Mystical Sacred Sites Tour of Ireland

Do you need a change of pace? Come and experience an adventure with Sharon Hooper, creator of the visionary card deck, The Wisdom of Mary Madgalene, Michelle Elhoff internationally recognized professional Trance Voice Channel and founder and director of The Lightweaver, which serves as a gateway to the Fluid Universes of Quantum Consciousness and Finbarr Ross. Finbarr is a ceremonialist, healer and process facilitator of self discovery and spiritual wisdom, a native of the Emerald Isle and your guide on this exciting journey. We will blend old and new together for a balanced vacation.

Experience the perfect mix of the magical, the mystical, the familiar and the uncommon. Re-awaken, as you explore during the day and are delighted with evenings of entertainment shared with old and new friends.

As you travel you will experience Ireland and Scotland, lands rich in beauty, Celtic spirituality, legend and myth. Renowned for their holy places, it is here Druids once taught and the Celtic culture thrived. You will be enchanted by the folklore and fairytales as you discover these beautiful lands.

Octber 8th - Monday - Day 1:
You have an early morning arrival at Dublin Airport, where your coach will be waiting for a 9 AM departure on your sacred adventure. First, you will visit Monasterboice High Crosses with its round tower and churches. This monastery was founded by Saint Buite who died in 521. The High Crosses, with their biblical scenes and Celtic patterns, represent the most readily recognizable artifacts of Celtic Christianity. Monasterboice has a rich history. It was occupied for a time by the Vikings until Dromhnall, King of Tara recaptured it in 968. The monastery functioned until 1122.

Continuing your journey, your next stop is Mellifont Abbey where Saint Malachy of Armagh founded the first Irish Cistercian monastery in 1142. History unfolded here and in 1603 Hugh O'Neill surrendered to the Lord Deputy Mountjoy, the King of England's envoy. Mellifont Abbey was also used as King William's headquarters during the Battle of the Boyne, in 1690. Next you experience Slane Friary, the place where St. Patrick lit the first Pascal fire in Ireland in 433 AD.

October 9th - Tuesday - Day 2:
Today, you visit The Boyne Valley. It houses many of Ireland's megalithic monuments, which have been in existence long before pen was put to parchment detailing Ireland's history. At Newgrange, you view the kerbstones and megalithic art. It is one of the finest passage tombs in Europe, constructed during the Neolithic Age, about 3000 BC. At sunrise on Winter Solstice, the sun shines directly into an opening and down the shaft to the inner chamber.

Next, you travel on to Knowth. Its monuments were constructed around 3300 BC. Knowth consists of one large passage tomb surrounded by more than eighteen satellite tombs. In the 9th and 10th centuries, Knowth was the seat of the Kings of Northern Brega.

Later you visit Dowth, the third of the great passage tombs of the Boyne Valley. Dowth's alignment with the setting sun at Winter Solstice places it at the end of the sun cycle and the beginning of the longest night.

October 10th - Wednesday - Day 3:
Today, you 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. You will have time to visit a Tara gift shop, featuring all things Celtic.

In the afternoon, you journey on to Kildare to visit Saint Brigid's Flame, Holy Well and Cathedral. This is the sanctuary where Brigid found her heaven. She is associated in Irish folklore and literature with the gifts of poetry, healing, and smith craft. Brigid is also identified with nature, fertility and fire. She established her abbey and church in Kildare around 480 AD, on the site now occupied by Saint Brigid's Cathedral. Some scholars suggest that her religious order evolved from Druidic priestesses who converted to Christianity.

October 11th - Thursday - Day 4:
The ‘little people’ are sure to touch your heart in Glendalough. Here, you will be enchanted by feelings of joy and peace as you walk the well-traveled and the less traveled paths through this ancient site. This ‘Glen of the Two Lake’s is the only surviving example of an entrance to an early Irish monastery and university. As you stroll through this ancient power site, you will be encouraged to take in the calmness. Here you can take part in a local custom. Tie your wish on the tree at the holy well and become part of the landscape.

As you walk through this picturesque valley, you will encounter Trinity Church , Saint Mary's Church, Reffert Church and Saint Kevin's Cell.

In the late afternoon, you bid farewell to Glendalough and return to Dublin where this evening you enjoy a beautiful dinner and a traditional Irish Cabaret with new and old friends.

October 12th - Friday - Day 5:
Today you have a free day you may choose to visit Christ Church Cathedral, National Museum of Ireland, and Trinity College with its magnificent library where you can view 'The Book of Kells'. You will have some free time to shop and explore on your own.