From the majestic Rock of Cashel and Blarney Castle to the serene Cliffs of Moher and the venerable Kylemore Abbey, each day is filled with opportunities for reflection, prayer, and community. We will celebrate Mass in historic churches, visit iconic landmarks, and immerse ourselves in the rich heritage of this beautiful place – Ireland.
Package Inclusions:
- Round Trip Group Air Transportation from Boston (if selected)
- Comprehensive Sightseeing as per itinerary in a Private Deluxe Motor coach while overseas.
- Licensed local guides
- Entrance and admission fees according to itinerary.
- Superior hotel accommodations
- Daily Mass
- Porterage Service at Hotels
- Meals as indicated in hotels and local restaurants (B,L,D)
- Hotel service charges and tax
- US Airport taxes, fuel surcharges
NOT INCLUDED IN PACKAGE: Gratuities, Travel insurance, passport fees, meals not indicated in itinerary, items of a personal nature, optional tours, items not mentioned in itinerary.
Prices, per person: (all prices in USD)
$3,585 per person in dbl occupancy room w/ group air from Boston
$2,880 per person in double occupancy room, Land Only
$850 Single Supplement
Full payments due: Monday January 22, 2026
Tour ID: 26-05.03 Ireland Shershanovich
Local Contact: Msgr. Shershanovich (413) 445-5789
NOTE: Space is limited. Registration will close if sold out in advance.
Itinerary
Day 1 — Sun, May 3, 2026 Depart the USA for Dublin
Evening departure from Boston to Dublin on Aer Lingus EI 136. Overnight flight.
Day 2 — Mon, May 4, 2026 Arrival in Dublin • Wicklow • Kilkenny
Good morning and welcome to Ireland! Meet your Driver-Guide in the arrivals hall and begin your pilgrimage in County Wicklow at Glendalough, the monastic valley of St. Kevin, famed for its round tower, early stone churches, and serene lakes. (Mass at St. Kevin’s.) Continue to Kilkenny and arrive early enough to relax and freshen up before dinner.
Dinner and overnight: Kilkenny River Court Hotel (Porterage included; 1 large bag in/out.) (D)
Day 3 — Tue, May 5, 2026 Kilkenny
After breakfast, celebrate Mass in Kilkenny. Visit the Cathedral Church of St. Canice & Round Tower, a landmark of worship for over 800 years. Then enjoy a self-guided visit of Kilkenny Castle, whose history reaches back to the 12th–13th centuries. Evening free to explore Kilkenny’s medieval lanes and riverfront. Overnight: Kilkenny River Court Hotel (B)
Day 4 — Wed, May 6, 2026 Kilkenny • Tipperary • Cork
Depart for County Tipperary to visit the storied Rock of Cashel, seat of kings and medieval bishops. (Mass in Cashel.) Continue to Blarney Castle—for those who wish, ascend to the battlements to kiss the famous Blarney Stone and browse the Blarney Woollen Mills. Travel on to Cork.
Dinner and overnight: The Imperial Hotel, Cork (B, D)
Day 5 — Thu, May 7, 2026 Ring of Kerry Highlights (Day Trip) • Return to Cork
Enjoy a scenic day taking in highlights of the Ring of Kerry—via Sneem and Moll’s Gap with views into Killarney National Park and its lakes. (Mass in Kerry en route.) Free time in Killarney before returning to Cork for the evening. Towering over Killarney Town, the medieval St. Mary’s Cathedral is one of Killarney’s oldest and most treasured pieces of architecture. Dating back to the 1840’s, the Cathedral, which was originally designed by famous English Architect, Agustus Welby Pugin, has a long and fascinating history. Work to its architecture was halted soon after its commencement due to Ireland’s great famine when it became a shelter and refuge for the poor and sickly of the town. Construction commenced again in 1853 but it was not until 1907 when the work on its iconic nave and spire were completed by Irish Architects Aislinn and Coleman of Dublin. Overnight: The Imperial Hotel, Cork (B)
Day 6 — Fri, May 8, 2026 Cork • Cliffs of Moher • Galway
Begin with Mass in Cork, then travel north to County Clare for the dramatic Cliffs of Moher, towering over the Atlantic with sweeping views to the Aran Islands. Continue through the West to Galway.
Dinner and overnight: Maldron Hotel Sandy Road, Galway (B, D)
Day 7 — Sat, May 9, 2026 Connemara • Sheepdog Demo • Kylemore Abbey • Galway
A full-day circuit of Connemara—a tapestry of lakes, rivers, bogland, rugged hills, and Atlantic coast. Enjoy a sheepdog demonstration at Glengowla Mines & Sheep Farm. Visit Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden, home to a Benedictine community since 1920. The story of Kylemore – both Castle and Abbey. Kylemore is home to a community of nuns of the Benedictine Order who came here in 1920 after their abbey in Ypres, Belgium was destroyed in World War I. Settling at Kylemore, the Benedictine Community opened a world renowned boarding school for girls and began restoring the Abbey, Gothic Church and Victorian Walled Garden to their former glory. Celebrate Holy Mass at Kylemore Abbey. Return to Galway. Overnight: Maldron Hotel Sandy Road, Galway (B)
Day 8 — Sun, May 10, 2026 Galway • Knock Shrine • Dublin
Depart for Knock Shrine, Ireland’s most renowned Marian pilgrimage site since the 1879 Apparition. (Mass at Knock) The Story of Knock in East Mayo began on the 21st August 1879 when Our Lady, St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist appeared at the south gable of Knock Parish Church. The personal pilgrimage of Pope Saint John Paul II in 1979, commemorating the centenary of the apparition, inspired an even greater devotion to the Shrine and endorsed the indelible seal of Vatican approval. Mother Teresa of Calcutta visited the Shrine in June of 1993. One and a half million pilgrims visit the Shrine annually. Celebrate Holy Mass at the Shrine of Knock today. In the afternoon, drive on to Dublin. Settle in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight: Clayton Hotel Leopardstown (B, D)
Day 9 — Mon, May 11, 2026 Dublin City Day • Mass • Cathedral Visit • Guinness or Jameson • Irish Show
Meet a local step-on guide for a panoramic tour of Dublin—O’Connell Street, Phoenix Park, Leinster House, the Ha’penny Bridge, and the city’s elegant Georgian doors. Mass at St. Teresa’s (Discalced Carmelites) Visit Christ Church Cathedral, founded as a Catholic Church in 1038 and rich in medieval history. This afternoon, visit either the Guinness Storehouse or the Jameson Bow St. Experience (final selection TBD), before a festive Dinner & Show at The Merry Ploughboy—traditional Irish music, song, dance, and a hearty meal (includes one drink). Overnight: Clayton Hotel Leopardstown. (B, FWD)
Day 10 — Tue, May 12, 2026 Departure
Breakfast at the hotel. Coach transfer to Dublin Airport and depart for Boston on EI 137. Slán abhaile! (B)
Inclusions (Summary)
- Hotels (8 nights): 2 Kilkenny • 2 Cork • 2 Galway • 2 Dublin (Leopardstown)
- Meals: 8 breakfasts; 4 hotel dinners (Kilkenny, Cork, Galway, Dublin) + Dinner & Show at The Merry Ploughboy
- Transport: Deluxe coach with Driver-Guide in Ireland (9 days); porterage (1 large bag in/out at each hotel)
- Visits & Activities: Glendalough; St. Canice’s Cathedral & Round Tower; Kilkenny Castle; Rock of Cashel; Blarney Castle; Ring of Kerry highlights; Cliffs of Moher; Connemara circuit; Glengowla sheepdog demo; Kylemore Abbey & Gardens; Knock Shrine; Dublin panoramic tour; Christ Church Cathedral; Guinness Storehouse or Jameson Bow St. (TBC); The Merry Ploughboy dinner & show
- Masses: As listed above (Note: Travelers customarily make a donation at churches for Mass.)
During most of our pilgrimages one can expect to walk several miles daily. For this reason we suggest you prepare yourself by walking regularly at least four weeks prior to your trip. Generally you will walk a bit, then break or visit, celebrate Mass, tour, etc. and continue. Expect each day to have at least a combined two or three hours walking. We want you to have an incredible and memorable time, but not memorable in the sense of a difficult experience. Get ready physically as well as spiritually for Catholic Pilgrimage!
