Welcome to Scotland! Meet your guide and head into the capital city to begin exploring. First stop is the Palace of Holyroodhouse followed by the oldest house on the Royal Mile. Located in the centre of the Royal Mile stop into St Giles Cathedral with breathtaking architecture and stained glass.
​
Overnight: Edinburgh (Bed & Breakfast)

Head north to a former religious capitol of Scotland, St Andrews! Visit the ruins of the once towering Cathedral and Castle in the town centre. The rich history can be felt as you wander the grounds of what was Scotland's largest cathedral.
​
Overnight: Edinburgh (Bed & Breakfast)

Rosslyn Chapel can be found south of Edinburgh in the Scottish borders. Melrose Abbey is also found down south and a must see. It is thought to be the burial place of Robert the Bruce's heart.
​
Overnight: Edinburgh (Bed & Breakfast)

Lindisfarne Priory on Holy Island was once a centre of the Christian world and is still an important place of pilgrimage. Founded in 635 CE this rich religious site will leave an impact on you.
​
Overnight: Edinburgh (Bed & Breakfast)

Today you head to the west coast of the island. Its stunning landscapes and beautiful coastlines are sure to impress. First stop in Stirling to see the castle and the Church of the Holy Rude.
​
Overnight: Oban (Bed & Breakfast)

Just across the bay in Oban lies the Isle of Mull. A ferry ride will bring you to the island full of mountains and highland cows. The Island of Iona, home of the infamous Iona Abbey is next on the list as one of Scotland's most historic and sacred sites.
​
Overnight: Oban (Bed & Breakfast)

Leaving the charming seaside city of Oban, you travel towards Loch Lomond this morning. Stopping to see St Conan's Kirk and then enjoying a cruise on Loch Lomond.
​
Overnight: Glasgow (Bed & Breakfast)

The largest city in Scotland is home to many iconic landmarks. Glasgow Cathedral and the Necropolis will start the panoramic city tour. Rounding out your tour, visit the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum to see art from throughout the centuries.
​
Overnight: Glasgow (Bed & Breakfast)

Transfer to the Glasgow or Edinburgh Airport to begin your journey home.

Arrive at Dublin Airport. Meet with your English-speaking guide and driver.
​
Depart for Dublin and enjoy a panoramic tour of Dublin. Here you will discover the north and south side of the River Liffey. This area offers great striking monuments such as the GPO (General Post Office) on the city main thoroughfare, O'Connell Street, or the Custom House along the quays, as well as the Phoenix Park, the largest public park in Europe. The south side appears more sophisticated with its vast Georgian squares, such as Merrion Square, where Oscar Wilde’s House can still be found (today owned by an American College), its colourful doors, along with Grafton Street and its quality shops. Not so far from St. Stephen’s Green, in Kildare St., you will see the house of Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula. This part of the city is also dominated by the students of Trinity College, where the famous book of Kells is permanently exhibited in its library. The university is facing the medieval district where Dublin Castle and the two Anglican Cathedrals can be found.
​
If time allows, visit Trinity College (*Can be moved to day 8). Trinity was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth 1st on grounds confiscated from an Augustinian priory and is the oldest university in Ireland. The Campanile, erected in 1852, was built on what is believed to be the centre of the monastery. Built to further the education of the ruling Anglo-Irish families, restrictions were imposed to prevent Catholic from attending courses. These restrictions were not fully lifted until the 1970’s. Trinity however admitted women in 1902, earlier than most British universities. Most of the main buildings off the main square were built during the Georgian period, some of which replaced older buildings. Within its walls, visitors will be able to admire Parliament Square and its 18th Century edifices. Trinity College has had many famous students such as Jonathan Swift and Samuel Beckett who later became a lecturer in French at the university. The inter-denominational Church is very much worth a visit.
​
Continue to your hotel and check in.
​
Enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel.
​
Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Dublin or area

This morning depart for a tour of Wicklow, the Garden of Ireland.
​
Celebrate Mass in St. Kevins Parish Church Laragh (*or similar).
​
Continue to Glendalough Monastic Site. This early Christian monastic site was founded by St. Kevin 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. The Visitor Centre has an interesting exhibition on Glendalough detailing the history, archaeology and wildlife of this area of Wicklow and includes an audio-visual show . French, Italian and Spanish guided tours are available all year by advance booking. While the visitor centre is fully accessible for visitors with disabilities, access to the monastic site is very difficult for wheelchair users.
​
Continue to Baltinglass Abbey. Founded in 1148 by King Dermot MacMurrough, Baltinglass Abbey was a daughter house of Mellifont Abbey and the mother house to Jerpoint Abbey. Nestled in a Wicklow Mountains valley, it retains fragments of its 12th-century Romanesque church and cloister. The aisled nave features alternating square and cylindrical piers with unique carvings. A medieval tower was later replaced by a narrow neo-Gothic version in the 19th century. The name Belach Conglais, meaning "pass of Cú Glas," is linked to the mythological hero Glass, said to have been slain by magical boars.
​
Travel to Castledermot Abbey. This Franciscan Friary, founded around 1247 on a site established by St. Diarmuid, is believed to have been built by Walter de Riddlesford II. Castledermot’s importance is reflected in its nearby monastic settlement and the 1264 Irish parliament held there. The surviving ruins include a 13th-century nave and chancel, a 14th-century aisle and transept, and a round tower—once used to protect monastic wealth. The friary was plundered during the Bruce invasion (1315–1318) and later rebuilt. Before its dissolution under Henry VIII, it comprised a church, cloister, dormitory, halls, kitchen, orchard, and garden.
​
Continue to your hotel and check in.
​
Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Tipperary or area

Celebrate mass after breakfast.
​
Depart for Kerry and visit the Rock of Cashel on route. Possibly the most photographed site in Ireland, the Rock of Cashel towers over the town of Cashel from its perch on a 200-foot high outcrop of limestone. Once the seat of the Kings of Munster. St. Patrick visited the rock in 450 AD, while Brian Boru was crowned the first high King of Ireland here in the tenth century. Granted to the church in the twelfth century, by the O'Brien clan, today the impressive stone walls enclose a round tower, a cathedral, a twelfth century Romanesque chapel and high crosses. The Vicars Choral has been recently restored and its basement houses a small museum of artefacts found on the site. One of the leading visitor attractions in Ireland, in 2011 it was visited by Queen Elizabeth II on her historic first visit to the Republic of Ireland.
​
Continue to your hotel and check in.
​
Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Kerry or area

Celebrate mass after breakfast.
​
Today depart for a day on Dingle Peninsula. The Dingle Peninsula contains some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in Ireland, particularly to the western extremity, where stunning views of the Blasket Islands are to be enjoyed. The Dingle Peninsula was immortalised by the 1970 movie, Ryan’s Daughter and is one of the most beautiful peninsulas on the Irish coastline. It thrusts out into the Atlantic Ocean to claim Ireland’s most westerly point.
​
You will visit Gallarus Oratory during the day. Gallarus Oratory is the most impressive early Christian monument on the Dingle peninsula. It has withstood the passage of time for over 1200 years. Built in the shape of an upturned boat, the oratory formed part of a larger monastic site and was used as a place of prayer and reflection. With its small entrance doorway and round-headed east-facing window, it is an excellent example of dry stone construction. Gallarus Oratory visitor centre offers visitors the opportunity to explore Gallarus Oratory and also see a Audio Visual presentation on the surrounding area. There is a shop offering souvenirs and some refreshments located in the main centre.
​
Return to the hotel at the end of the day.
​
Overnight, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Kerry or area

Celebrate mass after breakfast.
​
Today travel to Galway via the Cliffs of Moher & Burren region. You will take the Shannon Car Ferry to cross to County Clare!
​
Travel to the Cliffs of Moher. Situated on the Atlantic Ocean and bordering the Burren region, the Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland's most spectacular sights. Standing 230 metres above the ground at their highest point and 8km long, the Cliffs boast one of the most amazing views in Ireland. On a clear day, the Aran Islands are visible in Galway Bay as well as the valleys and hills of Connemara. The cliffs reach their highest point just north of O' Brien's Tower built by Cornelius O’ Brien, a descendant of Brian Boru, to entertain his lady friends. A visit of the tower is also possible. The sweeping view across the Atlantic has recently been ranked the best 'cliff-view' on the planet by Conde Nast Traveler. The respected travel publication has voted the world-famouslandmark at the top of a new chart of ' Nine Gorgeous Cliff Views That Rival The Grand Canyon'.
​
Continue towards Galway via the Burren. The Burren landscape covers over 150 square kilometres and is one of Ireland’s 6 National Parks. The region is visually similar to a moonscape, yet shelters a mixture of flora and archaeological sites which have attracted visitors for centuries. Man came here over 6000 years ago, cleared the forests and set in motion soil erosion. Centuries of weathering has produced a terrain of fissured limestone pavements, disappearing lakes, terraced mountains, and underground cave systems. For millennia man has left his mark, megalithic tombs and cooking sites litter the pavements, while medieval towerhouses and churches guard the valleys. Today man is absent from most of the upland, leaving behind ancient field systems, routeways and placenames. Today’s visitors to the Burren will find Arctic, Alpine and Mediterranean plants growing together.
​
Continue to your hotel and check in.
​
Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Galway or area

Celebrate mass after breakfast.
​
After mass, embark on a cruise on Lough Corrib with Tea & Scones! The Corrib Princess sails from Woodquay in the heart of Galway city, along the famous Steamers Line, which is the lakes traditional trade route. The journey takes passengers along the majestic River Corrib and onto the lake providing visitors with a guided commentary in a number of languages on the historic monuments and natural amenities on this waterway that leads to the largest lake in the Republic of Ireland. There is an abundance of wild life and the Corrib has a peace and tranquillity all of its own. The normal sightseeing tour is 90 minutes in duration with indoor seating for guests and tea/coffee plus traditional scones are included during the cruise. Irish coffee demonstrations can be organised during the cruise (not included).
​
After the cruise travel to Clonmacnoise. Clonmacnoise is a wonderful early Christian site founded by St. Ciarán in the mid-6th century on the eastern bank of the River Shannon. In a stunning setting, the site includes the ruins of a cathedral, seven churches (10th -13th century), two round towers, three high crosses and the largest collection of early Christian graveslabs in Western Europe. The original high crosses and a selection of graveslabs are on display in the visitor centre. In 1979 Pope John Paul II celebrated mass at this site. Guided tours are provided and the long and varied history of Clonmacnoise is recounted in an audiovisual presentation shown in the visitor centre. There are also exhibitions that deal with the flora, fauna and landscape of the region.
​
Return to the hotel at the end of the day.
​
Overnight, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Galway or area

This morning, travel to Knock Shrine where you will celebrate mass.
​
Located in County Mayo, Knock Shrine is Ireland’s National Marian Shrine, attracting over 1.5 million pilgrims annually. It is a site of deep spiritual significance, marking the place where locals witnessed an apparition of the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, and St. John the Evangelist in 1879. The Pilgrimage Season runs from April to October, offering daily Masses, Confessions, Anointing of the Sick, and Stations of the Cross. Visitors can explore the peaceful grounds, take part in guided tours, attend private Masses, and visit the award-winning Knock Museum, which tells the story of the apparition and the shrine’s rich history. Groups are always welcome, making it a meaningful destination for spiritual reflection.
​
Continue to your hotel and check in.
​
Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel Mayo or area

Celebrate mass after breakfast.
​
Depart Mayo to travel back to Dublin City!
​
Visit the National Museum of Archaeology upon arrival. The National Museum of Archaeology, on Kildare Street in Dublin, first opened its doors in 1890 and since then it has been filling in the blanks for us through its extensive archaeological collections. The Treasury features outstanding examples of Celtic and Medieval art, such as the famous Ardagh chalice, the Tara brooch and the Derrynaflan hoard. The museum also features the finest collection of prehistoric gold artefacts in Europe. It is possible to ramble through prehistoric and medieval Ireland, experiencing life at the same time of the Vikings in Viking Age Ireland and through documents on life in Ireland in the age of cathedrals, monasteries and castles. The new and fascinating “Kingship and Sacrifice” exhibition centres on a number of recently found bog bodies dating back to the Iron Age. Displayed along with other bog finds from the museum's collections, it offers you an opportunity to come face to face with Irish ancient ancestors.
​
After your visit, enjoy some time at leisure in the city!
​
Continue to your hotel and check in.
​
Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner at Merry Ploughboy (*or similar). The show takes place in the ideal location, a pub owned and run by musicians who have been performing to audiences in Dublin since 1989. The Merry Ploughboys live in concert is widely regarded as the best traditional music show in Dublin and also as a must see for any visitors to Dublin city. The show is a highly entertaining performance of live traditional Irish music, song and Irish dancing. From start to finish, this is a show based on fantastic interaction between the performers and the audience.
​
Overnight, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Dublin or area

You will be transferred to Dublin Airport after breakfast! We wish you a safe flight and hope you enjoyed the tour.