Travel with Father Rick Eldred of St. Vincent de Paul Parish and Linda Fitzpatrick of Happy Travelers to Ireland, steeped in Catholic faith and tradition. Celebrate Mass in treasured churches and shrines while traveling the Irish coast, visiting the essential sights of the Emerald Isle, where majestic scenery of green landscapes, towering sea cliffs, and rugged beauty await. Explore charming towns and vibrant cities, from Dublin and Waterford to Killarney and Galway. Journey along the Dingle Peninsula, view Ireland’s only fjord, and stand in awe of the Cliffs of Moher. Come discover the history, lore, and enduring faith of Ireland.

Trip Highlights:

  • Dublin Tour
  • Trinity College & The Book of Kells (Dublin)
  • Waterford Crystal Factory Tour
  • Jameson Distillery Tour
  • Blarney Castle
  • Killarney National Park
  • Dingle Peninsula
  • Cliffs of Moher
  • Galway Cathedral
  • Knock Shrine
  • Celebrate Mass in Dublin, Killarney, Galway, and Knock
  • Escorted by Father Rick Eldred and Linda Fitzpatrick

Itinerary

Day 1Day 2 Day 3 Day 4Day 5Day 6Day 7Day 8Day 9Day 10

Day 1 | Friday, March 20, 2020 | BEDFORD / CHICAGO O’HARE

Depart Bedford by motorcoach for Chicago O’Hare Airport to board your nonstop, overnight flight to Dublin, Ireland.

Day 2 | Saturday, March 21, 2020 | DUBLIN
Arrive in Dublin and meet your driver/guide to begin your journey through the Emerald Isle.  Enjoy lunch together at a local pub before experiencing a panoramic city tour of Dublin. See O’Connell Street, the Custom House Quay, Grafton Street, Dublin Castle, Phoenix Park, and visit Trinity College and the Book of Kells. Following the tour, check into your Dublin hotel for one night. 

(Meals: Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3 | Sunday, March 22, 2020 | DUBLIN / WATERFORD

Start with breakfast at the hotel before attending Sunday morning Mass in Dublin. Check out of your hotel and travel a short distance to Killiney to enjoy a special lunch at the Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel.  Continue your journey to Waterford for a tour of the Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre & Factory. Overnight in Waterford with a free evening to explore and enjoy dinner on your own in this charming town.

(B,L)

Day 4 | Monday, March 23, 2020 | MIDLETON / BLARNEY / KILLARNEY

After breakfast, depart for County Cork, stopping in the town of Midleton to visit the Jameson Distillery, where whiskey has been distilled since the early 9th Century. Continue on to Blarney for free time and lunch on your own before a visit Blarney Castle. Tour this famous castle and kiss the stone of eloquence. (Note: this does require climbing a cobbled stone staircase several flights.) Head to Killarney and upon arrival check in to your hotel for the next three nights.  Enjoy dinner at the hotel this evening.

(B,D)

Day 5 | Tuesday, March 24, 2020 | KILLARNEY

Today after breakfast celebrate Mass at a local church in Killarney.  Next, step back in time and experience Ireland’s most traditional mode of transport—a jaunting car ride (horse and carriage) through beautiful Killarney National Park. Visit Muckross House and Gardens, a 19th-century Victorian mansion set against the stunning beauty of the park. Enjoy the balance of your day at leisure, and dinner on your own.

(B)

Day 6 | Wednesday,  March 25, 2020 | DINGLE PENINSULA

Today after breakfast, explore the Dingle Peninsula with some of the finest coastal scenery anywhere in Ireland. This area is famous for its Celtic, pre-Christian monuments and churches. The town of Dingle itself is a thriving fishing town and with plenty of shopping, pubs, narrow streets and a busy harbor. Enjoy time for lunch on your own before continuing around the coast to Slea Head. In the distance are the two rocky Skellig islands, where the ruins of an early Christian Monastery can be found. This area was also the filming location for the last two Star Wars movies. Visit Gallarus Oratory and stop at Kilmalkedar Church, a spectacular medieval ecclesiastical site. Return to Killarney and enjoy dinner at a local pub.

(B, D)

Day 7 | Thursday,  March 26, 2020 | DYSERT O’DEA CASTLE/ CLIFFS OF MOHER / GALWAY

After breakfast, travel north and visit the authentically restored 15th-century Dysert O’Dea Castle and Clare Archaeology Centre. Then head to one of Ireland’s most spectacular sights, the Cliffs of Moher, situated on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.  Take in the majestic views before continuing north, through the Burren Region, one of Ireland’s National Parks. Continue to Galway and check in to your hotel for two nights and have dinner with the group.

(B, D)

Day 8 | Friday,  March 27, 2020 | GALWAY / CONNEMARA

This morning, celebrate Mass at Galway Cathedral, the largest Catholic Church in Galway.  The cathedral is located on Nun’s Island, on the west bank of the River Corrib and features a huge octagonal dome that complements the skyline of Galway. Explore the Connemara Region — a land of lakes and rivers, bogs and mountains, and home to Kylemore Abbey; most famous for its miniature cathedral, built in 1870. Today, the abbey is home to the Irish order of Benedictine nuns. Return Galway for a free evening.

(B)

Day 9 | Saturday,  March 28, 2020 | KNOCK SHRINE / DUBLIN

This morning after breakfast, celebrate Mass at Knock Shrine, Ireland’s National Marian Shrine where over 1.5 million pilgrims visit each year. Daily Masses, confession, anointing of the sick and stations of the cross are all available. Take a private tour of the shrine and grounds, and have a private Mass led by Father Rick. Late afternoon, transfer to Dublin. Check in to your hotel for the last night of your tour.

(B, D)

Day 10 | Sunday,  March 29, 2020 | DUBLIN/DEPARTURE

Transfer to the Dublin Airport for your flight home.  Process through U.S. Customs & Immigration at the Dublin airport. After baggage claim in Chicago, transfer via motorcoach to Bedford.

(B)

Pricing & Inclusions

Tour Includes:

  • Roundtrip commercial air from Chicago O’Hare Airport to Dublin, Ireland
  • Roundtrip transfers from Bedford to Chicago O’Hare Airport
  • Eight (8) nights 3-star hotel accommodation outside of city center
    • Two (2) nights – Dublin
    • One (1) night – Waterford
    • Three (3) nights – Killarney
    • Two (2) nights – Galway
  • Breakfast Daily
  • Two (2) lunches and Five (5) dinners
  • Private coach and driver/guide throughout
  • Sightseeing and admissions per itinerary
  • Tips for driver/guide and local guides, as indicated
  • Mass (Dublin, Killarney, Galway, and Knock)
  • Pre-departure meeting
  • Hotel baggage handling
  • Escorted by Father Rick Eldred and Linda Fitzpatrick

Not Included:

  • Travel Insurance (pricing available upon request)
  • Passport fees
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Anything not mentioned as included in the itinerary or inclusions list

Registration

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