Day 1: Depart home country
Overnight flight to Dublin or Shannon. Begin reading the life of St Patrick and the Celtic monastic tradition.
Opening commissioning prayer at the gate.
Day 2: Arrive Ireland
Arrive and settle in; gentle orientation and an early night ahead of the touring days.
Opening Mass / devotional service.
Day 3: Glendalough & the Wicklow Mountains
The monastic 'valley of the two lakes' founded by St Kevin — the round tower, ruined churches and the lakeside hermitage amid the Wicklow hills. Allow a half to full day to walk and pray.
Quiet prayer at St Kevin's monastic site; reflection on the hermit's life.
Day 4: Toward the West & Clonmacnoise
Travel west, pausing at Clonmacnoise on the Shannon — one of Ireland's greatest early-monastic cities with its high crosses and churches. A rich half day.
Pray among the high crosses of Clonmacnoise; midday prayer.
Day 5: Knock Shrine
The Marian shrine at Knock, where Our Lady, St Joseph and St John appeared in 1879, now a national sanctuary. A full devotional day at the apparition gable and basilica.
Mass at the Basilica of Knock; pray the rosary at the Apparition Chapel.
Day 6: Croagh Patrick & Westport
The holy mountain of Croagh Patrick, where St Patrick fasted forty days — pilgrims may climb part or all (a strenuous 2–3 hours up; the views over Clew Bay reward the effort), with the harbour town of Westport below.
Pray the Stations on the slopes of Croagh Patrick; reflection on penance and prayer.
Day 7: Connemara & the West
The wild beauty of Connemara — Kylemore Abbey and its lakeside setting, and the Atlantic landscapes that shaped Celtic spirituality. A gentler, scenic day.
Mass or prayer at Kylemore Abbey; thanksgiving for the journey.
Day 8: Depart from Ireland
A final morning before the transfer to the airport for the journey home.
Closing Mass and a Celtic blessing before departure.
