Depart the USA today on board our overnight transatlantic flights to Dublin (DUB) arriving the following day. Enjoy a full meal service as well as in-flight entertainment.

Welcome to the Emerald Isle, the “land of saints and scholars!” Upon our arrival at the Dublin Airport (DUB) we will go through passport control, gather our luggage, and continue to the arrivals hall to meet our pilgrimage guide. We will then be escorted to our deluxe motorcoach for our transfer to our hotel in the city. After storing our luggage at the hotel, we will depart for a walking orientation tour of Dublin. We will walk down the historic O’Connell street, stopping for an exterior view of the General Post Office (GPO), well known as the stronghold of the 1916 rising against British rule. We continue on to St. Teresa's Discalced Carmelite Church where we will celebrate our welcome Mass. Following Mass, we will pass by the iconic Dublin Castle and the popular Temple Bar district before arriving at Christ Church Cathedral. After exploring the Cathedral, we return back to our hotel to check in, freshen up, and relax before meeting downstairs for a delicious festive group welcome dinner. Overnight in Dublin. (D)

Following breakfast, we will check out of our Dublin hotel and board our motorcoach destined for the International Shrine of Our Lady of Knock. We will stop half-way to stretch our legs at the monastic site of Clonmacnoise. St Ciarán founded this monastery on the banks of the River Shannon in the 6th Century. The monastery flourished and became a great seat of learning, a University of its time with students from all over Europe. The ruins include a cathedral, two round towers, three high crosses, nine churches and over 700 early Christian graves. Following, we will board our motorcoach and continue to Knock. On the evening of the 21st of August 1879, a heavenly apparition occurred at the gable wall of the local parish church when our Lady appeared, in the company of St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist. Unique to the Knock apparition was the presence of the Eucharistic Lamb in front of a cross, standing upon an altar and surrounded by angels. The apparition lasted for about two hours and 15 official witnesses gave their testimonies to a commission of enquiry in October of that year. Upon our arrival, we will drop off our luggage at our hotel and make our way to the shrine's cafe for lunch. Following lunch, pilgrims will be invited to explore the Shrine Museum prior to gathering back together for a guided tour of the campus. Our tour will culminate at the very spot where the apparition took place. We will have the blessed opportunity to celebrate Mass here. Following Mass, pilgrims are free to explore the grounds at their leisure. You can visit the fantastic book and gift shop, pray the stations of the cross, and make a visit to the basilica, all before returning back to the hotel for dinner on your own. Overnight in Knock. (B)

After breakfast and hotel check-out, we will walk to the shrine Basilica for morning Mass. Following Mass, we will board our motorcoach destined for Galway. Upon arrival, we will visit the Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St. Nicholas, commonly referred to as Galway Cathedral. This cathedral was built between 1958-1965 using funds from Irish Catholics from Boston and is designated as the last great stone cathedral to be built in Europe. Afterwards, we will check into our hotel and venture into the city center for lunch. Enjoy free time for the rest of the afternoon and evening in the musical streets of Galway, full of shops, pubs, and winding streets. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Galway. (B)

Following breakfast, we begin our journey to Kylemore Abbey and their romantic Victorian Walled Gardens and Gothic Chapel. Upon our arrival at Kylemore, we will join the Benedictine sisters for Sunday Mass in their private chapel. After Mass, we will have lunch in the café and following, a private tour of the grounds and Abbey. The afternoon will be free for pilgrims to explore the grounds and the Victorian Walled Gardens, the Connemara ponies, and simply take in the breathtaking views of the mountains and water that surrounds us. After an inspiring day at Kylemore, we board our motorcoach and make our way to our hotel in Galway. On our way, we will take the scenic route through the Connemara National Park, taking in the mountainous beauty of this region. Upon our return, we will gather together for a delicious group dinner at one of our favorite local restaurants in the city. Overnight in Galway. (B, D)

Following a delicious Irish breakfast, we will take a short walk to the Killarney Franciscan Friary (OFM) for Sunday Mass. Following Mass, we will board our motorcoach and begin the scenic journey around the famous Ring of Kerry. Some of our stops will include the Kerry Bog Village Museum, the Red Fox Inn, Cahersiveen and the Daniel O'Connell Memorial Church, Waterville (Charlie Chaplain's favorite holiday village), lunch at the Scarriff Inn (not included), the charming village of Sneem, the breathtaking Moll's Gap and Ladies' View, culminating in the Killarney National Park. We return to Killarney for a second night of local food, drink, and music! Dinner on our own to explore different options. Overnight in Killarney. (B)

After breakfast and Mass, we will check out of our hotel and make our way to the Rock of Cashel, originally the seat of the kings of Munster. According to tradition, St. Patrick himself came here to convert King Aengus to Christianity. Brian Boru was crowned High King at Cashel in 978 and made it his capital. After lunch in Cashel, we make our way to Kilkenny Castle. One of the most instantly recognised buildings in Ireland, Kilkenny Castle has been an important site since it was built by the Anglo-Normans in the 12th century. The castle was remodeled in Victorian times and set in extensive parklands which was the principal seat of the Butler family, Marquesses and Dukes of Ormonde. Following a guided tour of the castle, we will check into our hotel and enjoy free time to explore the charming city with dinner on our own. Overnight in Kilkenny. (B)

Following breakfast, hotel check out, and Mass, we depart Kilkenny and make our way to the stunning glaciated valley in County Wicklow where in the sixth century, one of Ireland’s most revered saints founded a monastery. The foundation of St. Kevin at Glendalough became one of the most famous religious centers in Europe. The remains of this monastic city, which are dotted across the glen, include a superb round tower, numerous medieval stone churches and some decorated crosses. After a guided tour of the monastic site, we will board our motorcoach and journey to Dublin passing through the breathtaking Wicklow Mountains National Park. After checking in at the hotel, the rest of the afternoon is scheduled free time. Pilgrims get the chance to pick and choose what sites interest them individually and explore Dublin at their own pace. Some of the most popular sites include the National Gallery of Ireland, the GPO Museum, Guinness Storehouse, Trinity College Old Library & the Book of Kells, Jameson Distillery Bow St. Tour & Tasting, Dublin Castle, and Kilmainham Gaol (prison). We will gather together this evening for a festive farewell dinner (included) at our hotel. Overnight in Dublin. (B, D)

After an early breakfast and with warm memories of our time in Ireland, we will check out of our hotel and board our bus for our group transfer to Dublin Airport. (B)