact us: sales@206tours.com

About your trip

Scotland

Visit the beautifully Catholic and historically rich country of Scotland. Begin your journey celebrating Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral of St Mary’s in Edinburgh, and continue with the Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Next you’ll see St. Andrew’s, the original home of golf and of the remains of Scotland’s largest cathedral ever. Your trip to Scotland will include Perth and its Scone Palace, two nights in Glasgow, and the country’s national Marian Shrine: the Carfin Grotto.

Ireland

Witness the storybook wonder of the Irish countryside, bodies of water, and stone monasteries. Begin in Dublin to see the Book of Kells at Trinity College, and continue on to learn about St. Kevin in Glendalough. In Kerry you will visit the Rock of Cashel, and you will explore the Dingle Peninsula in Kerry. Your adventure will include the mystical Cliffs of Moher and the beautiful Corrib Lake, and will conclude with a prayerful visit to the shrine of Our Lady of Knock before returning to Dublin.

Pilgriamge Information
know before you go to United Kingdom, Ireland

We promise to do all within our power to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have. Please feel free to contact us, please note should any problems arise during your trip you should first contact your local emergency contact in your destination country or the 206 Tours.

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