A pilgrimage of inner and outer landscape...

with an emphasis on pre-Celtic, Celtic, and early Christian sites, the itinerary includes:

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    PASSAGE GRAVES, RING FORTS & MONASTIC RUINS 

GLENDALOUGH

DINGLE PENINSULA

CLARE: THE BURREN

CONNEMARA

OMEY ISLAND & INISHBOFIN

    YEATS COUNTRY & Co. LEITRIM

    BOYNE VALLEY: NEWGRANGE & KNOWTH (option)

    DERRY (Northern Ireland) & DUBLIN 

    THEATER, MUSIC, PUB-LIFE & MORE

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Day 1: Sunday, June 11 - Travel day from the States

 

Day 2: Monday, June 12

Arrive in Dublin early morning. Wayfarers gather in airport to be collected by minibus. Possibilities include: National Museum, Bronze Age exhibit. Chester Beatty Library. Lunch at the museum’s Silk Road Cafe. Early night in Laragh, Glendalough, Co. Wicklow. (2 nights)

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Day 3: Tuesday, June 13

Co. Wicklow. Glendalough, 6th-century monastic site in the Wicklow Mountains. Beautiful walks along the Green Road. Visit Glencree Center for Peace and Reconciliation.

 

Day 4: Wednesday, June 14

Travel across Ireland to Co. Kerry, via the Solas Bhride Centre in Kildare. Dinner and beach walk. Overnight in Castlegregory. (2 nights)

 

Day 5: Thursday, June 15

Dingle Peninsula: Connor Pass, beehive huts, Slea Head, and Blasket Centre, Riasc Monastic Site, Gallarus Oratory, Kilmalkedar Church

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Day 6: Friday, June 16

County Clare via ferry from Tarbert. Hike at The Burren. St. Brigid’s well, Liscannor. Onward for evening in Galway City, walking streets, pub w/ trad music. (1 night)

 

Day 7: Saturday, June 17

Onward to Connemara. Guided walk on Omey Island. Stay in Clifden. (2 nights)

 

Day 8: Sunday, June 18

Free day - Relax and/or explore on your own terms. Optional day trip to Inishbofin for leisurely walking in beauty. (Ferry departs around 11:30am, returns around 4:30) Back to Clifden.

 

Day 9:  Monday, June 19 

Travel to Co. Sligo/Leitrim via scenic route, Co. Mayo. Possibly Kylemore Abbey for coffee. National Famine Memorial. Time/energy permitting, National Museum of Ireland – Country Life. (2 nights in Sligo)

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Day 10:  Tuesday, June 20

County Sligo: Yeats Country, home of poet William Butler Yeats. Guide: Dermot Colleary. Possible walk to Knocknarea or along Rosses Point Strand.

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Day 11: Wednesday, June 21

To Derry/Londonderry ("Stroke City"), Northern Ireland/UK, via Glenveagh National Park in Donegal. Griánan of Aileach. (2 nights).

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Day 12: Thursday, June 22

London/Derry - Guided walking tour, including Bogside Murals (“People’s Gallery”). Afternoon and evening free. (Walk the Peace Bridge across the River Foyle for a pint at the Walled City Brewery!

 

Day 13: Friday, June 23

County Leitrim (Frankie's home turf). Local history tour, with Fr. Liam Kelly (brother of Frankie), including visit to famine graves and home area of author, John McGahern. (Suggested reading: McGahern's Memoir; The Barracks; Amongst Women.) Stay in Keshcarrigan (2 nights)

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Day 14: Saturday, June 24

Leitrim area, day two. Marble Arch Caves (pending) and picnic at Cavan Burren Park in the Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark (UNESCO). Possible tour and tasting at The Shed Distillery, Drumshanbo. Restful evening, possibly some music. 

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Day 15:  Sunday, June 25

To Dublin. Afternoon guided tour of 14 Henrietta Street (75 minute tour and near to hotel). Time to settle in to hotel. Evening: Abbey Theatre (pending, awaiting nannouncement of featured play). (2 nights)

 

Day 16:  Monday, June 26

Free day in Dublin. Lots of possibilities…

 

Day 17: Tuesday, June 27

Depart Dublin

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We employ local people in several places along the journey who will serve as specialist guides, interpreters of local culture, and who will help with reflection and/or ritual.

    

Our itinerary includes some walking that takes light to moderate physical effort.

 

Celtic Wayfarers reserves the right to alter this itinerary at their discretion.

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