2018 Highlights of Christian Ireland Tour
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ITINERARY
Day 1, September 26th: Arrival in Belfast
Arrive 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. HOTEL: Four Star Accommodations |
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Day 2, September 27th
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: Three Star Accommodations |
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Day 3, September 28th
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 and give allowance for our guests to explore the famous Whiskey Street, traditional Irish music venues and other eateries in this eclectic city. HOTEL: Three Star Accommodations |
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Day 4, September 29th
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. HOTEL: Four Star Accommodations |
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Day 5, September 30th
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 is on your own in beautiful Killarney. |
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Day 6, October 1st
After an early breakfast, we will set out today to travel the south of the Emerald Isle as we head towards Cork. 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 will then drive to Dublin, the capital and largest city in Ireland. HOTEL: Three Star Accommodations |
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Day 7, October 2nd
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. Tonight you are on your own for a fabulous dining experience in Dublin. |
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Day 8, October 3rd
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: Four Star Accommodations |
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Day 9, October 4th
After a full breakfast, our Sovereign Guardian Angels will assist with your transfers to Belfast International Airport. OPTIONAL BELFAST EXTENSIONS MEALS: B |
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Please Note: Itinerary and speakers are subject to modification without notice. 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 8 years of age with at least one accompanying adult. We apologize that children under the age of 8 years of age cannot participate in the tour. |