May 20 to June 2, 2013 – 14 Days/13 Nights – Small Group
Tour offered in cooperation with Ancient Sacred Sites Tours
To See Our Current Trip to Ireland – September, 2016 –
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Tour Highlights:
- Two Days with Feargal Gallagher exploring Ireland Sacred Sites including Hill of Tara and Loughcrew
- Cait Branigan will be travelling and working with us in South West Ireland
- Ann Mason will be conducting healing meditations and rituals in the Glendalough plus assisting all the facilitators.
- Meditations & rituals within Ireland’s hidden Stones circles & sacred sites
- Dublin
- Book of Kells
- Evening at The National Folk Theatre (Samsa Tire)
- Newgrange Passage Tomb and Dromberg Stone Circle
- Irish Pubs & Music
- Glendalough—ancient monastic settlement
Irish Spirituality has always had a close association with the Ancient Goddesses and Celtic heritage because unlike many other ancient lands, Ireland has never forgotten its past or history. In tales handed down from generation to generation, Ireland enriched its past and saw glory in what it was and where it was going.
Ireland is a land of hidden mysteries, with many places of interest. Perhaps the most intriguing and awe-inspiring is Newgrange Passage Tomb, which is older than the Pyramids of Egypt and Stonehenge. However, there are many other places rich in history and legend, healing and spirituality.
Connect on a spiritual level with many of these places, as we explore Ireland’s sacred landscapes, which are an intricate part of Ireland’s myths and legends. Journey to the Hill of Tara where Lia Fail (the Stone of Destiny) sits. The High King of Ireland was crowned at Lia Fail and legend has it that when the rightful King was crowned it roared granting its approval.
Scattered across Ireland are constant reminders of an era when ‘nature and magic’ ruled. It is easy to imagine white-robed Druid priests performing rituals and brewing magic potions. Preceding this Celtic era was the Neolithic age, which left Ireland with many sacred passage tombs, stone circles and dolmens connecting us to the past that even today we do not truly understand. Whilst many people today may see death as the end, these Ancient people (including the Celts) saw it as the beginning of a new life; therefore they celebrated both life and death.
Across Ireland there are numerous passage tombs with their own secrets and mysteries, many of them are aligned with the rising and setting Sun on sacred celebrations such as the winter and summer solstices and the spring and autumn equinoxes. These sacred sites were used for initiation into the mysteries of their religion and were places of ritual to worship Mother Earth and Father Sun.
To recapture those experiences of connecting to Mother Earth and to feel the sheer power of these sacred places, we will be spending two days with Irish facilitator Feargal Gallagher, exploring and learning Irish folklore and Wicca. We visit the Hill of Tara and Loughcrew also known as Sliabh Na Cailli (Hill of the Witch).
The tour stays in six locations: Dublin, Glendalough, Trim, Kenmare, Tralee and Ennis.
Our first night we will be staying in Dublin to allow you to enjoy Dublin’s many attractions including the Book of Kells—a 9th century illuminated manuscript and visit the National Museum of Ireland which introduces us to the Neolithic, Celtic and Viking ages so we can appreciate the ancient and sacred places of Ireland.
We then travel down to Trim, a small town in the Boyne area. Trim Castle dominates the town, as it the largest Norman Castle in Ireland. “Braveheart” was filmed in this location, using Trim Castle. This location allows us easy access to the Hill of Tara, Kells, Loughcrew, Newgrange and Dublin.
After exploring the Boyne Valley we then travel down to Glendalough and will be spending two days exploring this is magical place—an ancient monastic settlement tucked between two dark lakes and over shadowed by sheer walls of a deep valley. Within this settlement is one of the Round Towers, which are found throughout Ireland.
For our next stage of the journey, we return to Dublin .We then take a train across Ireland to Kenmare in the South West.
We will be based in Kenmare, which allows us time to visit the Ring of Beare with its hidden stone circles, and take the opportunity to enjoy and relax through meditation and healing.
The tour includes free time both at Dublin and Kenmare to explore, rest or shop. During our trip we experience Irish Pubs and music.
We be staying in Guesthouses, Irish Bed and Breakfasts or small Hotels. These may be a Georgian residence, a modern bungalow or a traditional cottage. The informal atmosphere and personal attention are features of the Irish Bed and Breakfasts. Most meals are included but there will be opportunities to eat out on your own.
Facilitators
Ann Mason
During the 1980s she developed an interest in natural therapies, astrology, tarot, meditation and spiritual healing. Over time this has developed into a deep passion.
In 1992 she obtained both her Diploma of Aromatherapy and Certificate in Flower Essence Therapy. Subsequently in 1993 she joined the IFA (International Federation of Aromatherapist). In 1996 she became Treasurer of the IFA National Council. While serving on Council she was elected as Director of National Council of Massage & Allied Practitioners. She held both these positions until she retired in March, 2000.
In 1988 she began teaching, conducting workshops and classes in Aromatherapy, Spiritual and Psychic Development, Meditation and Tarot. Over the period she has also been running her own business retailing books and essential oils. In 1996 she obtained her Reiki 1 and 2 and then in 1997 went on to become a Reiki and Seichim Master. Since then she has run workshops in Reiki 1 & 2, and maintains a clinic as an Aromatherapist and Reiki Practitioner.
Born and raised in Wiltshire, she has always been interested in her Ancient and Celtic heritage which has now drawn her to Druidry. She is at present studying in the Bardic Grade of The Order of Bards Ovates and Druids. (UK order). Over the next few years she will gradually progress into the Druid Grade.
She has always had a love of travel, ancient sites and working with individuals or groups. Ancient & Sacred Sites Tours offers the opportunity to combine these three elements she looks forward to sharing my knowledge and passion of these areas with you.
Cait Branigan is an Ordained Priestess Hierophant of the Western Mystery Tradition, a Bean Feasa (Shamanic Practitioner) and Healer working within the traditions of Ireland. She works with individuals at her healing centre in Co. Wexford. She also teaches groups and conducts ceremonies throughout the country and internationally, work which includes Women’s Mysteries, the facilitation of Rites of Passage and sweat lodges within the Irish Tradition. She is an Ovate with the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids and a member of the Fellowship of Isis.
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 off 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
You actually “feel” the places that you go on your tours and learn so much from the places themselves. We are not just “tourist” but pilgrims. A much better way to travel. As well as learning about Ireland, I have learnt so much about myself. Love always.
– Lara Cutting, Perth Australia