Sylvia Browne in Ireland ~ Itinerary

Day 1 / August 2

Depart from JFK on transatlantic overnight flight with Meal to Dublin

Day 2 / August 3

Overnight Dublin –

Alexander Hotel 

Merrion Square Dublin 2.

Tel: Dialing from USA 00353 1 6073700

Tel: Dialing within Ireland 01 6073700

Arrival at Dublin Airport early morning. Transfer to Hotel. Check in at 2.00 pm. We will endeavor to obtain early check in with hotel but not guaranteed. Tea/Coffee at hotel. Breakfast at hotel or in nearby cafes – at leisure.

2.00pm ~ Visit to Glendalough, Co Wicklow
Coach drive to Glendalough, Co Wicklow, which is approx 40 min drive from Dublin.
St. Kevin founded this early Christian monastic site in the 6th century. Set in a glaciated valley with two lakes, the monastic remains include a superb round tower, stone churches and decorated crosses. Kevin is thought to have come from the more fertile lands of County Kildare and like many other men of sanctity in early times, desired solitude for his life of prayer and contemplation. Thus he withdrew into the thinly peopled mountains and set up his hermitage at Glendalough.

From Glendalough, travel back towards Dublin and, time permitting, visit Powerscourt Townhouse and Gardens, which reflect centuries of history as the site dates back to the castle of c.1300. It contains some of the finest 18th century interiors in Ireland. The Gardens incorporate 45 acres of beautifully landscaped land with a blend of formal gardens, sweeping terraces, statuary and ornamental lakes, together with secret hollows, rambling walks, walled gardens and over 200 variations of trees and shrubs.

Return to Hotel in Dublin. Lecture by Sylvia Browne and Dinner Afterwards.

Other things to see in Dublin and which can be at your leisure

• The Book of Kells was written around the year 800 AD and is one of the most beautifully illuminated manuscripts in the world. It contains the four gospels, preceded by prefaces, summaries, and canon tables or concordances of gospel passages.
• Guinness Brewery
• Christchurch Cathedral

Day 3 – August  4

Overnight Dublin – Davenport/Alexander

Breakfast at hotel. Today travel from Dublin to Co Louth – 1 hr from Dublin. Visits to Mellifont Abbey and Monasterboice.

Old Mellifont
The first Cistercian monastery in Ireland founded in 1142 by St Malachy of Armagh, its most unusual feature is the octagonal Lavabo c. 1200. The Visitor Centre houses an interesting exhibition on the work of masons in the Middle Ages with fine examples of their craft on display. Access to site by stone stairway.  Groups will be given a guided tour of this old Site.
Nearby is Mellifont Abbey – where a community of Monks of the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance, sometimes called Trappists live and work and pray.

Monasterboice
The archeological ruins against the emerald green landscape at Monasterboice merge to form a setting that could almost only be Irish. Established in 520 A.D. by St. Buite, a follower of St. Patrick, the Christian settlement at Monasterboice was a community of life and worship that thrived for more than five centuries. Its associations within Irish history include marauding Vikings and the kings of Tara. It is a place of awe and of mystery, evoking phantom visions of a secluded community of religious scholars walking to prayers, working in the surrounding fields, and carefully copying their sacred and secular texts onto vellum. After being attacked and burned by Vikings in 1097, the community entered a decline from which it never recovered.

Monasterboice is best known for its well-preserved watchtower and its three magnificent crosses. The site also includes what remains of two churches, two early grave slabs, and a medieval sundial—all surrounded by a still-active cemetery. The presence of two churches at Monasterboice indicates that this was once home to both a monastery and a convent, with each community having its own place of worship.

Lunch at leisure arranged enroute. Travel back to Dublin early afternoon. Dinner at hotel in Evening.

Suggestions of things to do in the evening at leisure in Dublin:

• Zozimus Tour of Dublin– Walking Tour of Dublin
• Literary Walking Tour of Dublin
• Theatres nearby: Abbey Theatre/Olympia Theatre, Gate Theatre
• Dublin Writers Museum

Day 4 – August  5

Overnight Kilkenny

Lyrath Estate Hotel and Spa

Kilkenny, Dublin Road, Kilkenny

Tel: Dialing from USA 00353 56 776 0088

Tel: Dialing within Ireland 056 776 0088

Breakfast at hotel and check out. Today the group will depart from Dublin to travel to Co Kilkenny. Kilkenny is approx 2 hrs from Dublin. Overnight at the beautiful Lyrath Estate Spa and Hotel located just outside of Kilkenny Town.In Kilkenny, take a guided tour  of  Kilkenny Castle. Lecture by Sylvia Browne and afterwards visit to St. Canice's Cathedral.

Kilkenny Castle
A 12th century castle remodelled in Victorian times and set in extensive parklands which was the principal seat of the Butler family, Marquesses and Dukes of Ormonde.  Due to major restoration works, the central block now includes a library, drawing room, and bedrooms decorated in 1830’s splendour, as well as the beautiful Long Gallery.  A suite of former servant’s rooms is the Butler Art Gallery, which mounts frequently changing exhibitions of contemporary art.  The Parade Tower is the Castle’s conference venue.

St Canice’s Cathedral
Built between 1202 and 1285, this graceful cathedral has been preserved in its original style and form. Worship has taken place here for over 800 years.See the wonderful stained glass and the largest collection of ancient monuments. Guided Tour of the Cathedral. The cathedral has a magnificent atmospheric interior  beautiful condition and obviously lovingly cared for.
Overnight at Lyrath Estate with Dinner included.

Day 5 – August 6

Overnight Killarney

Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa

Town Centre, Killarney, Co Kerry

Tel: Dialing from USA 00353 64 21111

Tel: Dialing from within Ireland 064 21111

Enjoy Breakfast at Lyrath Estate before departing from Kilkenny to Co Kerry.
En route visit the Famous Rock of Cashel located in Co Tipperary. Afterwards visit Blarney Castle

Rock of Cashel
Rock of Cashel located in County Tipperary. This is certainly one of the most visited sites in Ireland, The Rock of Cashel sits to the north of the town of Cashel, and it combines spiritual grace, mysterious beauty, and scenic elegance. It is one of Ireland’s most spectacular archeological sites.

Blarney Castle
Blarney Castle was built nearly six hundred years ago by one of Ireland’s greatest Chieftans, Cormac MacCarthy and has been attracting attention to the area ever since.The Blarney Stone located at Blarney Castle is sometimes referred to as the ‘Stone of Eloquence’ found at the top of the Tower. Kiss it and you will never  be lost for words!

Group will stop for lunch en route to Killarney.

Arrive to the Killarney Plaza Hotel where you will spend this evening and the following evening.

Things to do in Killarney in Evening – at Leisure

• Lots of Music Venues.
• Liam O’Connor Music Venue – Night of Traditional Irish Music and Dance
• ‘Dance on the Moon’. Night of Music and Dance
• Muckross House and Gardens
• Ross Castle, Killarney
• Killarney National Park
• St Mary’s Cathedral
• Torc Waterfall

Day 6 – August 7

Overnight Killarney Plaza

Breakfast at hotel before departing for  a tour to the Dingle Penninsula located on the Ring of Kerry. Approx: 1 hr away from Killarney. Visit to the Gallarus Oratory.

Gallarus Oratory
was built between the seventh and eight century and is the best preserved early Christian church in Ireland. It represents the apogee of dry-stone corbelling, using techniques first developed by Neolithic tomb-makers. The stones were layed at a slight angle, lower on the outside then the inside to allow water to run off. According to local legend, if a person climbs out of the oratory via the window, their soul will be cleansed. This is, however, physically impossible, because the window is approximately 18cm in length and 12cm in width.

The drive from Killarney to Dingle incorporates some spectacular scenery and stunning views of the Slieve Mish Mountains, the shoreline of Dingle Bay and the open Atlantic Ocean. Stop in Dingle which is a thriving fishing town before heading to the tip of the Peninsula where you can see the Blasket Islands offshore. Visit to the Gallarus Oratory (as above).

Lunch in Dingle Town at leisure.

Return to Killarney for lecture by Sylvia Browne and afterwards enjoy a meal and leisure at Hotel.

Day 7 – August 8

Overnight Galway

Radisson Hotel and Spa

Galway, Lough Atalia Road, Galway

Tel: Dialing from USA 00353 91 538300

Tel: Dialing within Ireland 091 538300

Breakfast at hotel and check out. Today the coach will travel north of Kerry to Galway with visits to two very special places in Ireland. One is the Famous Cliffs of Moher and the other is Gleninagh Castle and Holy with local Guide Shane Connolly who is also a sheep Farmer and specialises in archaeology and walking tours of the Burren. Shane will lead the group to the Holy Well located at this site and explain its significance and its history.

Cliffs of Moher
A visit to Ireland would not be complete unless you see these famous cliffs. Witnessing the beauty of the Atlantic making a screeching halt as it crashes against the cliffs makes for a memorable day. From the Cliffs the Coach will drive through the Burren and on to the town of Ballyvaughan where lunch is your leisure.

From Ballyvaughan, drive to Gleninagh Castle where you will see the ruins of the ancient parish church encompassed by a small burial-ground, a short distance between the road and the sea coast. Looking down from a hillside across the wide expanse of Galway Bay, this well preserved sixteenth century town house stands guard over the northern shoreline of the Burren. The Castle was built for the O’Loughlins who were still residents in the 1840s. It remained occupied until the 1890s.

Close to Gleninagh Castle is a Holy Well, a Ring Fort and a 12th Century Ruin of Chuch. This area can be described as a ‘secretive place’.  Hardly any tourists see this normally though  it is easily accessed by a short walk from the Castle. Like the Castle, this Well overlooks Galway Bay and local Archeology Guide, Shane Connolly will speak to the group about its significance and history.

Continue onwards to Galway and check into Hotel.

Day 8 – August 9

Overnight Galway

Today breakfast at the hotel in Galway. Depart on a tour of Connemara and visit the beautiful Kylemore Abbey.

Kylemore Abbey
Visit the Victoria Abbey, Gothic Church and the Walled Gardens. The Visitor can admire the detailed exterior and interior of this ‘miniature cathedral’. The exterior, built in grey limestone, shows impressive, projecting corner buttresses and angelic gargoyles. The interior is embellished with stunning sand-coloured limestone carvings. The impressive gothic arches that form the ceiling are supported by a variety of Irish marble columns. In the south transept a beautiful stained glass window depicts the five graces, Fortitude, Faith, Charity, Hope and Chastity. Abbey is a working Abbey

Lunch can be had at Kylemore Abbey (self Service).

From Kylemore Abbey, travel through Connemara into Galway City for check into hotel. Remainder of the afternoon is free to enjoy the sights of Galway City.

Evening Time: Lecture by Sylvia Browne and dinner afterwards.

Things to do in Galway City

• Take a walking Tour of the City with local guide
• Museums/Art Galleries/Shopping

Day 9 – August 10

Today breakfast at hotel and depart from Galway to travel to Limerick City for your last night in Limerick.
Vist the beatuful site of Clonmacnoise before travelling onwards to Limerick City.

Clonmacnoise
This site is a Monastic site overlooking the River Shannon. The extensive ruins include a cathedral, castle round tower, numerous churches, two important high crosses and a large collection of early Christian grave slabs. Founded in 584 by St Ciaran, the settlement became a major centre of religion, learning, trade, craftsmanship  and politics. The group can enjoy a guided tour and a vist to the Visitor Centre.
Stop en route for lunch or afternoon tea on way to Limerick.
Check into hotel in Limerick and enjoy evening meal at hotel.

Day 10 – August 11

Overnight Limerick

Clarion Hotel

Limerick City, Steamboat Quay, Limerick

Tel: Dialing from USA 00353 61 444100

Tel: Dialing within Ireland 061 444100

Breakfast at hotel and Drive to Shannon Airport – approx half hour from hotel for departure back to USA.

Registration information for this excursion »