Irish Faith and History (11 Days) 

     Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

     Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax in the Irish capital. Before dinner, join your Tour Director and traveling companions for a toast to happy touring. (D)

     An orientation drive in the “Fair City” includes visits to OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH on Sean McDermott Street, which contains the tomb of Venerable Matt Talbot. Next, visit ST. PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL. Then a visit to Oscar Wilde’s TRINITY COLLEGE, famous for the 1,200-year-old Book of Kells and the magnificent Old Library. Balance of the day is at leisure. (FB)

     Head for dairy farm country in the center of the “Emerald Isle” before arriving in Knock, where the Virgin Mary appeared to the townsfolk in 1879 and today attracts pilgrims from around the world. Visit KNOCK SHRINE, the CHURCH OF THE APPARITION, the BASILICA, and the FOLK MUSEUM. Maybe join the evening rosary processions. (FB,D)

     This morning, visit the CROAGH PATRICK VISITOR CENTRE at the foot of St. Patrick’s Holy Mountain in Murrisk. Afterwards, visit KYLEMORE ABBEY, the massive yet graceful castle acquired by Benedictine nuns as a precious heirloom for Ireland. Arrive in the port city of Galway where you will spend the next two nights. Tonight’s recommendation: join your Tour Director for an optional evening at Dunguaire Castle, where the intimate banquet has an enlightening literary theme. (FB)

     At Rossaveal, board a comfortable, modern FERRY for the 45-minute crossing to Kilronan on Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands and where Gaelic is the first language of the islanders. Many Catholics fled to this island during Oliver Cromwell’s conquest of Ireland during the mid-17th century. In these harsh conditions, they developed a strong self sufficiency in order to survive. Your fascinating day continues with a visit to the ARAN HERITAGE CENTRE, and after a lunch break, board a minibus to enjoy local commentary on a tour of the island, ending with a visit to clifftop DUN AENGUS, one of the most spectacular and dramatic prehistoric stone forts in Europe. After a stop at the VISITOR CENTRE, there is time to shop for unique hand-knitted Aran sweaters before boarding your ferry back to the mainland. There are plenty of dining options in Galway this evening. (FB)

     Take the scenic route across The Burren with photo opportunities. At Kilfenora, visit THE BURREN CENTRE. The newly restored ancient cathedral and Celtic crosses form an important center of early Christianity. Continue across The Burren for a visit to Bunratty. Lots to see and do here: visit the castle; stroll in the folk park which depicts Irish life in the early 1900s; browse the complex of smart shops; or try a refreshment in famous Durty Nelly’s Irish pub. Skirt the metropolis of Limerick and continue south via quaint Adare with its thatched cottages to the popular resort of Killarney, your destination for the next two nights. (FB,D)

     Join the famed “Ring of Kerry” for a 100-mile panoramic drive around the island’s southwestern tip. Have your camera ready to snap photos of the spectacular scenery that includes both land and sea. In Killarney, enjoy a fun HORSE-DRAWN CAR RIDE through the National Park with beautiful vistas of the Lakes of Killarney and ancient Ross Castle. (FB)

     Cross the Kerry Mountains and drive into County Cork for a visit to the Blarney, renowned for its castle and magical Kissing Stone. Time for lunch, to walk up to the castle, and to shop for traditional Irish handicrafts. In the afternoon, proceed via Cork, Youghal, and Dungarven to Waterford, a stronghold founded by the Danish Vikings in 853. Here, enjoy a visit to the world-famous WATERFORD CRYSTAL FACTORY. (FB,D)

     Today, visit Enniscorthy, site of the final battle of the Great Rebellion of 1798, and Ireland’s oldest HANDWEAVING MILL at Avoca. Take in views of the Wicklow Mountians on your way to the Glendalough VISITOR CENTER with its fascinating audiovisual show “Ireland of the Monasteries.” Your Local Guide will explain the ruins of one of the centers of Irish Celtic Christianity founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century and later destroyed by English troops in 1398. Back in Dublin your Tour Director will have dining suggestions for this evening. (FB)

     Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (FB)