Pilgrimage & Religious Sites in Ireland
Embark on this journey around Ireland to learn about Celtic Christianity, its evolution and stories.
Highlights
- Venture to Bronze Age and Celtic Era sites
- Explore Ireland's Camino
- Private tour of Christ Church Cathedral
- Visit one of the world's most beautiful libraries and its treasure
Explore Ireland in a different way
This itinerary can be customized to you preferences
Pilgrimage & Religious Sites in Ireland
Ireland is a country known for its stunning landscapes, vibrant colourful villages, ancient Celtic relics, lush green valleys and abandoned castles. As an ocean ‘outpost’ at the western edge of Europe, it has a natural character quite different to the Continental landmass. Irelands past has been remarkably tumultuous provoking a tradition of courage, humour and creativity.
We will take you on a journey to explore ritual landscape tours, the St. Patrick Way - Ireland's Camino, Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin's oldest working structure and its spiritual heart, and one of the world's most beautiful libraries, home to the Book of Kells, Ireland's greatest cultural treasure.
Sample Itinerary
Christ Church & St Patrick's Cathedral
Welcome to Ireland! Upon your arrival into Dublin airport, be met by your chauffeur for a comfortable transfer to your hotel. As your room might not be yet ready, meet your walking guide at the lobby of your hotel for an introductory walking tour of the Irish capital. Experience all the iconic sites and landmarks of Dublin city. You will visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the national cathedral of Ireland and it is also the largest cathedral in the country. Traditionally the place where the cathedral lies today was the place where St. Patrick baptized the pagans to Christianity in the 5th century and there has been a church there since. The cathedral was badly damaged during the Cromwellian invasion in Ireland and it was eventually completely re-furbished by the Guinness family in the 19th century. Jonathan Swift, author of Gullivers’ Travellers was dean of the cathedral for 32 years and his remains are buried within the cathedral. Continue then for a guided tour of Christchurch Cathedral, one of the finest cathedrals in Ireland. Originally built by Cromwell in the 11th century. It has been reconstructed many times over the centuries and the building that remains today is truly magnificent. Christ Church is renowned for its beauty, arcChrist Church is also home to the famous 12th Century crypt, one of the oldest and largest in Britain and Ireland. Perfectly located in the heart of Medieval Dublin, it was founded in 1030 by Sitric, King of the Dublin Norsemen and was incorporated into the Irish Church in 1152 and eventually led by the famous Archbishop and patron saint of Dublin, Laurence O’Toole.The restored 12th-century crypt, houses the important Treasures of Christ Church exhibition which features manuscripts and artifacts that give visitors some impression of nearly one thousand years of worship in the cathedral and nearby churches. Outstanding among the rare church silver is the stunning royal plate given by King William III in 1697 as a thanksgiving for his victory at the battle of the Boyne. The Treasury also plays host to a rare 14th Century copy of the Magna Carta Hiberniae.
Accommodation options
The Conrad Dublin
Fitzwilliam Hotel Dublin
The Book of Kells
Start this day with a private after hours tour of the Old Library at Trinity College. Trinity College is a residential college in the heart of the city. Here you will visit the Colonnades, which houses the college’s greatest treasures, of which the most famous is the Book Of Kells. Housed within the Old Library building, the Book of Kells is a precious 9th century manuscript, featuring an exquisite combination of ornate Latin text and intricate illuminations. Discover how the world’s most famous medieval manuscript was made and learn about the rich symbolism behind it. On exploring the Long Room, get a close-up view of the Brian Boru Harp, Ireland’s oldest surviving harp and a rare original copy of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic, a seminal text in Irish history which influenced the foundation of the Irish Republic as a Sovereign Independent State. Have the afternoon to enjoy the charm of Dublin city on your own.
Land of Two Lakes
Leave the city behind for the day and venture to explore the east of Ireland, better known as the Garden of Ireland. You will visit Glendalough National Park. Glendalough, which means “Land of Two Lakes”, is situated in such a naturally beautiful location that the country has protected over 20,000 hectares acres of the area, known as the Wicklow Mountains National Park. Glendalough has attracted visitors to the shores of its two lakes for almost 1500 years. People come to experience the natural beauty of the landscape, to walk the mountains and hills and to explore the archaeological and historical monuments. Most important of all, people come as pilgrims, responding to the sacred energy of the landscape which drew St. Kevin to withdraw here in search of his God. The spiritual heritage of Glendalough is unsurpassed. The pilgrim way has been followed for ages past by monks and holy people and even our earliest ancestors who felt the primal call to worship.
Saint Patrick's Country
Say farewell to Dublin today and begin your drive to Belfast along the coast. On the way, you will visit the St. Patrick Center and the Cathedral of Down where Saint Patrick is buried are in the heart of Saint Patrick’s Country – Downpatrick. The Saint Patrick Centre is the only permanent exhibition in the world about Ireland’s Patron Saint with interactive exhibition, Imax, coach-ready cafe, the best gift store in Northern Ireland. Down Cathedral is the only medieval Cathedral in Northern Ireland and both are the perfect stop on the way from Dublin to Belfast. The history of Ireland starts here in the words of Saint Patrick himself.
Accommodation options
Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast
Culloden Estate & spa
Belfast
Take today to explore the vibrant streets of Belfast. Start off the day with a private black cab tour of the city learning about the history and struggle of Northern Ireland. Your tour will cover the Crumlin Road, the Belfast Peace Wall, and political wall murals. Later visit the Titanic Belfast Exhibition where you will enjoy a self-guided tour. The exhibition extends over nine galleries, with multiple dimensions to the exhibition and innovative interactive features to explore the Titanic story in a fresh and insightful way. Explore the shipyard, travel to the depths of the ocean and uncover the true legend of Titanic, in the city where it all began.
Derry
On this day, you will make your way to Derry. Taking the city’s heritage trail you’ll discover the origins of one of the longest inhabited places in Ireland as well as its magnificent walls.
Accommodation options
Bishops Gate
Bronze Age and Celtic Era
This day, embark on a ritual landscape experience with soft hike starting from Derry. This ground is excellent for this unique guided journey where you discover Bronze Age and Celtic Era sites and habitats in West Tyrone, the Sperrin Mountains and County Derry. Discover hidden stories behind pre historic features such as Stone circles, Giant’s graves, Fairy forts, Fairy trees and Pagan wells.
DAY 1
Christ Church & St Patrick's Cathedral
DAY 2
The Book of Kells
DAY 3
Land of Two Lakes
DAY 4
Saint Patrick's Country
DAY 5
Belfast
DAY 6
Derry
DAY 7
Bronze Age and Celtic Era
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