Board our executive coach from Liverpool or Halewood to Holyhead, where we take a ferry to Dublin. From there we travel to Clonmacnoise, often thought of as one of the most important sites in early Christendom. Founded AD 548, it covered a maximum of 10 acres, in effect, a small town in itself, with lay craftsmen and scholars. Many fine manuscripts and remarkable liturgical and religious items were produced here. But many invasions by Vikings, Anglo-Normans, and warring Irish tribes, caused great damage. Finally, as a monastic settlement, it was destroyed by the English in 1552. It now has extensive ruins, including 2 round towers, several churches, and many early grave slabs. Pilgrimages continue to the grave of St Kieran, but we just miss his feast day, 9th September. A visitor centre now houses the magnificent stone-carved high crosses. Our final port of call is the village of Claremorris, where we check into our hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Today we travel seven miles from Claremorris to Knock, Ireland's principal shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary; a small group of 15 villagers witnessed an apparition here on 21.08.1879. Amid a bright light, on the south side of the parish church, were seen Our Lady, St Joseph, and St John the Evangelist. Two commissions, having examined the evidence, accepted Knock's claim to become a centre of Marian pilgrimage. In the early 1970s a folk museum was established, and a new basilica was constructed. In 1979 Pope John-Paul II came here on pilgrimage. We celebrate Mass at the Sanctuary. We then travel via Castlebar to Ballintober Abbey, which dates from 1216, when the then King of Connaught, Cathal O'Connor, founded an Augustinian Abbey there. The much-modified church remains, which maintains an unbroken history of Mass celebrated here ever since 1216. We will then pass Croagh Patrick, with extensive views of St Patrick's pilgrimage mountain (2510’), where Patrick spent 40 days and nights in prayer for the conversion of Ireland. The annual Pilgrimage draws thousands to climb the mountain, on the last Sunday of July. We then stop over at Galway, a major, if small, Irish city: A regional capital, of medieval foundation, sturdy history, with a small port. Dinner and overnight stay in a hotel in the city.

Depart Galway, via Kilcolgan, the smallest diocese in Ireland (but its Bishop is well known!). Mass will be celebrated here. Continue to Lisdoonvarna, Irelands spa town! It is well-known for its annual “matchmaking fair” in late September. This afternoon we drive past the cliffs of Moher, Europe’s tallest cliffs, and the last western landfall until the USA. Admire the rocks, the Atlantic, the wonderful bird-life, but watch out for the edge! We make a short stop in Ennis, a small seaside resort, and the county town of Co. Clare, containing a fascinating mix of narrow streets, a museum and a high pillar topped by a statue of Daniel O’Connell. Continue to Limerick, situated on the south bank of the River Shannon, with a 12th Century Cathedral and a castle, built by King John of England. Check into our hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Depart Limerick after Mass, with a stop for coffee in Tralee, well-known in song for its ‘rose’! Stretching west from Tralee is the Dingle Peninsula, leading into wilder countryside, stunning scenery, and the abiding presence of the great Atlantic Ocean. It was from this area that St Brendan (487 - 570) a local man, set out on his great voyage. Always a somewhat isolated area, it drew early Christian hermits and other seekers of solitude, for whom this area was ideal. This western section of the peninsula is part of the Gaeltacht, an area where the first language is Irish. During the afternoon we will make a tea-stop. Our final port of call today is Killarney, the gateway to the ring of Kerry, where we check into our hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

After Mass in the Cathedral, depart Killarney for the Ring of Kerry. This is best done clockwise so we leave Killarney and head southwest, passing some of the famous lakes and fells. After Kenmare the road leads along the southern shore of the Iveragh Peninsula, via Sneem, Derrynane, and Waterville. If the weather is clear there are splendid views over the sea and adjacent splendid landscapes. After passing Valencia Island, and through the town of Cahersiveen, the road leads eastwards again on the southern shore of Dingle Bay, with further fine landscapes and sea-scapes to savour and enjoy, or there may be a very close-up view of some fine clouds! Finally, we return via Killarney to Mallow, where after celebrating a vigil Mass in one of the churches, we check into our hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Depart Mallow via Clonmel, visiting the hill of Cashel, the ancient capital of the Kings of Munster and later of the archbishops of Cashel. It was an ecclesiastic centre from early times, the first church was built there by St Declan, a 6th century disciple of St Patrick. Mass at Cormac’s Chapel in St Patrick’s Cathedral. Drive north to Kilkenny for lunch. Onwards to Glendalough, founded by St Kevin, a scion of the House of Munster in the 6th century. The ruined cathedral is 9th century. St Mary’s Church marks the site of St Kevin’s grave. Nearby is the earliest building, St Kevin’s cell. Drive to our hotel in Dublin for overnight stay. Dinner will be at our own choice tonight.

Mass at the Carmelite Church at the Shrine of Our Lady with the pre-reformation image of Our Lady. The rest of the morning will be at leisure to explore Dublin on our own. At noon, the coach will collect us for a transfer to Dublin North Wall from where the ferry departs for Holyhead. Continue by coach to Halewood, and Liverpool.