Updated April 6, 2009 to include changes in itinerary.
Updated March 7, 2009: includes hotels, concert change in Dublin and updates to itinerary. Scheduled choir singing is highlighted in green
Our Lady Of Sorrows Church Choir
Pilgrimage to Ireland (April 30-May 9, 2009)
Daily Itinerary
Day 1. April 30, Thursday: Depart for Shannon
Depart Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport for your overseas journey to Shannon on Continental Airlines via Newark.
Complimentary meals and beverages will be served aloft. (D)
Day 2. May 1, Friday: Arrive Shannon – Corrib River Cruise - Galway
Upon morning arrival at Shannon Airport, proceed through Passport Control, claim your luggage, and your Peter's Way Tour Manager/Guide, Noel, a professor in Galway and Peter's choice for best tour leader, will meet you upon your exit from Customs. Your luggage will be transferred to a comfortable touring bus, and you will be on your way to Galway, capital of the west, affectionately known as "The City of the Tribes." As your hotel rooms may not be ready yet, we enjoy a Corrib Cruise. This journey on the Corrib Princess takes passengers along the majestic River Corrib and onto the lake, providing visitors with wonderful views of the historic monuments and natural amenities that make this one of the most spectacular waterways in Ireland. Then, we drive along the shores of Galway Bay.
Independent lunch, continue for hotel check-in. Afternoon is open for rest and independent exploration.
Dinner and overnight at Clayton Hotel in Galway. (B,D)
Day 3, May 2, Saturday: Connemara, Kylemore Abbey & Knock - Sung Mass in Knock
Irish breakfast at your hotel.
Depart about 8:30am for morning bus trip to Knock. This little town is an important pilgrimage centre and has been famous for over a century as the site of visions, apparitions, and miraculous cures. Knock Shrine contains a number of churches and shrines including the modern Basilica and the Church of the Assumption. In 1879 an apparition of St. Mary, St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist was recorded, later recognized as authentic. Since then the place has attracted millions of pilgrims each year who gather in front of the Church's wall. The special message of Knock is the need for Penance. There are religious goods shops to be visited, and pilgrims from all over the world to be met!
Attend the 12 noon scheduled Liturgy & Anointing of the Sick at our Lady of Knock Basilica as sung by Our Lady of Sorrows Church Choir (1,000 to 2,000 worshipers in attendance) (subject to final confirmation).
Independent lunch.
This afternoon, travel through the Connemara region enroute to Kylemore Abbey. This is the country of the "Quiet Man" and "The Purple Taxi" – two famous films made in this region. It is an area full of contrast, granite mountains populated only by sheep with hundreds of lakes forming a fisherman's paradise and its seacoast with many sandy beaches. Its stonewalls, small farms, thatched cottages in isolated splendor with its heather covered hills, creates an unforgettable scene for all its visitors. A tour takes us from Galway to the lake dotted center of Connemara at Maam Cross.
Visit Kylemore Abbey, a gothic style castle, built in the 19th century by a rich Liverpool merchant, that today belongs to the Benedictine Nuns. Impressive, hidden between mountains and a lake and surrounded by rhododendrons, the abbey is situated in a romantic place of great beauty. The entrance hall and three other rooms are open to the public. The owner of the Castle, Mr. Henry, built the Gothic Memorial Church in the late 19th century. Restored by the Nuns in a major restoration project, it can be described as a "cathedral in miniature" and is very faithful to the so-called Decorated Style Church. Informal singing at the Gothic Memorial Church.
Return about 6pm for dinner and overnight at Clayton Hotel in Galway. (B,D)
Day 4. May 3, Sunday: Burren region - Cliffs of Moher - Evening/Medieval Castle Dinner
Leisurely Irish breakfast at your hotel. Begin our day with an orientation tour of Galway, visiting the Spanish Arch, the main streets of the city, and ending at the Magnificent Cathedral of Galway. Attend the 8:30am Scheduled Mass at Galway Cathedral, as sung by Our Lady of Sorrows Church Choir.
About 11:00am, bus will depart for a drive through the most spectacular Burren region. (Independent lunch along the way.) "Boirean" is the Irish for "Rocky." It got its name from its polished limestone landscape. It is a glaciokarstic plateau with porous carboniferous limestone and shale systems. It is hard to believe that it was once lightly wooded and covered in soil. At the end of the Stone Age, nearly 6,000 years ago, farmers arrived. The farmers left their animals grazing and this, along with natural weathering, stripped the soil of vegetation leaving this rocky landscape behind. The whole area is heaven for geologists and botanists with its rich liana and fauna. It also has over 2500 historical sites to keep you busy. Stop at Cliffs of Moher. The most majestic cliffs in Ireland rise from the Atlantic Ocean at 215 metres and extend for over seven kilometers. From this height, you can admire the Aran Islands, the Connemara Mountains and listen to the many sea birds that colonize this place from springtime on. Continue to hotel in Limerick arriving about 6pm for check-in, and then off to 6:30pm early seating this evening at the Medieval Banquet at Bunratty Folk Park Castle.
The world famous medieval banquet is a testament to the cultural and social life of its former inhabitants. The ladies of the castle aided an abetted by the Earl's Butler ensure an evening of entertainment which follows in the best tradition of Irish Hospitality. The wine flows as the entertainers recreate the magical atmosphere of the Earl's banquet through drama, music and song. Informal Recital at Bunratty Folk Park Castle.
Overnight at Absolute Hotel in Limerick. (B,D)
Day 5. May 4, Monday: Dingle Peninsula
Irish breakfast at your hotel.
This morning head south through the Dingle Peninsula, one of Ireland's most popular coastal scenery drives. Dingle is the most northern of the Kerry Peninsulas. This peninsula is famous for its Celtic, pre-Christian monuments and Christian churches. It is also a "Gaeltacht" (Irish speaking) area, where the Irish language and traditional ways of life are preserved. Dingle town itself is a thriving fishing town and offers plenty of opportunity for shopping or simply savouring the atmosphere of a typical country Irish town with its plentiful pubs, narrow streets and busy harbour.
Independent lunch enroute.
The road around the Peninsula passes through a chain of Mountains, called Slieve Mish. From Inch, a long beach bordered by dunes and made famous by David Lean's movie "Ryan's daughter," admire the Iveragh Peninsula and Rossbeigh Beach. Drive around the coast to Slea Head. Here the blue of the marine landscape surrounds the Blaskets Islands, deserted since 1953. In the distance are the two rocky Skellig islands, where the ruins of an early Christian Monastery can be found. The Dingle Peninsula will charm you with its villages painted in bright colours, and will bewitch you with the dramatic beauty of its landscapes.
Arrive in Killarney about 5pm for dinner and overnight at Quality Hotel in Killarney. (B,D)
Day 6. May 5, Tuesday: AM/Ring of Kerry – PM/Muckross House - Evening/Sung Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral in Killarney
After Irish breakfast, we tour the Ring of Kerry (166km), the most famous and panoramic route in Ireland. The astonishing beauty of this large peninsula, Iveragh, comes from the great diversity of its scenery, which offers incessant contrasts. Enroute 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 pass through Killorglin, famous for its 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 Ireland's National hero, Daniel O'Connell. Next, continue on through peat bogs to the town of Waterville. See Sneem Village, famous for its brightly coloured houses. The road then continues through the mountains to Molls Gap and Ladies View with superb views of the famous lakes of Killarney.
Independent lunch.
This afternoon, visit Muckross House and Gardens. Built in 1843 by the Herbert Family, in Elizabethan style, this house is one of the most sumptuous residences in Ireland. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, particularly famous for its rhododendrons, Muckross House is in the heart of the Killarney National Park, the first such park opened in Ireland.
Arrive in Killarney about 3pm
This evening you will be transferred to St. Mary's Cathedral in Killarney for the scheduled 6:15pm Mass as sung by Our Lady of Sorrows Church Choir.
Dinner and overnight at Quality Hotel in Killarney. (B,D)
Day 7. May 6, Wednesday: AM/Blarney Castle - Waterford - Kilkenny
Irish breakfast at your hotel.
This morning depart for County Cork to visit Blarney Castle, about an hour's drive away, where you will feel compelled to kiss the Blarney Stone and gain the gift of eloquence or as an 18th century French consul put it, "gain the privilege of telling lies for seven years". The castle itself, a tower house, dates from 1446 and is built on solid limestone. Arrive in Cork about 10am. Stop for shopping at Blarney Woollen Mills, selling high quality Irish crafts. Then we continue to the city of Waterford, which is the oldest city in Ireland, arriviing about 1:30pm. A walled city of Viking origin, it retains much of its medieval character together with the graceful buildings from its 18th century expansion. Visit the world famous Waterford Crystal Factory. The first Waterford crystal factory was founded in 1783 but it only operated until 1851 when it had to close due to punitive taxation. The current factory was opened in 1971. Today it employs a skilled workforce of glass blowers, cutters and engravers who can take from 8 to 10 years to learn their craft. The crystal is produced using red lead, silica sand and potash. Visitors are guided through the different stages of production from the blowing, cutting and engraving areas to seeing the finished product on display in the magnificent showrooms. This afternoon we continue to Waterford, a stronghold founded by the Vikings in 853 AD. At Waterford see the creation of Waterford Crystal on a factory tour.
Independent lunch.
Then, we continue to Kilkenny, the medieval capital of Ireland. Capital of County Kilkenny, the town of Kilkenny is often referred to as "the Marble City." It is the most interesting and best preserved of the medieval Irish cities. It owes its immense charm to the various impressive historical monuments. A medieval city of 24,000 people it is characterized by many beautifully restored buildings and winding slipways ~ it is small and compact enough to explore on foot, yet full of fascinating historical buildings and contemporary shops, design galleries and restaurants.
Arrive in Kilkenny about 5pm for dinner and free evening and overnight at Newpark Hotel in Kilkenny. (B,D)
Day 8. May 7, Thursday: Holy Cross - Rock of Cashel - Dublin – Evening/Gala dinner and show in Dublin
Following an Irish breakfast, we leave to visit Holy Cross Abbey, founded in 1168 for the Benedictines by Donald O'Brien, King of Munster, and transferred about 1182 to the Cistercians. The precious Relic of the True Cross, given by Pope Paschal II to Murtagh O'Brien II, King of Munster in 1110, was magnificently enshrined in the Abbey and Holy Cross became one of the most frequented places of pilgrimage in Ireland. Much rebuilding work was carried out in the first three centuries of the Abbey's existence so that little of the original Romanesque work remains. The Abbey was restored and is now used as a Parish Church. On the grounds of Holy Cross stands Ireland's memorial to the Italian stigmatist Padre Pio. Each May, people gather for an anniversary ceremony and pilgrimages take place on Sundays from May to September. Arrive in time for the 10:00am public Mass at the Abbey Church, sung by Our Lady of Sorrows Church Choir.
Then, we continue to visit the Rock of Cashel, one of Ireland's great historic sites. Cashel was the seat of the Munster Kings from about 370 AD until 1101 AD, when it was granted to the church. It has very early associations with St. Patrick. The magnificent group of ecclesiastical ruins, which crown the Rock includes St. Cormac's Chapel, an outstanding piece of Hiberno-Romanesque art.
Independent lunch.
Proceed to Dublin for hotel check-in.
This evening enjoy dinner and entertainment at the Merry Plough Boys Pub. The former show at Taylor's Three Rock has moved to a different venue in January 2007. This is a state-of-the-art music venue open seven nights a week, all year round. Their lively show features contemporary Irish dancing and well-known guest artists. Fine food is a very important element. At Merry Ploughboy's Pub, youthful vibrancy has successfully combined with traditional craftsmanship to provide an excellent evening entertainment. This will be our "farewell dinner."
Overnight at Jurys Inn Parnell Hotel in Dublin. (B,D)
Day 9. May 8, Friday: Morning at leisure, then tour of Dublin following the 11am Mass at St. John & St. Augustine
Irish breakfast at your hotel, with the morning at leisure until we sing at 11am:
This morning, attend the scheduled 11:00am Mass at St. John & St. Augustine Church, as sung by Our Lady of Sorrows Church Choir.
Independent lunch.
This afternoon we discover Dublin's 'Fair City' in half a day. This tour will allow you to take in all the sights, including the famous 'Doors of Dublin', the elegant Georgian squares, and the Phoenix Park. Highlights of the tour will be a visit to Trinity College to view the 8th century illustrated manuscript, The Book of Kells, followed by a visit to St. Patrick's Cathedral, Ireland's largest Cathedral made famous by its former dean Jonathan Swift, author of "Gulliver's Travels." The cathedral, built in 1213, is the largest in Ireland. This Gothic Cathedral, with a splendid interior, is adorned with Funeral Monuments, such as The Boyle Family Memorial and the grave of Dean Jonathan Swift (Dean of St. Patrick's 1713-1745). The Chancel has ornate stained-glass windows, some by Harry Clarke, which are magnificent features.
We recommend a stroll down Grafton Street where you can enjoy the best in street entertainment and a coffee in Bewleys Cafe. The shopping is also great in this area of the city!
Perhaps you may visit the Guinness Storehouse. Here see how this famous brewery was established and how the popular black brew is created.
Dinner and overnight at Jurys Inn Parnell Hotel in Dublin. (B,D)
Day 10. May 9, Saturday: Return from Dublin
Irish breakfast at your hotel. Leave hotel at 6am for transfer by coach to Dublin Airport, arriving about 7am for your 9am flight home to Baltimore BWI International Airport. (B)
** Unexpected circumstances may require alteration to the details outlined in this itinerary. **
Your Choir Pilgrimage Includes:
* Round-trip economy class via Continental Airlines:
Washington/National / Newark/ Shannon-Dublin / Newark/ Baltimore
* US Departure tax; Customs User fee; Security tax.
* Eight (8) nights accommodations in twin rooms with private facilities at superior tourist class hotels.
* Breakfast and dinner daily, including a Traditional Irish medieval banquet At Bunratty Folk Park Castle or at Knappogue Castle, AND a special dinner, show with live traditional music and Irish Dancers at Merry Ploughboys.
* Meeting and assistance upon departure from Ronald Reagan Washington- National airport.
* Services of a Peter's Way Tour Manager/guide upon arrival to departure in Ireland.
* All sightseeing as per the attached itinerary, including overseas arrival and departure transfers, in a private, deluxe, air-conditioned motorcoach.
* Entrance fees to all sites as per attached itinerary.
* Porterage of one piece of luggage per person at hotels.
* Donations to churches used in programs (standard Mass offering at certain sites is optional)
* Portfolio of travel documents, including a Peter' s Way flight packet.
Blarney Castle
Knock: Basilica
Knock: Celtic Cross
