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Irish International Eucharistic Congress Tour
Itinerary
Saturday 02 June: Depart Auckland
Sunday 03 June: Arrive Dublin
On Arrival at Dublin we will be met by our Irish guide and transferred by coach directly to our hotel.
Dublin overnight (D)
Monday 04 June: via Glendalough to Kilkenny
Enjoy a panoramic tour of Dublin City, discovering the north side of the River Liffey. This area offers great striking monuments such as the GPO (General Post Office) on the city main thoroughfare, O'Connell Street, or the Custom House along the quays, as well as the Phoenix Park, the largest public park in Europe.
The South side appears more sophisticated with it's vast Georgian squares, such as Merrion Square, where Oscar Wilde's House can still be found (today owned by an American College), it's colourful doors, along with Grafton Street and it's quality shops. Not so far from St. Stephen's Green in Kildare St, you will see the house of Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula. This part of the city is also dominated by the students of Trinity College, where the famous book of Kells is permanently exhibited in it's library. The university is facing the medieval district where Dublin Castle and the two Anglican Cathedrals can be found.
The afternoon drive south, through the Wicklow Mountains to Glendalough where St Kevin, son of the king of Leinster founded a monastery in the 6th century. From a simple beginning the site grew to become famous as a centre of learning throughout Europe. Standing for 600 years it was destroyed in 1389.
We then continue across the mountains to Kilkenny, a historic town dominated by the 12th century Kilkenny Castle, built by the Normans on their arrival in this part of Ireland.
Kilkenny overnight (B, D)
Tuesday 05 June: Callan- Kilkenny (via Holycross and Cashel)
This morning, drive to Callan to visit the birthplace of Blessed Edmund Rice. The thatched house, in which Edmund was born on 1 June 1762, is almost 300 years old.
Continue to Tipperary and the village of Holycross, which is home to much of the remains of the historic Holy Cross Abbey, given the name Holy Cross as the Monastery housed a portion of the true cross now enshrined in the Abbey.
Drive onwards to Cashel to visit the Rock of St Patrick (or Rock of Cashel) which was the home of the Kings of Munster, who were also bishops. Of particular interest is Cormac's Chapel, where the Kings were crowned. St Patrick visited the rock in 450 AD, while Brian Boru was crowned the 1st High King of Ireland here in the tenth century, by the O'Brien clan, the Rock became the seat of the archbishop of Cashel. It was during this period that Cormac's Chapel was built. Today, impressive stone walls enclose a round tower, a cathedral, a twelth century Romanesque chapel and high crosses. The gothic cathedral dates back to the 13th century and attached to it is the palace of the Archbishop of Cashel. Cormac's chapel, smaller in structure , displays some typical Romanesque features while the hall of the Vicar's Choral, at the entrance to the Rock, is a fifteenth century house. The Vicar's Choral has been recently restored and it's basement houses a small museum of artefacts found on the site, A guided tour is strongly recommended.
We then continue via Cahir to Killarney.
Killarney overnight (B,D)
Wednesday 06 June: Ring of Kerry
This morning embark on Ireland's most popular scenic drive, the Ring of Kerry, by skirting Ireland's highest mountains, the Macgillycuddy's Reeks. The Ring of Kerry (166km) is the most famous and panoramic route in Ireland. The astonishing beauty of this large peninsula, Iveragh, comes from the great diversity of it's scenery, which offers incessant contrasts. En route around the Ring, take in spectacular scenery - mountains, peat bogs, lakes and magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean as one travels along the coast road.
Leaving Killarney we pass through Killorgin, famous for it's Puck Fair, then to Glenbeigh where the cliff road affords panoramic views of the Dingle Peninsula and Dingle Bay. Continuing to Cahirciveen, you'll pass the birthplace of our national hero, Daniel O'Connell. Next continue on through peat bogs to the town of Waterville. Continue to Sneem Village, famous for it's brightly coloured houses. The road then continues through the mountains to the spectacular view at Molls Gap, where you will see the Killarney lakes on your left with the Black Valley and the Head of the Gap (the Gap of Dunloe) in the distance.
The most famous and photographed view of Killarney is to be seen at ladies View approx 11 miles from the town of Killarney. Overlooking the Upper Lake, on of the three Lakes of Killarney, this particular view received it's name from the view of Killarney Valley much admired by Queen Victoria's ladies in waiting, when they were here in 1861.
Killarney overnight (B,D)
Thursday 07 June: Cliffs of Moher and the Burren
This morning drive north and travel to the beautiful village of Adare for a photo stop. Continue through the outskirts of Limerick to reach Bunratty Village. Have some free time to shop or visit Durty Nelly's before heading to the coast of County Clare to view the Cliffs of Moher.
We then stop for a visit to the Cliffs of Moher. Situated on the Atlantic Ocean and bordering the Burren Area, the Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland's most spectacular sights. Standing 230 metres above the ground at their highest point and 8km long, the Cliffs boast one of the most amazing views in Ireland. On a clear day, the Aran Islands are visible in Galway Bay as well as the valleys and hills of Connemara. To the south of the cliffs is Hag's Head and was once the site of a castle. The cliffs reach their highest point just north of O'Brien's Tower. Cornelius O'Brien, a descendant of Brian Boru (he who defeated the Vikings in battle), built a tower at the cliffs in order to enjoy some tea with his lady friends. The Tower is adjacent to the seastack, Breanan Mor, which stands over 70 metres above the foaming waves and is home to some of the Burren's wildlife.
We then enjoy a drive through the Burren Region and visit the Burren Interpretative Centre at Kilfenora before we arrive at Kinvara.
Tonight we enjoy a medieval banquet and a program of music and storytelling at the medieval Dunguaire Castle.
Kinvara overnight (B, D)
(B, D)
Friday 08 June: Via Galway & Knock to Sligo
This morning, drive a short distance away to Galway City and anjoy an orientation drive of Galway City on arrival.
We then travel on to Knock and viit the Shrine where the Virgin Mary appeared in 1879. From this miraculous occurence Knock has grown to the status of an internationally recognised Marian Shrine. The personal pilgrimage of Pope John Paul II in 1979, commemorating the centenary of the apparition, inspired an even greater devotion to the Shrine and endorsed the indelible seal of Vatican approval. Mother Teresa of Calcutta visited the Shrine in June of 1993. One and a half million pilgrims visit the Shrine annually.
This afternoon we proceed to the Sligo.
Sligo overnight (B,D)
Saturday 09 June: Via Drumcliff & Strokestown to Dublin
Following breakfast we travel to Drumcliffe to visit the cemetery, where the famous Irish poet, W.B. Yeats is buried. His tomb can be found in the cemetery of a small, simple church in Drumcliff. The church, in which his grandfather had been rector, was built on the foundations of St. Columba’s 6th century monastery. Nothing remains of the monastic site but a magnificent high cross and the ruins of a round tower.
We then continue east through the midlands to Strokestown House in County Roscommon. Built by Thomas Mahon MP on lands which had been granted to his grandfather for his support in the British colonial campaign, Strokestown House was the family home of the Mahon family until 1979. The house provides a fascinating glimpse into the Anglo-Irish ascendancy. Many rooms are on show including a schoolroom and a child’s bedroom, complete with 19th century toys and mirrors.
Here we will also visit the Famine Museum located in the original Stable Yards of Strokestown Park House. It was designed to commemorate the history of The Great Irish Famine of the 1840’s and in some way to balance the history of the ‘Big House’. The Famine Museum uses the unique documents that were discovered in the estate office, dealing with the administration of the estate during the tenure of the Mahon family. This collection includes many haunting pleas from starving tenants on the estate and the response they received.
We then journey back to Dublin and our accommodation.
Dublin overnight (B,D)
50th International Eucharistic Congress
Sunday 10 June
Today is the opening ceremony of the Congress. Coach at group's disposal from 9am till 5:30pm.
Dublin overnight (B, D)
Monday 11 June
Today's programme includes Exploring and Celebrating our Communion through Baptism, Morning Mass by Language Groups and Principle Liturgy: Ecumenical Liturgy of Word and Water. Roundtrip transfer to/from Congress.
Coach at group's disposal from 9am till 5:30pm.
Dublin overnight (B, D)
Tuesday 12 June
Today is a family day. The programme includes Exploring and Celebrating the Communion of Marriage and Family. Roundtrip transfer to/from Congress.
Coach at group's disposal from 9am till 5:30pm.
Dublin overnight (B, D)
Wednesday 13 June
Today's programme includes Exploring and Celebrating Ministry- Ordained and Lay, and placing our gifts at the Service of Communion. Roundtrip transfer to/from Congress.
Coach at group's disposal from 9am till 5:30pm.
Dublin Overnight (B, D)
Thursday 14 June
Exploring the Challenge of Restoring Communion thourygh Justice and Reconciliation.
Coach at group's disposal from 9am till 5:30pm.
Dublin Overnight (B, D)
Friday 15 June
The programme today includes Exploring Suffering and its Potential to Isolate and Exclude People, Celebrating Communion through Healing, and Mass with Anointing of the Sick. Roundtrip transfer to/from Congress.
Coach at group's disposal from 9am till 5:30pm.
Dublin Overnight (B, D)
Saturday 16 June
The programme today includes Exploring and Celebrating the Word of God which Nourishes our Communion, and Mary as a "hearer of the Word" par excellence. Roundtrip transfer to/from Congress
Sunday 17 June
Today is the closing ceremony of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress. After the ceremony, enjoy a farwell evening in the Dublin Mountains of rousing Irish ballads, Irish dancing and a great Irish dinner before returning to the hotel.
Dublin Overnight (B, D)
Monday 18 June: Depart Dublin
This morning you are transferred to Dublin Airport for your flight back to Auckland.
Tuesday 19 June: In Transit
Wednesday 20 June: Arrive New Zealand
All details of sightseeing listed and order of daily arrangements must remain subject to change due to any unforeseen circumstances, which may arise, or at the discretion of the pilgrimage leadership.
The overview is based on the standard pilgrimage departure and return dates. Please refer to your personal flight itinerary for more specific details or amendments pertaining to your travel.
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