Land of Spirits, Saints & Scholars
April 3-11, 2024
(Plus April 2nd pre-paid arrival day/night in Dublin)
***Itinerary subject to change***
Rev. Kathleen McKern Verigin, Director/Guide
Transportation provided by Slevins Coaches
Adults 18+ – Land Package $3,250.00 per person, shared occupancy
(See Contract for details)
Travelers provide own air travel
Tuesday, April 2 – ARRIVAL
Overnight: Dublin, Ashling Hotel
Travelers are encouraged to arrive Dublin a day early in order to acclimate. Enjoy a pre-paid bonus night at the centrally located 4-star Ashling Hotel. Dinner on your own, followed by (if you’re awake!) live music at one of many traditional Irish pubs. Tour officially begins on Wednesday morning at breakfast.
DAY 1 – Wednesday, April 3
Overnight: Dublin, Ashling Hotel
Following a lavish breakfast, we will enjoy a day exploring Dublin, known as The Fair City. Our driver will take us on a 90-minute tour of the city. Later, we’ll visit Christ Church Cathedral, Trinity College Library & Book of Kells, and the EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum. There will be extended time to roam Grafton Street, a pedestrian throughfare with shops, buskers (street musicians) and numerous dining spots. To enter, you will pass by the famous Molly Malone statue. She’s known as “the tart with the cart.” We’ll hop back on the bus and return to our hotel for some down time before a complimentary arrival dinner at our hotel.
DAY 2 – Thursday, April 4
Overnight: Trim, Highfield House
After enjoying another complimentary breakfast, we will load our bags and hop aboard our 29-seat comfortable and cozy coach—our traveling home for the duration of the journey. We’ll head north into the lush Boyne Valley. The River Boyne is associated with the Celtic goddess Boann. Our first stop is at the Brú na Bóinne Centre where we will visit Newgrange, the best-known Irish passage tomb dating back 5,000+ years. It is here at the Winter Solstice that the first sunrays of dawn enter a small window, travel up a long, narrow passageway, to eventually illuminate the central chamber. There we will see three alcoves, many decorated with triple spirals and other ancient motifs.
Upon arrival at the car park, it’s a short walk to the new visitor center. When it’s our time to tour, you will walk a paved path, cross the River Boyne Bridge, then a very short walk to the mini bus that will deliver you to Newgrange. There you will walk up a short gravel path where we will turn in our tickets. From there it is another 5-minute walk on gravel, slightly uphill, to the site.
Enjoy lunch on your own at Brambles, on-site café at the recently renovated Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre. It is operated by an Irish family that takes pride in their Artisan Hand Produced food. This also allows time to peruse the fabulous gift shop!
After lunch, we will travel to a pre-determined field and meet up with Brian from Newgrange Falconry. The ancient and noble art of falconry is a sport which involves the use of trained raptors (birds of prey) to hunt or pursue game for humans. In Ireland there is fossil evidence of an interaction between man and the goshawk. Remains were found in Mount Sandel in Colerainec-7,000 BC, Newgrange in the Boyne Valley in Co. Meath -2,000 BC and Dalkey in Dublin – 3,000 BC. The earliest known reference to falconry in Ireland is in the Irish text ‘The Life of St. Colman’ in the 12th century. In this, the King of Tara is described as having ‘da seabhac seiga’ or two hunting hawks.
The evening is free to roam the small town of Trim, with numerous dining options. Trim was the winner of the 2022 Tidy Towns Award. There is a lovely River Boyne walk that passes by the massive Trim Castle. It is especially beautiful at night.
DAY 3 – Friday, April 5
Overnight: Trim, Highfield House
After enjoying a continental breakfast, we’ll take a short walk to the nearby Trim Castle for a private tour. The sheer size and thickness of the mighty castle walls, it is the largest Anglo-Norman fortification in Ireland. The central fortification is a monumental three-story keep. This massive 20-sided tower, which is cruciform in shape, was all but impregnable in its day. It was protected by a ditch, curtain wall and water-filled moat. Modern walkways now allow you to look down over the interior of the keep – a chance to appreciate the sheer size and thickness of the mighty castle walls. The castle is noted for the part it played in the filming of Mel Gibson’s 1995 feature film, Braveheart.
Lunch will be on your own in Trim. There are many great nearby restaurants and pubs.
After lunch, we’ll return to our bus for more of the Boyne Valley, a region rich in heritage and history. Our afternoon focus will be the Hill of Tara. Though best known as the seat of the High Kings of Ireland, the Hill of Tara has been an important site since the late Stone Age when a passage-tomb was constructed there. Tara was at the height of its power as a political and religious center in the early centuries after Christ.
Attractions at Tara include St. Patrick’s Well, a sheela-na-gig, Stone of Destiny and Wishing Tree. Wishing Trees (aka May Bushes, Fairy Trees, or Rag Trees) are hawthorn trees where people tie cloth ribbons to ask blessings from the local saints/deities/wee folk. The hawthorn blossoms in May, time of the Beltane festival of rebirth, now generally known as May Day.
Just steps away, we will visit Tara Open Studio for private time with sacred artist Courtney Davis.
“If the Gods want it and its good for your evolution, you and it will be divinely supported, truly blessed and guided by a higher hand!”
The gallery displays original artwork as well as books, prints, cards and other products that feature his work. Courtney will lead us in a meditation/ceremony designed to further deepen our experience of the Hill of Tara.
DAY 4 – Saturday, April 6
Overnight: Trim, Highfield House
After another delicious continental breakfast, we’ll enjoy an hour’s drive west to the mystical Hill of Uisneach, roughly pronounced ISH-knock. Our private guide, Treasa Kerrigan, will meet us there at mid-morning, hours before guided tours are open for the public. She channels, writes and records guided meditations from Sacred Sites of Ireland. Treasa is a qualified Tour and Heritage Guide (QQI Level 6) and a member of the Independent Tour Guides Association of Ireland. Our guided walking tour leads us through the myths & legends of Uisneach, the Sacred Centre of Ireland. Learn of the High Kings, Goddesses & Gods that once spent time on this special Hill. Take in the uninterrupted 360˚ views stretching over 250 acres. Ramble onto the High Kings’ residence, a conjoined ring fort and then on to our many historical monuments. Walk the landscape with our guide, learning the mythology & folklore of the Hill.
A complimentary brown bag lunch will be provided.
After a stop at a nearby Brigid Well, we will travel east back to Trim where you will have dinner and the evening on your own.
DAY 5 – Sunday, April 7
Overnight: Kildare, Silken Thomas
This morning, after breakfast, we’ll again load our bags onto our private motor coach as we head south into the plains of County Kildare. It’s namesake is a tribute to Saint Brigid, equal to St. Patrick in Ireland. However, there was a Goddess Brigid with nearly the identical mythology. Christian or Pagan? As Sister Mary once said to me, “My dear, there’s no difference. They are one and the same.” We’ll arrive in time to attend mass at St. Brigid’s Cathedral. Whether Catholic or not, it’s always inspiring to experience a contemporary worhsip service in an ancient cathedral.
Before service, we’ll arrive Kildare and visit Solas Bhride. It is a progressive Christian Spirituality Centre which welcomes people of all faiths and of no faith.
The vision of the center is to welcome all to know and be inspired by Saint Brigid whose legacy is ever more relevant for our world today.
The Centre is an ecologically sustainable building in the shape of a St Brigid’s Cross. In this hour-long morning session, we will learn about the history of Brigid and her vast ministry dating back to the 400’s.
Following 11:30am mass at the ancient cathedral, we will walk to the close-by Silken Thomas restaurant for lunch on our own. They are known for Carvery Lunches, meaning they carve the beef right there and then serve it to you. In the past, it’s been a huge amount of food. Ask for a smaller portion or share a big portion with a friend.
We’ll return to Solas Bhride where our private guide will share more facts and lore about Brigid, while also leading us in prayer, meditation, chanting and gentle movement—and contemplative walking of the on-site labyrinth. If the reeds are suitable, we will make a communal Brighid Cross. Last stop will be Brigid’s Holy Well. You are welcome to bring a small bottle and take home some of the holy water.
“We are delighted to be part of Brigid 1500 Celebrating
A Woman, A Life, A Legacy, which will be marked in 2024”
After farewells, we will make a very short drive to our accommodations in the heart of Kildare town. Dinner and evening on your own
Day 6 – Monday, April 8
Overnight: Silken Thomas Hotel
FREE DAY This is a chance for you to relax and just “be.” Travelers will be given a list of “things to do.” Driver will be available for close-by excursions.
DAY 7 – Tuesday, April 9
Overnight: Glendalough Hotel
After a lavish breakfast, we’ll load our bags onto the bus and head southeast into the Wicklow Mountains, the largest area of continuous high ground in Ireland. There will be great opportunities for photo stops along the way.
Our morning stop will be Irish Working Sheepdogs for an up-close and personal demonstration. Nestled at the foot of the Wicklow Mountains, outside in the picturesque village of Ballymore Eustace, is the chance to experience a taste of true Irish heritage.
Michael Crowe, a renowned sheepdog handler, offers a memorable experience of seeing working border collies in action. The beautiful views and vibrant scenery of Kildare and Wicklow create the perfect backdrop where you will be engrossed in the Irish countryside.
Later will visit the mystical Athgreany Stone Circle. It is a picturesque circle of 16 grey granite stones and an outlier. Some of these pillars and boulders are up to two meters high and enclose an area of about six feet across. Now the site is composed of 16 granite boulders, with 5 remaining in their original placements. It is a highly atmospheric site, adorned with a hawthorn fairy tree that grows just inside the circle. Also known as the Piper’s Stones, this site is rich in both history and folklore. It is estimated to have been built sometime in the Late Bronze Age, with a few of the stones showing faded glimpses of megalithic art. There is a local folktale that says these stones were once people, and that God turned them to stone for dancing here on a Sunday, with the outlying stone being the piper. Hence the name Piper’s Stones.
After a lunch stop, we will travel on to the visitor center at Glendalough, translated as “the valley of two lakes.” It has been a place of pilgrimage since the 6th century when St. Kevin lived there as a hermit and ascetic, attracting followers and establishing a monastery. This afternoon, as a preview for next day’s private tour, we will learn about the history of Glendalough while touring the fine interpretive center.
Late afternoon we will make a two-minute drive the Glendalough Hotel. There we will enjoy a complimentary group dinner.
DAY 8 – Wednesday, April 10
Overnight: Glendalough Hotel
After breakfast, we’ll begin our day roaming the many landscapes of Glendalough. First, we will meet up with our guide at St. Kevin’s Parish Church. There we will learn about Celtic Spirituality by witnessing amazing icons that grace the space. The on-site outdoor labyrinth is our next experience. Following the contemplative walk, we will visit the Hermitage Center for morning prayers. Note that their prayers are inclusive of varying levels of religious/spiritual beliefs, even the “none’s.” After a break with tea and scones—a very Irish tradition—we’ll hop aboard our bus and arrive at the Monastic City. The ‘City’ consists of a number of monastic remains, and the most impressive being the Round Tower which stands 96-feet high. Within the ancient and contemporary cemetery is a special Celtic Cross where we will experience an ancient prayer. Along our walk is a “fairy tree.”
We can, again, place cotton strips of cloth on a branch, each holding a prayer/intention/blessing. A short walk along a flat, paved path delivers us to the two lakes. There will be free time to roam about on your own.
Lunch will be on your own at the Glendalough Hotel, just steps away from the entry to the Monastic City. There is an on-site gift shop for your shopping pleasure.
Dinner will be on our own, followed by a fun farewell to our driver.
DAY 9 – Thursday, April 11
Overnight: Dublin, Ashling Hotel
Today, after breakfast, we will load our bags onto the bus and return to Dublin mid-morning where will have time to explore, dine, tour, shop, play—and pack! For our closing banquet we will dine and be entertained at the award-winning Merry Ploughboy Irish Music Pub. Traditional Irish music—some mellow, some rowdy. Plus, Irish dancers! A shuttle bus will take us to the venue outside city center of Dublin, then back to our hotel. It is fun to travel through neighborhoods that aren’t touristy.
DAY 10 – Friday, April 12 – Departure
(You have pre-paid for breakfast. If you have an early flight, a brown bag breakfast will be provided.)
Travelers are responsible for all transports.
Rev. Kathleen McKern Verigin, Anam Cara Tours LLC
14850 SW Hidden Hills Road, McMinnville, OR 97128 USA
kathleenverigin333@gmail.com
503-970-3615