Ireland & Scotland with Bishop Kicanas & Dcn. Ed Sheffer

Our pilgrimage begins as we depart our local airport for our overnight flight to Dublin, Ireland. Meals served on flight.

Upon arrival in Dublin, one of the liveliest capitals in Europe, we’ll have a quick tour of the city before hotel check-in. Before we gather for dinner, we’ll celebrate Mass at St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral in honor of this Year of Mercy pilgrimage. Dinner. Evening at leisure.

Overnight Dublin, Ireland

This morning, after breakfast, we’ll travel through the beautiful mountains of Wicklow to reach Kilkenny. Visit Glendalough, an ancient monastic city, established in the sixth century by St. Kevin, in the heart of the valley of the two lakes (Gleann da Loch). There, we’ll celebrate Mass at St. Kevin’s, and then visit the Round Tower, the ruins of the cathedral, and St. Kevin’s Kitchen. This afternoon we’re off to Baltinglass to see the ruins of a Cistercian Abbey and Castledermot to visit the Franciscan Abbey. Dinner. Evening at leisure.

Overnight Limerick, Ireland

Following breakfast, we start our day at Glenstal Abbey, a Benedictine monastery dedicated to Sts. Joseph and Columbia. Next visit is the Rock of Cashel, which stands high in the middle of the Golden Vale. We’ll visit the Cormac Chapel and St. Mary’s Cathedral. Back to the charming city of Limerick to explore King John’s Castle in the heart of the medieval district and visit St. Mary’s Cathedral, founded in 1168 and one of the oldest buildings in Limerick. Dinner. Evening at leisure.

Overnight Limerick, Ireland

After breakfast, we’re off to Blarney Castle, located in “the biggest little village in Ireland.” Step back in time and climb the 110 steep steps to view the Blarney Stone and learn about Ireland’s medieval past along the way. We’ll also explore the grounds and have an opportunity to lunch and shop at the nearby Blarney Woolen Mills before proceeding on to Cork City. We proceed to Cork City, starting with a visit to St. Peter and Paul’s Church, then we’ll tour Cork City, visiting the historic Cork City Gaol, the picturesque harbor, and downtown. We finish the day at St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral. Dinner. Evening at leisure.

Overnight Cork, Ireland

We set off today to visit Dingle Peninsula by way of the Eagle Mount and the cliffs of Slea Head. We’ll see the Gallarus Oratory built by the early monks dating back to the ninth century. We’ll finish with Kilmalkedar Church, built in the twelfth century, once part of a complex of religious buildings. Dinner. Evening at leisure.

Overnight Killarney, Ireland

After breakfast, we depart Killarney for Killimer where we will cross the Shannon Estuary by Ferry. Once acrross we follow the coastline to visit the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, a Victorian seaside resort. We’ll then visit Corcomroe Abbey as well as the Cathedral of Galway. Dinner. Evening at leisure.

Overnight Galway, Ireland

This morning following breakfast, we set off for Knock, visiting Croagh Patrick, where St. Patrick fasted for forty days in 441. While there, we’ll have the opportunity to climb the mountain or spend time at the visitor center enjoying the beautiful area surrounding Croagh Patrick. Upon arriving in Knock, we’ll proceed to the Knock Shrine, considered one of the world’s leading Marian shrines. We’ll then proceed to the basilica, the largest church in Ireland. We enjoy our farewell dinner and evening at leisure.

Overnight Knock, Ireland

Today, we visit the town of Kildare and St. Brigid’s Cathedral before departing for Glasgow, Scotland. Our tour of Glasgow includes George Square and nearby Glasgow Cathedral and St. Simon’s Parish. Dinner.

Overnight Glasgow, Scotland

This morning we follow the Loch Lomond through Fort William and stop at the Spean Bridge Woollen Mill. At Fort Augustus, we cruise on Loch Ness, home of the mystical beast “Nessie,” before heading to our hotel in Strathpeffer and St. Mary’s Church in Inverness. Dinner.

Overnight Strathpeffer, Scotland

Today, we visit Culloden Visitor Centre to learn about the Battle of Culloden, where Bonnie Prince Charlie was defeated by the British army in 1746. We stop briefly at the Blair Athol Distillery in Pitlochry to sample their wares. We’ll continue south to Fife to visit the shrine of St. Margaret at Dunfermline Abbey. Dinner.

Overnight Edinburgh, Scotland

This morning, we visit Edinburgh Castle, which dominates the city and contains the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Scone. Following, we will visit the National Shrine of Saint Andrew, part of St. Mary’s Cathedral, to venerate the relics of St. Andrew and participate in Mass. We’ll then proceed to Melrose Abbey, which was founded in 1136 by Cistercian monks. Dinner.

Overnight Edinburgh, Scotland

We depart with a renewed sense of faith with fond memories and jubilant spirits.