The Christian Roots of Ireland Tour
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ITINERARY
Day 1, October 8th: Arrival in Belfast
Meet us for dinner and lecture at our Belfast Conference hotel *or* arrival at Belfast International Airport***, where you are met by your Guardian Angel and transferred to your hotel in Belfast. Spend the remainder of the day settling into your hotel and enjoying the beautiful surroundings before attending our dinner and lecture with Ligonier Teaching Fellows. OPTIONAL BELFAST EXTENSIONS HOTEL: Five Star Luxury Accommodations |
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Day 2, October 9th
After enjoying a full breakfast, Sovereign’s Guardian Angels will assist our guests as we depart for an adventurous day to explore the history and legends of St. Patrick and his successors. Travel from Belfast through the north of Ireland to the charming city of Donegal and explore Donegal Castle, the stronghold of the feudal Lord system of Ireland from the 5th century to the 16th century. You will then learn of the great Colm Cille, later known as Saint Columba, who in the 5th century A.D., visited the monastery at Dromyn, near Ardee, County Louth, where Finnian was an abbot. He asked to borrow a book and it was given to him. He would stay behind to copy the book after mass, without Finnian’s knowledge. Finnian demanded the copied illuminated manuscript and copy back, and hence, the first copyright case in recorded history began. In the end, over 3,000 men were slain over the copied manuscript, Colm Cille was exiled to Scotland where he converted the Pict tribes and introduced Christianity to Britain. The “copy” of the manuscript from Colm Cille was used in every major battle between Ireland and Britain until the 18th Century. HOTEL: Five Star Luxury Accommodations |
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Day 3, October 10th
After enjoying a traditional Irish Breakfast, we will depart for the Slieve Leagues and view the highest cliffs in all of Europe from above the clouds. The afternoon is on your own to enjoy the grounds of our resort and to rest before we again gather for dinner and our time of sharing and reflection. HOTEL: Five Star Luxury Accommodations |
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Day 4, October 11th
After enjoying a traditional Irish Breakfast, we will depart for Galway via Sligo and Ben Bulben. It was at the foot of Ben Bulben that nearly three thousand men were slain at the Battle of Cul Dreimhne when Colm Cille and Finnian could not resolve their differences over the Cathac of St. Columba. We will arrive in Galway, enjoy a fabulous dinner and lecture and then give allowance for our guests to explore the famous Whiskey Street traditional Irish music venues. HOTEL: Five Star Luxury Accommodations |
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Day 5, October 12th
Set out today with our drivers to explore Galway and the magnificent Cliffs of Moher. You will pass through the beautiful countryside around Limerick as we arrive this afternoon in beautiful Killarney. After a dinner and lecture, use this opportunity to enjoy the genuine Irish music and pub culture in downtown Killarney. |
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Day 6, October 13th
The Ring of Kerry (or Iveragh Peninsula) is one of the most scenic and best loved coastal drives in Europe and has attracted visitors for hundreds of years. Your driver-guide follows the ragged shoreline, passing beautiful mountain and moorland scenery. An ideal area for outdoor activities and freshwater fishing, the Ring of Kerry offers insight into Ireland's ancient heritage, with its Iron Age forts, ogham stones and old monasteries. Pass Derrynane House, the home of Daniel O’Connell, the "Great Liberator" of Ireland. Muckross House, with gardens and traditional farms, rests on the shores of the Lake of Killarney in the shadow of Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, the highest mountains in Ireland. You will enjoy a relaxed jaunting cart ride through the gardens at Muckross. Tonight, we dine at a traditional Irish meal with a rousing Irish dance show. HOTEL: Five Star Luxury Accommodations |
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Day 7, October 14th
After an early breakfast, we will set out today to travel the south of the Emerald Isle as we head towards our destination of Waterford. We will drop by the famous Blarney Castle where you will have the opportunity to inherit the “gift of gab” by kissing the iconic stone. We then make our way up to Waterford where you will have a special factory tour and the opportunity to purchase the most exclusive crystal in Europe. |
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Day 8, October 15th
After enjoying a continental breakfast, we will drive up through the Wicklow Mountains and discover the charm and beauty of this enchanted area. We will then arrive early in the afternoon into Ireland’s capital city of Dublin and tour St. Patrick’s Cathedral before enjoying a tonight’s dinner and lecture with Ligonier Teaching Fellows. HOTEL: Five Star Luxury Accommodations |
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Day 9, October 16th
After a traditional breakfast and lecture in Dublin, we will explore the greatest collection of ancient manuscripts and artwork in Europe at the Chester Beatty Museum. Discover the most important document in modern western civilization, and be illuminated by the magnificent Book of Kells at Trinity College Library. We will enjoy a brief presentation and a private time with some of the more important manuscripts such as the highly regarded P66 before allowing our guests to have a “night on your own” in Dublin’s exciting culinary scene. HOTEL: Five Star Luxury Accommodations |
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Day 10, October 17th
We depart for Armagh and take time to appreciate the beauty of Northern Ireland along the winding way. Upon arrival in Armagh, we will journey to St. Patrick’s country. Our journey would not be complete without exploring Downpatrick and Armagh. We will take the ferry from the fishing village of Portaferry over to Strangford. Discover the quaint and peaceful Saul Church (the first ecclesiastical site in Ireland), where Saint Patrick began his crusade to convert the Irish. Three miles from Saul is the magnificent Down Cathedral, where Saint Patrick is buried. Other sites of interest include: The Ruins of St. Tassach’s church (near Raholp), where Saint Patrick was given the last rites, or the holy wells at Struell (Ireland’s first), where Patrick is said to have sung psalms. HOTEL: Five Star Luxury Accommodations |
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Day 11, October 18th
After a full breakfast, our Sovereign Guardian Angels will assist with your luxury limousine transfers to Belfast International Airport. MEALS: B |
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Please Note: Itinerary and speakers are subject to modification without notice. ***Airport arrival in Ireland is subject to change To fully participate in this tour, you must be able to walk long distances, have good balance capabilities and be able to walk on uneven terrain. There will also be some climbing involved as well as long periods of standing. Due to the historical nature of some of our destinations, not all facilities will be ADA compliant. Parents are welcomed to register children above 16 years of age with at least one accompanying adult. We apologize that children under the age of 16 years of age cannot participate in the tour. |