Tour offered in cooperation with Ancient Sacred Sites Tours
May 20 to June 2, 2013
Click Here for Tour Overview and Facilitators’ Biographies
Day One – Monday, May 20
The tour begins in Dublin where you will be picked up from Dublin Airport and transferred to a Dublin Hotel. Here you will have a chance to settle into your accommodation, unwind and / or explore Dublin at your own leisure. We have a welcome dinner and a great chance to meet and get to know each other! Accommodation: The Gresham Hotel, Dublin. Meals Included: Dinner.
Day Two – Tuesday, May 21
We will visit Trinity College which houses the Book of Kells and then to the National Museum of Ireland where you are magically transported back to 7000 BC, including examples of Celtic & Medieval Art, which is the finest collection of prehistoric gold artifacts in Europe.
We travel from Dublin to Trim – this is a medieval town that houses the largest 13th Century Anglo-Norman Castle. The castle was used in Mel Gibson’s film “Braveheart,” This will be our base for 4 nights. Accommodation: Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim. Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner.
Day Three – Wednesday, May 22
From Trim we travel to the Boyne Valley, the site of three megalithic Passage Tombs—Knowth, Dowth and Newgrange. These were built over 5000 years ago. They are truly remarkable remnants of a highly evolved society. Both ritual and settlement were centred around the tombs throughout the Bronze Age, Iron Age and Early Christian time. So that we can truly appreciate Knowth and Newgrange, only limited numbers of people are taken from the visitors centre by mini bus. We will have the opportunity to explore Dowth, which is still covered with grass, and not been excavated. After a day here, we then return to Trim. Accommodation: Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim. Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner.
Day Four & Five – Thursday and Friday, May 23 and 24
We will meet Feargal Gallagher today. Together we explore the ancient and sacred sites in the County Meath such as Loughcrew, Hill of Tara and Fourknocks.
We will listen and learn about the legends and fairy lore connected to these sites. We will at some of the places we visit have the opportunity for meditation, healing and rituals. We will also see the High Cross of Kells and the Holy Wells of Kells. Accommodation: Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim. Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner on both days.
Day Six & Seven – Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26
We leave Dublin and head for the Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough, situated in a most beautiful valley.
We will be staying here 2 days, so that you can enjoy this serene setting, which is also the setting for St. Kevin’s monastery. The monastery was founded in the 6th century and has the distinctive round towers, which are found throughout Ireland. In this beautiful place, we can explore the area allowing us time to relax and connect to our inner world. Accommodation Trooperstown Wood Lodge. Meals Included Breakfast and Dinner.
Day Eight – Monday, May 27
We will travel by train down to Killarney where we will be taken by bus to the picturesque town of Kenmare. The Kenmare’s Gaelic name is Neidin (little nest) called because it nestles amongst the mountains of Cork and Kerry.
We will be based here for 4 nights, as it is a perfect setting for exploring the South West Ireland. To enjoy spending our 4 days in comfort, the accommodation will be several cottages that allow us private sitting room, own patio, and time too caught up on that laundry.
Cait Branigan will join us for our next stage of our sacred journey. Cait Branigan, who lives and works with this spiritual land, will be working with us, throughout our time in the South West Ireland, allowing us to understand this ancient land. Accommodation: Kenmare Bay Homes, Kenmare. Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner.
Day Nine – Tuesday, May 28
You have a full day to yourselves in Kenmare. This will give you the opportunity to rest or explore Kenmare with its many craft shops and visit its own stone circle which is very close to the town. You may like to visit Kenmare’s Heritage centre which reflects the history of the area. Accommodation: Kenmare Bay Homes, Kenmare. Meals Included: Breakfast.
Day Ten – Wednesday, May 29
Today we travel around the Ring of Beara. It has its own natural beauty that has been almost untouched by the human hand. It is not over-commercialised like many other tourist areas, and looks as if time has stood still. This area is rich in historical and archaeological places of interest including many hidden stone circles. This isolated area gives us a perfect opportunity to meditate, experiment with dowsing rods while learning about, and experiencing, the stone circles. Accommodation: Kenmare Bay Homes, Kenmare. Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner.
Day Eleven – Thursday, May 30
Today we head toward West Cork to visit the impressive Drombeg Stone Circle, dating back to 100 BC—with its winter solstice (21st December) sunset alignment. Whilst journeying we pass through specular mountain scenery. Accommodation: Kenmare Bay Homes, Kenmare. Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner.
Day Twelve – Friday, May 31
It is now time to leave our Kenmare base and head for Tralee via the Dingle peninsula made famous by the film Ryan’s Daughter. As well as the beautiful scenery the Dingle peninsula has a number of ring forts, high crosses and other ancient monuments. Tralee is home to The National Folk Theatre (Siamsa Tire). In the evening we will enjoy a stage theatrical entertainment of music, dance and folklore that has evolved in Ireland from the earliest time to the present.
The 2012 production was OILEÁN – Celebrating the Blasket Islands, this production celebrates life on the Blasket Islands, exploring the way of life of the islanders and their spirit of survival. The 2013 performance is still to be announced. Accommodation: Ballygarry Hotel, Tralee Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner.
Day Thirteen – Saturday, June 1
Our final destination is Ennis, with its narrow streets, old shops and pubs. Before we reach there we visit Lough Gur which dates back to around 3000 BC. Then finally arriving at Ennis, a medieval town for our last night in Ireland, there you have time to pick up those last minute presents before leaving tomorrow. Accommodation: Old Ground Hotel, Ennis. Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner.
Day Fourteen – Sunday, June 2
Our memorable journey ends at Shannon Airport or you may chose to extend your stay in Ireland. Meals Included: Breakfast.
What an amazing 2 weeks! The time and effort and intent you put into planning the tour was so evident – thank you for choosing such awesome places and such incredible people to work with us.I enjoyed it all and am glad to have spent time with this wonderful group of women, exploring beautiful Ireland and its history.
– Lynette USA
Note: This tour is now a Guaranteed Departure. There are only a few spaces left.
Tour Includes:
- All accommodation on twin-shared basis in Guest Houses, Hotels, Cottages (13 nights/ 14 days)
- Breakfasts (13), Evening Meals (12)
- All transportation within Ireland is by mini-coach and train
- Pick up at Dublin Airport and drop of at Shannon
- All facilitators Cait Branigan, Ann Mason & Feargal Gallagher
- All entrance fees
- Commemorative 80 page booklet, plus all other materials used
- Booking Guarantee Certificate issued by Travel Trust Association
What is Not Included:
- Airfare to UK
- Entry Visa to Ireland (if required)
- Cost to obtain valid passport
- Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers, bellboys, waiters, etc.
- Any items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks and telephone calls. Any item that is not specifically detailed on our website or in the final retreat itinerary.
Please read the Terms and Conditions for this tour.
TOUR PRICES:
** Bonus! SAVE! You will receive a 5% discount if ALL payments are made by check or money order. This discounted price is noted below in red.
Price Per Person (Land Only – does not include airfare)
$4,599 payments via check or money order
$4,840 payments via credit card
Limited Single Supplement
$659 payments via check or money order
$695 payments via credit card
Deposit
$825 payments via check or money order
$869 payments via credit card
Single Supplement payable with the deposit.
Final Payment due March 5, 2013
Travel Insurance:
Body Mind Spirit Journeys highly recommends the purchase of Trip Cancellation/Interruption Travel Insurance, and we therefore provide you with an easy way to contact BMSJ’s preferred insurance provider, Allianz Global Assistance.
If you need additional information or have questions, please call Allianz directly at 800-284-8300, and refer to code F025323.