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Saint Mary’s College Ireland Program at Maynooth University |
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Day 1 | October 13
DUBLIN ARRIVAL
- Arrival to Dublin, Transfer to Barberstown Castle, Brú Na Bóinne Valley Tour
10 am - Meet with guide Conor Ellard in the Coffee Shop, Arrivals Hall, Terminal 2, Dublin International Airport (After clearing customs, US passengers must pass through Arrivals Hall. There is only one coffee shop. Conor will be at the coffee shop starting at 10 am).
11 am - Group Shuttle Depart Dublin International Airport. Transfer to Barberstown Castle to drop off bags and pick up early arriving participants.
12 pm - Depart Barberstown Castle for Brú Na Bóinne Valley
1:15 pm - Lunch on own in Drogheda
One of the oldest towns in Ireland, Drogheda dates back to the 1100s. Drogheda was a walled town during medieval times and the Irish Parliament often met there. St. Oliver Plunkett, an Irish Archbishop, was beheaded in 1681 “for promoting the Roman faith.” In 1975, he was canonized and his head may be viewed at St. Peter’s Church on West Street in Drogheda. During the 1990s when the Irish economy surged, people working in Dublin expanded into Drogheda for its affordable housing.
2:30 pm - Brú Na Bóinne Valley Tour, Visit Knowth Megalithic Passage Tomb
Brú Na Bóinne Visitor Centre contains exhibitions that describe the society that created the Neolithic tombs, their homes, dress, food, tools and weapons. The Great Mound at Knowth was built over 5,000 years ago, probably after the construction of nearby Newgrange and before the construction of Dowth. The Great Mound is surrounded by 18 smaller satellite mounds. The Great Mound has two passages with entrances on opposite sides, ending with a cruciform chamber. Boyne Valley is one of the most historically significant and ancient areas of Ireland. County Meath is also known as the Royal County. It is from here is where the High Kings of Ireland ruled the country. This site is also home to tombs and megalithic burial chambers that are around 5,000 years old. These tombs are located along the valley of the river Boyne, which can also be known for the famous Battle of the Boyne in 1690 between the Catholic King James of England and the Protestant King William.
5:30 pm - Return to Barberstown Castle
6:30 pm - Opening night group dinner at Barberstown Castle
Overnight at Barberstown Castle
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Day 2 | October 14
KILDARE
Breakfast at Barberstown Castle
8:30 am - Depart for Kilkenny
Walking Tour of Kilkenny City
Kilkenny, the capital of County Kilkenny, is often referred to as “the Marble City.” It is one of the most interesting and best preserved medieval Irish cities. Among the medieval ruins are 12th-century Kells Priory, an Augustinian complex surrounded by fortified walls. Other medieval buildings include Kilkenny Castle, and St. Canice’s Cathedral has a 9th-century round tower offering panoramic views.
11 am - Visit Kilkenny Castle
The original Anglo-Norman stone castle was built for William Marshal, 4th Earl of Pembroke during the first decade of the 13th century. Kilkenny Castle later became the principal Irish residence of the powerful Butler family for almost 600 years; it was then presented to the people of Kilkenny in 1967. After a major renovation, the central block of the castle now includes a library, drawing room, and bedrooms decorated in 1830s splendor, along with the Long Gallery. A suite of former servant’s rooms is now the Butler Art Gallery and The Parade Tower is the Castle’s conference venue.
1:30 pm - Two-course group lunch & tea/coffee at Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel
4:30 pm - Visit Glendalough Visitors Center
Glendalough was founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. This monastic site is set in a glaciated valley with two lakes, and include a superb round tower, stone churches and decorated crosses. The round tower is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the area. The site also includes a Celtic high cross, St. Mary’s Church and St. Kevin’s Church.
Return to Barberstown Castle
Dinner at leisure, on own
Barberstown Castle has a “Garden Bar.” Participants may also taxi, on their own, to a nearby town such as Maynooth for dinner.
Overnight at Barberstown Castle
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Day 3 | October 15
HEAD TO GALWAY VIA COUNTY OFFALY
Breakfast at hotel and check-out
8:30 am - Depart for Clonmacnoise, Athlone and Galway
10:30 am - Visit Clonmacnoise
Clonmacnoise is an ancient monastic site near Shannonbridge, County Offaly, and a top visitor attraction in Ireland. A walk amongst the peaceful stone ruins of this famous place will invoke images of the saints and scholars of Ireland’s renowned Golden Age of learning. Founded by St. Ciaran in the mid-6th century, it became a great center of religion and learning, visited by scholars from all over the world. Today the site exists as a preserved ruin under the management of the Office of Public Works and visitors can see three high crosses, a cathedral, seven churches and two round towers.
11:45 am - Lunch on own in Athlone
The town of Athlone rests on the east side of the River Shannon, the longest river in Ireland. Built in the 1200s on top of a man-made hill, Athlone Castle dominates the waterfront and has resisted attacks throughout its history. The majestic Church of Saints Peter and Paul is easy to spot on the landscape of Athlone. The town is an important destination for recreational boating, fishing and swimming, especially on the nearby lake, Lough Ree. Athlone is a center in the region for shopping and tourism.
Afternoon - Walking Tour of Galway City
A walking tour of Galway is the best way to enjoy the scenery as the city is mainly pedestrian. The walking tour will start on Eyre Square and conclude at the Claddagh. The tour will consist of the Lynch Castle, home to the mayors of Galway; St. Nicholas Church founded in the 13th century; the famous Spanish Arch; and a walk along the Corrib River to Claddagh Village.
Visit Galway Cathedral
Galway Cathedral is the largest Catholic Church in Galway, located on Nun’s Island. Being the last large church in Ireland to be made from stone, it features a huge octagonal dome that complements the skyline of Galway. The Cathedral was built on the site of an old jail and contains a white cross in the pavement of the parking lot, marking the site of the prison graveyard.
Afternoon - Check-in at The Connacht Hotel
6 pm - Optional Mass at Galway Cathedral (Mass schedule here)
(the bus will collect those attending Mass on way to dinner)
7 pm - Bus departs The Connacht Hotel
7:30 pm - Three-course dinner & tea/coffee at McSwiggans Restaurant
Overnight at The Connacht Hotel
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Day 4 | October 16
CONNEMARA
Breakfast at hotel
9 am - Depart for Connemara Day Tour
Connemara is a place of contrasts, colors, wilderness and warm welcomes on the west coast of Ireland. From the bogs and lakes of the Gaelic speaking south Connemara to the mountain vistas of north and west Connemara, the diversity of the landscape offers much to the visitor. It is also the wildest and the most romantic part of Ireland. Connemara is a real treasure for nature lovers and those in search of strong emotions. In 1951, John Ford’s hit movie “The Quiet Man” starring John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara and Barry Fitzgerald was made, and filming was centered in the village of Cong on the Mayo-Galway border.
11 am - Visit Kylemore Abbey
Kylemore Abbey and its Victorian walled garden was originally built as a castle in 1867 as a romantic gift by Mitchell Henry to his new bride. It is one of Connemara’s greatest attractions. Kylmore Abbey is also home to a miniature cathedral built in 1870. In 1920, the Abbey became home to the Irish order of Benedictine nuns who opened a world-renowned boarding school for girls and began restoring the Abbey, Gothic Church and Victorian walled garden to its former glory. The school closed in 2010. It is now home to a visitor’s center and art gallery. In 2015, the University of Notre Dame and the Benedictine community at Kylemore Abbey formed a partnership to create a center to advance their shared spiritual, cultural and educational missions. Notre Dame now offers programming that spans academic disciplines from the Abbey.
[new addition] - 12 pm - Catered lunch at Kylemore Abbey
Lisa Caufield, Notre Dame's Kylemore Abbey Program Director, has offered to organize a catered lunch for our group at the Abbey. This is a rare treat, and since it's a last-minute addition, participants are asked to give Kara Kelly 11 euros for lunch. Kara will in turn pay for the group lunch using a credit card.
Afternoon - Tour Clifden
Clifden is known as “the Capital of Connemara” since it is the largest town in the region. When the potato famine occurred in the 1820s, the area received assistance and the town began to flourish. Clifden thrives on agriculture, the fishing industry and tourism. Clifden is a scenic town. It's framed by the Twelve Bens, a sharp-peaked quartzite mountain range and is situated on the River Owenglin.
Evening - Dinner at leisure, on own in Galway
Overnight at The Connacht Hotel
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Day 5 | October 17
GALWAY TO LIMERICK THROUGH BURREN
Breakfast at hotel. Morning at leisure
11:30 am - Check-out and depart The Connacht Hotel
12:15 pm - Lunch at Keogh’s Pub, Kinvara, County Galway
Depart for the Cliffs of Moher via the Burren
The Burren takes its name from the Irish word “bhoireann” meaning “a rocky place” which is a good description for this limestone plateau in north County Clare. The intriguing landscape was formed 320 million years ago under a tropical sea, and is an ecological-rich location containing over 70 percent of Ireland’s native flora.
2 pm - Visit Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher are located at the southwestern edge of the Burren region and are one of Ireland’s most spectacular sights. They rise 390 feet above the Atlantic Ocean at Hag’s Head and reach a maximum height of 702 feet tall, just north of O’Brien’s Tower. From the cliffs, and atop the tower, visitors can see the Aran Islands in Galway Bay, the Maumturks and Twelve Pins mountain ranges to the north in County Galway, and Loop Head to the south. The extensive view across the Atlantic has recently been ranked “best cliff-view on the planet” by Conde Nast Traveler.
3:30 pm - Depart for Ennis
4:15 pm - Visit Ennis Friary
Ennis Friary was built on an island at a point where the river Fergus divides. This island is now incorporated into the streetscape of the modern town but remnants of the medieval settlement are evident. The friary was established in the 13th century and throughout the medieval times, the O’Brien’s were the principal patrons of these Franciscan friars and likely the reason they settled in Ennis town.
Depart for Old Ground Hotel Ennis and check-in
Evening - Dinner at leisure, on own, in Ennis
In 1610, Ennis received a grant to hold fairs and markets in the town. It was never a walled city and persecuted Catholics who were banned from walled cities could reside and prosper in Ennis. Later Ennis became a great town for manufacturing and distribution as commodities were transported to Ennis and then sent overseas. Ennis is a center for traditional Irish music. Many traditional musicians reside and play in Ennis. The center of Ennis is filled with narrow, medieval streets and laneways flanked by buildings over a thousand years old.
Overnight at Old Ground Hotel Ennis
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Day 6 | October 16
ENNIS TO MAYNOOTH
Breakfast at hotel
9 am - Check-out Old Grounds Hotel Ennis and Depart for Maynooth
11:30 am - Lunch on own in Maynooth
1-3 pm - Transfer to Bodenstown Churchyard/Tone’s Grave (with historian and
Saint Mary’s Ireland Prof. Seamus Cullen)
Nestled among Wicklow Mountains, the ancient parish church of Bodenstown lies in ruin. Every June, the church and adjoining Bodenstown Graveyard becomes a pilgrimage site for the Irish Republic. A lawyer named Theobald Wolfe Tone is buried in this graveyard and honored with a plaque. Theobald was one of the leaders of the 1798 Rebellion which sought to transform Ireland into a separate republic without England’s rule. “Tone’s Grave” honors Theobald as the Father of Irish Republicanism.
4 pm - Transfer to Barberstown Castle and check-in
5 pm - Mass, College Chapel, Saint Patrick’s College
The College Chapel is the most precious building on the Seminary Campus. In order to protect this priceless jewel and place of worship visiting is possible by appointment. College Chapel was built between 1875 and 1891 in the neo-Gothic style with heavy ornamentation. Over 11,000 priests have been ordained at Maynooth since its founding, and these priests have ministered across Ireland and the world.
7 pm - Reception and Dinner, 40th anniversary celebration and farewell event at Barberstown Castle
Overnight at Barberstown Castle
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Day 7 | October 19
DUBLIN DEPARTURE
Breakfast box provided for those on airport shuttle
5:15 am - Check-out for those on airport shuttle
5:30 am - Shuttle depart for Dublin International Airport
6 am - Arrive at Dublin International Airport
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Since 1977, the Saint Mary’s Ireland Program at Maynooth University has offered students an interdisciplinary approach to study including lectures, tutorials and field trips throughout the country, as well as a range of social evenings to cultural venues. Students who study abroad at Maynooth University may select from a range of courses offered through the Broad Curriculum, the Faculty of Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences and Mathematics. Students can study in Ireland for the full academic year or for either the fall or spring semester only. Maynooth University is located in County Kildare, 14 miles west of Dublin, and Saint Mary’s students experience both the vibrant pulse of metropolitan Dublin and the more tranquil rhythms of an Irish country town. Bus and rail transportation to Dublin are both inexpensive and frequent.
Maynooth University was founded in 1795 as the National Seminary of Ireland. Maynooth is known as the only university town in Ireland. Maynooth University educates over 12,000 students on its 100-acre site with a 19th-century south campus and modern buildings on its north campus.
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Conor has worked with Leisure and Corporate Tourism groups and individuals visiting Ireland since 1997. He's previously worked with groups affiliated with the University of Notre Dame. Steeped in Ireland’s history, politics and people, Conor is a delight to travel with and if asked, might agree to sing a ballad or two with his beautiful baritone voice.
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Kara Kelly, kkelly@saintmarys.edu SMCIreland@AnthonyTravel.com or 574-344-2133 |