Day 3 • Dublin
Day 5 • Ireland
Day 1 • Departure from the USA
We begin our journey as we board our plane for our overnight flight to Dublin, traveling over the Atlantic Ocean.
Day 2 • Arrival Dublin
Upon arrival, we are met by Signature Tours International representatives who assist us to our motor coach. The rest of the day is free time to explore on our own and then we have a welcome dinner and stay the night in Dublin.
Day 3 • Dublin
We have a guided sightseeing tour of Dublin that includes visits to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Oscar Wilde’s Trinity College, which is famous for the 1,200-year-old Book of Kells, and the Sean Mc Dermott Street Church, which contains the tomb of Venerable Matt Talbot. We then have some free time to explore on our own before dinner. Overnight is in Dublin.
Day 4 • Dublin
Day 4 • Dublin/Belfast
Today we travel through beautiful landscape to Northern Ireland and cross the border at Newry. In Downpatrick, we visit the St. Patrick Centre, which tells the story of Ireland’s patron saint. We also see the reputed burial site of St. Patrick. Upon arrival in Belfast, we have an orientation sightseeing tour before dinner. Overnight is in Belfast.
Day 5 • Belfast/Enniskillen/Drumcliff/Sligo/Knock
Leaving Belfast, on our way to Knock, we see Lough Neagh, Ireland’s largest lake. We also pass through Armagh, the “Orchard County”, and the area known as the “Linen Triangle”. We take a break in the “Island Town” of Enniskillen, which is set between the Lower and Upper Lough Erne. We cross the border into Eire and stop at Drumcliff to visit the grave of the native son and poet W.B. Yeats. We also explore the county town of Sligo before arriving in Knock, where the Virgin Mary appeared to the townsfolk in 1879. Dinner and overnight are in Knock.
Day 6 • Knock
Today we have a guided sightseeing tour of Knock that includes the Knock Shrine, the Church of the Apparition, the Basilica, and the Folk Museum. We then have some time to explore on our own. This evening, there is the possibility of joining the rosary processions. Dinner and overnight are in Knock.
Day 7 • Knock/Murrisk/Galway
We travel to Murrisk and visit the Croagh Patrick Visitor Center at the foot of St. Patrick’s Mountain. Then we travel to Galway to visit Kylemore Abbey, the massive, yet graceful, castle acquired by Benedictine nuns as a precious heirloom for Ireland.
Day 8 • Ireland
Day 8 • Galway/Kilfenora/Limerick
Today, we take the scenic route as we travel across The Burren to Kilfenora. Upon arrival, we visit the Burren Centre. The newly restored ancient cathedral and Celtic crosses form an important center of early Christianity. We then experience a breathtaking panoramic view of the Clare coast at the Cliffs of Moher, rising 668 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. In the evening, we have a farewell banquet at Bunratty Castle, truly an unforgettable Irish experience. We stay overnight in Limerick.
Day 9 • Limerick/Hometown, U.S.A.
We travel to Shannon Airport for our return flight to the U.S., bringing with us many unforgettable memories!