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"I just wanted to drop you a note
telling you how much I thoroughly enjoyed the trip. Everything went better than I ever
imagined. No glitches, no hitches, just a perfectly flowing trip. Our tour
guide was just awesome too! His attention to the little
details and facts of Ireland were what made his commentary such a
pleasure to listen to. I couldn't have asked for a better vacation and
Prime deserves a round of applause." -- M.R.
 To
book any of our tours on-line, simply click the blue
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We'll confirm your reservation by phone or e-mail within 24 hours. You can also call us
with
questions or to book at 614-766-5553.
Ireland
Spiritual Tour Itinerary
DAY
1:
Departure from USA with dinner and breakfast served during the overseas flight.
DAY 2: Arrive in Ireland, where you are met by your guide to board the coach. For
groups arriving in Shannon, we'll drive to Westport via the CLIFFS
OF MOHER and the BURREN to
Westport.
See
the famous, towering CLIFFS OF MOHER,
one of Ireland's most spectacular sights. Standing 700 feet above the Atlantic
Ocean at their highest point and stretching along the rugged coastline, the
Cliffs boast one of the most amazing views in Ireland. On a clear day, the Aran
Islands are visible in Galway Bay as well as the valleys and hills of Connemara. Then
travel through the magnificent landscape of the BURREN.
This fascinating lunar-like landscape is an area of sedimentary limestone and
shell. The unusual geological formation has produced an astonishing botanic
variety harboring some 2000 species of rare plants and flowers, some unique to
the Burren. Overnight and Welcome Dinner in the heart of the town square, or in the case of
the charming city of Westport, the Octogon. (D)
DAY
3: CONNEMARA: We'll have a full day tour of this wild and wonderful region populated largely by sheep and
dotted with hundreds of small lakes. The
stone walls, tiny farms, isolated thatched cottages and heather covered hills
are bounded by a sea coastline with many quiet sandy beaches.
Many locals still speak Gaelic and ancient Celtic traditions and customs
have been preserved.
CROAGH PATRICK,
Ireland’s holy mountain is renowned for Pilgrimages in honor of Saint Patrick.
It was on the summit of the mountain that Patrick fasted for forty days in 441
AD and the custom has been faithfully handed down from generation to
generation. You can walk up to the statue at the base of the mountain. Click
here to see J. Michael Finn's excellent article about Crough Patrick in the
Irish American News. Drive to
the picturesque village of Leenane on the shores of KILLARY
HARBOUR, Ireland’s only
fjord. Visit KYLEMORE ABBEY &
GARDENS, a Victorian Castle in Tudor Style, beautifully situated on the
shores of a lake and surrounded by the Twelve Bens – an impressive mountain
range. This is one of the most photographed sites in Ireland. Continue
to GALWAY CITY, on the west coast of Ireland and by River Corrib. Enjoy
a guided walk through this young and vibrant place, yet filled with history.
See Galway’s Cathedral beautifully situated at the Salmon Weir Bridge, the
Lynch House, Spanish Arch and Eyre Square. On the way back to our
hotel, we'll stop at the village of Cong, where the movie The Quiet Man,
starring John Wayne, was filmed. We return to our hotel in
Westport. (B)
DAY 4: WESTPORT- CABRA
After breakfast at the hotel, we leave Westport and travel through the
heart of Ireland to Kingscourt in County Cavan. En route we visit the town of KNOCK,
home of Ireland’s most famous Marian shrine. The
Story of Knock began on the
21st August 1879 when Our Lady, St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist appeared
at the south gable of Knock Parish Church. The apparition was witnessed by
fifteen people, young and old. From this miraculous Apparition Knock has grown
to the status of an internationally recognized Marian Shrine. The personal pilgrimage of Pope John Paul II in 1979, commemorating the
centenary of the apparition, inspired an even greater devotion to the Shrine
and endorsed the indelible seal of Vatican approval. Mother Teresa of Calcutta
visited the Shrine in June of 1993. One and a half million pilgrims visit the
Shrine annually.
Check
into our royal home for the night, Castle Cabra outside the town of Kingscourt.
The castle's history dates
back to 1760, and we'll have our royal dinner tonight in the castle. (B,D)
DAY 5: Depart
from our castle and
visit the famous Boyne Valley, one of Ireland's most historic areas. We will also visit HILL OF TARA, ancient seat of the High Kings of
Ireland. We make a stop at MONASTERBOICE,
the secluded and mysterious remains of a monastic settlement founded at the end
of the 5th century. Surrounded by the old graveyard, we'll explore the remains
of two churches, a round tower, three of Ireland's finest sculptured
high crosses and a sundial. You will get a sense of the
lives of those who were among the first in Ireland spreading Christianity
following St. Patrick.
We
now arrive in Dublin for a panoramic city tour that includes the famous
Georgian quarter with some of the
loveliest 18th Century streets, squares, and the
famous colorful doors. In
the afternoon, see where Ireland’s national drink is made at THE GUINNESS
STOREHOUSE. The Storehouse offers a unique experience where the visitor
learns what goes into making a pint of Guinness. Glass walled elevators whisk
you from floor to floor, through a fascinating exhibition that uses words,
music, images, sounds and smells to bring to life the rich splendor of the
Guinness story, including its charming and amusing advertising campaigns. By
pulling down as many separating walls as possible, the shell of the interior
has been exposed, and rising through the middle of it are a series of rounded
balconies that form the shape of a mighty pint. The best part of the visit is
always the tasting - the lift passes through the ceiling to deposit you in the
breathtaking view of the Gravity Bar, the highest bar in Dublin, which gives a
360 degree view across Dublin and its surroundings.
Transfer
to our hotel in the heart of the city. Overnight in Dublin
DAY
6: AT LEISURE
IN DUBLIN OR TAKE
AN OPTIONAL EXCURSION TO WICKLOW
FOR JUST $79.
This morning you may choose to travel to County Wicklow popularly known
as the ‘Garden of Ireland’ and said to be a microcosm of Ireland.
 Here
you visit the magnificent POWERSCOURT GARDENS. The gardens,
which were begun in the 1740’s, stretch over 45 acres. Its design reflects
the desire to create a garden, which was part of the wider landscape. They are
a sublime blend of formal gardens, sweeping terraces, statuary and ornamental
lakes together with secret hollows. Don’t miss the colorful Japanese Gardens,
the Pepper Pot Tower and the Pet Cemetery. Afterwards enjoy some time in the
terraced café or the shops of the well known Avoca Handweavers within the
Palladian Powerscourt House.
Continue
through the rugged landscape of the Wicklow mountains to GLENDALOUGH –
“The Valley of the Two Lakes”. It was here that St. Kevin founded a
monastery in the 6th century, which became famous as a center of
learning throughout Europe. Indeed, Ireland was known as the “Island of
Saints and Scholars.” The monastic ruins date from the 8th and 12th
centuries with a round tower of over 100 feet. A cathedral, stone churches and
Celtic crosses also survive. Standing amid these remains, one can feel the
powerful sense of peace and tranquility. If you feel energetic enough, take a
stroll around the lake. Return to
Dublin for overnight. (B)
DAY
7: Depending
on the game time, which has not yet been announced, you'll have free time to
explore Dublin before and/or after our transfer to Aviva Stadium for the big Notre Dame vs. Navy game.
Representatives are on hand to assist you in making plans. (We anticipate that
the game will be in late afternoon or evening Ireland time.) Overnight in Dublin.
(B)
DAY
8: DUBLIN AIRPORT
TRANSFERS: Have
a relaxing flight back to the U.S. and your home city. Thank you for joining us
in Ireland on this special tour.
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