Itinerary Sacred Sites of Ireland June 25th - July 6th 2011 (12 days)

June 25th - Saturday - Day 1

After passing through immigration in Dublin, at 9:00 AM we begin our adventure. First, travel a short distance to the center of Dublin, where we discover the charm of the city as we embark on a brief walking tour. We will visit the many historical sites including Christ Church Cathedral, National Museum of Ireland, and Trinity College, home of the "Book of Kells." We may also explore the many shops in Dublin, take time for afternoon tea, or frequent one of the many pubs. Then enjoy country hospitality when we arrive at our hotel. There, we are served a delightful meal in a quiet, peaceful atmosphere, retiring early to relax and refresh yourself after your long journey.

Overnight at the Newgrange Hotel.

June 26th - Sunday - Day 2:

Today we experience The Boyne Valley. We will visit three ancient temples. These sites are older than the pyramids of Egypt and their uniqueness will astound you. Each temple was carefully built to be aligned to the sun. Some believe these are remnants of the Atlantian civilization.

At Newgrange we view the enormous stones etched with ancient art that surround the temple. As we enter the temple, we experience its energy as the ancients did before us. On winter solstice the sun rises in perfect alignment, casting a beam of light down the center of the temple.

Next, we travel on to Knowth which consists of one large temple surrounded by more than eighteen satellite structures believed to be tombs. Ancient kings once ruled from this site.

Later, we visit Dowth the third of the great temples. This one honors the goddess, since Dowth's alignment with the setting sun at Winter Solstice places it at the end of the sun cycle taking it into the womb of Ireland believed to be female.

Visiting these three sites show two different concepts of restoration and one that has yet to be restored.

Tonight we take pleasure in a typical Irish meal and join in the friendly atmosphere.

We return to our hotel in Navan for dinner.  Overnight at the Newgrange Hotel.

June 27th - Monday - Day 3:

Today, we visit the magnificent Cairns of Loughcrew, also known as Slive Na Callaigh or the Hill of the Witch. The central and biggest Cairn is known as Cairn T. The largest kerbstones are near the entrance to the tomb. A large stone in the northern part of the kerb is known by three names, 'Chair of the Witch', 'the Chair of Queen Tailtiu' and 'Queen Maeve'.

In the afternoon, we visit Tara, one of the most venerated places in early Ireland. Tara is one of the largest Celtic monuments in Europe. In ancient Celtic spirituality and mythology, Tara was revered as a dwelling place of the gods.

We will have time to visit a Tara gift shop, featuring all things Celtic. There you can partake in afternoon tea. That evening, we return to Dublin where we enjoy a beautiful dinner and a traditional Irish Cabaret with new and old friends.

We stay for 2 nights in our hotel in Dublin.  Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel.

June 28th - Tuesday - Day 4:

The little people are sure to touch our hearts in Glendalough. Here, we will be enchanted by feelings of joy, love, and peace as we walk the well-traveled and the less traveled paths through this ancient monastery. This exceptional place, Glen of the Two Lakes, is the only surviving example of an entrance to an early Irish monastery and university. As we stroll through this ancient Celtic spiritual power site, we will be encouraged to take in the calmness and natural beauty. Here we can take part in a local custom. Tie your wish on the tree at the holy well and become part of the landscape.

As we walk through this picturesque valley, we will encounter Trinity Church, Saint Mary's Church, Reffert Church, the Green Road, lakes, streams and Saint Kevin's Cell.

In the late afternoon, you bid farewell to Glendalough and travel to our hotel in Dublin for dinner.  Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel.

June 29th - Wednesday - Day 5:

We say goodbye to Dublin and head south to Limerick where adventure awaits us as we discover the beautiful settlement of Lough Gur with its megalithic tomb and stone circles. Legend has it that Lough Gur was formed by the Goddess Aine who appears here in different forms as a mermaid, a young woman, and a hag. As a mermaid, she rises from her traditional home beneath the sacred waters of the lake. As a maiden, she empowers the land's human custodians and as a hag she defends her realm.

This afternoon we travel to Killarney where we will stay for two nights at the Dromhall Hotel.

June 30th - Thursday - Day 6:

At Muckross House we will view the house and the gardens and have lunch. You may choose to rent a jaunting car and journey back in time as you explore the mystical grounds, waterfall, and magical forest. Some have reported seeing a leprechaun or two.

Later that day, we will wander through an ancient abbey and view the Yew tree growing in the center courtyard. We continue to explore Killarney and its lakes.

For those of you interested in ghosts you can visit Ross Castle.

In the late afternoon we return to our hotel, where we have time to put our feet up in preparation for dinner.  Overnight at Dromhall Hotel.

July 1st - Friday - Day 7:

As our journey continues we visit the Dingal peninsula and the mystical Gallarus Oratory with its inscribed stone. It is one of the finest examples of an early Christian church. The small oratory was built of large cut stones neatly fitted together to resemble an upturned boat. Later, we experience Kilmalkedar Church and Cross, Ogham Stone, Alphabet Stone, Sundial and Saint Brendan's House. The early history of the site is associated with Saint Maolcethair who died in 636 AD. It is also the starting point of 'the Way of the Saints', which takes you to the top of Mount Brandon along the old pilgrims' path. We visit ancient Beehive Huts and experience how ancient communities lived.

We overnight in Portmagee where we enjoy a fun filled evening with a wonderful dinner and music to wrap up your day.  Overnight at The Moorings.

July 2nd - Saturday - Day 8:

Today is not for the faint of heart! We travel by boat to the breathtaking sanctuary of Skellig Michael located 8 miles off the southwest coast of Ireland. You may choose to climb the 620 steps to the top to view the monastic remains and beehive huts used as living quarters and community buildings. Saint Michael's Church and a small area known as The Monk's Garden are situated on a series of panoramic terraces. If you choose to make the trek you are rewarded with breathtaking views. . In the afternoon we return to Portmagee for an Irish lunch at the Moorings.(weather permitting)

Later in the afternoon we travel to Kenmare to explore its stone circle and holy well. Here, you can take part in a ritual, getting in touch with the past. Experience these stones as our ancestors may have done thousands of years before us.

Later, we travel to our hotel in the exquisite seaside town of Glengarriff where we take in the local color, spend two nights, do some fine dining and listen to traditional Irish music.  Overnight at Glengarriff Park Hotel.

July 3rd – Sunday - Day 9:

We experience the exquisite seaside town of Glengarriff where we take in the local color, Garnish Island, a subtropical paradise, a remarkable place on a 37 acre island reachable only by boat from the village of Glengarriff. The gardens were created in 1911 and are the joint work of John Bryce, then owner of the island and Harold Peto, architect and garden designer. The signature area of the garden is undoubtedly the Italian Casita, overlooking a formal pool in an area lushly planted with fuchsias, camellias, myrtles and scented rhododendrons.

Today, we journey to the enchanting valley of Gougane Barra, Saint Finbarr's first settlement on the shores of a beautiful lake. We visit the oratory; walk the grounds of the old monastery feeling its energies and sacredness.

Overnight in Glengarriff at Glengarriff Park Hotel.

July 4th - Monday - Day 10:

Today, we travel to the Drombeg stone circle known as the ‘Druid's Altar'. For 3 days, starting at Winter Solstice, the sun disappears behind the hill on the horizon and then reappears in the lower valley. At the point of reappearance, the stone circle is dramatically illuminated.
Remember, don’t sit on a Druid altar unless you can handle the vibrations!

Next, we travel to Blarney where you settle into your hotel or shop at the Blarney Woollen Mills. You may visit Blarney Castle and optionally kiss the Blarney Stone.  Overnight at Blarney Woollen Mills Hotel.

July 5th – Tuesday - Day 11:

Today, you experience the beauty of Blarney and its ancient Druid heritage. In Rock Close ask the giant Dolmen if it still rocks. Maneuver the Wishing Steps and have your dream come true. Experience the sacredness at the altar of the Druids or stand in their ancient circle. Will we see the Witch as she pokes the ashes of her kitchen fire? Are there fairies at the bottom of the garden? We can of course just simply marvel at the unrivaled beauty that Mother Nature so generously sets before us.

At noon we say goodbye to Blarney and travel to Kildare. There, we visit the flame of Saint Brigid. Her flame burned for over a thousand years prior to the English reformation. The flame was rekindled in 1993 by the Brigidine sisters. Saint Brigid is believed to have been a Druidic priestess who converted to Christianity.

People who visit the holy well often tell stories of miraculous healings and divine inspiration.

As our journey comes to a close, we travel to our hotel at Dublin Airport for an Irish farewell dinner and overnight at Radisson Blu Hotel.

July 6th - Wednesday - Day 12:

We say our farewells and depart for home grateful for all that we encountered and experienced.

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Purchase: 12 Day Tour June 25th - July 6th 2011

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