Celtic Journeys USA & Ireland     Toll Free:     Phone:651 291 8003    Email: info@celtic-journeys.com Exceptional Service        Extraordinary Journeys Healing Hearts - Sacred Spaces - Strong Women Highlghts St. Patrick Centre & Saul Newgrange Faughart Clare Island Kilkenny Castle Glendalough Departure Date 8th June 2012 Return Date 18th June 2012 Arrive & Depart Dublin 9Nights/11 Days Cost: $2,789.00 per person sharing (Plus Air approx $1,200) Extra cost for single Room $675.00 (singles limited) Included in your trip: Accommodation for 9 nights with full breakfast each morning. 7 Evening dinners & 2 Lunches Entrance Fees to places of interest noted. Transportation with a driver-guide. Not Included: Airfare Items of a personal nature (laundry, telephone, etc.) 7 Lunches & 2 Dinners Gratuities for Driver-guide Friday 8th June: Depart USA for Ireland Depart USA for Ireland on your overnight flight. Saturday 9th June: Dublin to Newcastle Arrive Dublin Airport and travel north to the ancient passage tombs at Newgrange, Nowth & Dowth reputed to be older than the Pyramids of Egypt. We will also visit the town of Faughart the birth place of St. Brigid in 450AD and visit St.Brigid’s Holy Well and Shrine. Continue north to Newcastle in Co. Down, a beautiful seaside resort town with the Mountains of Mourne sweeping into the Irish Sea. You will have time to relax before a welcome dinner together this evening. Sunday 10th June: Visit to Downpatrick Breakfast followed by a visit to Downpatrick where you will have the chance to visit the wonderful St. Patrick Centre detailing the legacy of St. Patrick. Later visit the gravesite where St. Patrick & Sty. Brigid are reputed to be buried, followed by a trip to Saul the first church of St Patrick. Return to Newcastle where you will have time to take a stroll along the beach-front and explore the town before evening dinner. Monday 11th June: Newcastle to Westport Depart after breakfast and travel west to Strokestown and visit the famine museum before heading on to Castlebar and Westport for overnight and dinner. Enjoy a talk this evening by Ann Chambers author of Granuaile (Grace O’Malley).   Tuesday 12th June: Westport & Clare Island Depart along the shores of Clew Bay, to Croagh Patrick, and onto Roonagh Quay for the ferry to Clare Island, once the home to the Pirate Queen Grace O’Malley . Clare Island is dotted with Iron Age huts, and forts. Return to Westport for overnight with evening at leisure for dinner on your own. Wednesday 13th June: Westport to Ballynahinch From Westport travel through the rugged landscape of Connemara through Leenane to Clifden for some free time then to Ballynahinch Castle for overnight and dinner. Spend some time in the walled garden exploring the Labyrinth. Thursday 14th June: Ballynahinch to Cashel Following breakfast depart for Galway with a brief overview of the city. Continue south to Thor Ballylee the former home of WB Yeats and then to Killaloe and Cashel for overnight and dinner. Time to visit the famous Rock of Cashel once the seat of the Kings of Munster. Friday 15th June: Kilkenny & Waterford This morning visit the medieval city of Kilkenny and take a tour of Kilkenny Castle. Later travel on to Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city for overnight and dinner. This evening enjoy a walking tour of the city with a local guide. Saturday 16th June: Waterford This morning enjoy a tour of the rugged coastline and then visit Waterford Regional Hospital to experience the Labyrinth in the healing Garden followed by a presentation of a donation to the Solas Centre, a safe place for cancer patients and their families. A place to talk things over, to relax and to express emotions. Evening free to relax and enjoy the city on your own Sunday 17th June: Waterford to Glendalough, Kildare & Dublin After breakfast and travel through Co. Wexford enroute to Glendalough to visit the remains of the 6th century monastic settlement founded by St. Kevin. Continue to Kildare to spend some time at St. Brigid’s Well and later travel to Co. Dublin for overnight and a farewell dinner to end your trip to Ireland   Monday 18th June: Dublin  - USA Depart to Dublin airport for your flight home.