Mark your calendars!
Zoom Ireland Chat, the final countdown, and the dream itinerary we still can't believe is happening
Katie and Christy here, letting you know that…
The countdown is on!
When this email hits your inbox we are 91 days away from jetting off to Ireland for the ‘Irish Wisdom and Wonder Tour.’
We have seven spots left to round out our trip and we just know that at least one of you reading this is meant to be in one of those spots. To answer any questions you have and to discuss logistics and just some fun Irish related things We are hosting a Zoom Wednesday, July 10th, at 7:30PM EST. Mark your calendar!
Here is the link to join the call:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/73740705753?pwd=y65bbbbGWJwf9ggIS9yrB1ajlSXlYq.1
Meeting ID: 737 4070 5753
Passcode: Yn7Y3d
We’ll talk about —
Logistics - how it works when you sign up/ what you need to plan for
How we're planning for time away from our families/work/home etc. (Christy has 5 kids, Katie has two [and a farm] - how are we making this happen!?)
Specifically what we're each most excited for
What is so great about traveling in the fall/October
What we both love about Ireland (favorite Irish movies, culture, background, anything)
Favorite Irish saints!
If you have any questions you’d like us to answer, really anything at all, leave a comment or just hit reply to this email! Also make sure you’re following along with Christy who will be soliciting some questions on Instagram!
This is truly a dream itinerary and an amazing value for your money.
Here’s what you can expect when you join us on this trip:
On Wednesday, October 2nd, we’ll stretch our legs in Dublin and then head straight to Kilbeggan Distillery, a traditional Irish whiskey distillery situated on the River Brosna. Kilbeggan is the oldest distillery in the world, dating back to 1757. (I don’t know about you but nothing helps my jet lag like amazing whiskey!) After toasting to our upcoming travels we’ll settle in for dinner and a well-earned night of rest.
After a chance to sleep in, we’ll head to Knock, Ireland’s national Marian Shrine. On the 21st of August, 1879, Our Lady, St. Joseph, and St. John the Evangelist appeared at the south gable of Knock Parish Church. Fifteen people, young and old, witnessed this apparition. From this miraculous occurrence, Knock has grown to the status of an internationally recognized Marian Shrine. We’ll have the opportunity to celebrate Mass at the Shrine. Then we’ll explore Westport, a lovely Georgian town with fine-stoned bridges, tree-lined promenades, and many stories to tell. We find Rockfleet Castle and Burrishoole Abbey in the heart of the town. We may learn about the Pirate Queen of Ireland, Grace O’Malley, or visit Mescan Brewery or the famous Matt Malloy’s (of the Chieftains) Pub with traditional Irish music.
The following day is an adventurous day! We’ll be hiking Croagh Patrick, the Holy Mountain St. Patrick climbed, where he spent 40 days praying and fasting. Today we follow in the footsteps of St. Patrick, hiking to the top of the mountain. On the mountain’s slopes, we enjoy a picnic lunch our hotel has packed for us. In the afternoon we’ll explore the epicenter of Irish music and culture, Galway.
The following day starts with Mass in a local church before a scenic drive through Connemara before meeting a local, Oliver Connell, who will be welcoming us to his home for home-baked treats, poetry, storytelling, and, most importantly, live music in his family kitchen. And then a real highlight, the famous Cliffs of Moher in the afternoon before warming up with a traditional Irish coffee demonstration. And then a Bunratty Medieval Dinner! Wow, what a day!!!
The next day we drive to see the magnificent Rock of Cashel, which was the seat of kings and bishops for 900 years and flourished until the early 17th century. We stop at the Holy Cross Abbey for a visit before arriving at Glendalough, a monastic site founded by St. Kevin. Famed for its beautiful scenery and historical monuments, Glendalough has been a center for pilgrims and visitors from the time of the founding of its monastery by St. Kevin in the 6th Century.
The next day we have a panoramic sightseeing tour of Dublin, including O’Connell Street, Phoenix Park, Leinster House, and the famous Irish doors. We visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Trinity College to see the Book of Kells, the Old Library, and the National Library. In the afternoon, we can explore on our own or have the opportunity to meet mutual friend/amazing podcast host of Risking Enchantment Rachel Sherlock for a ‘locals tour’ of Dublin and a chance to chat over a pint!
The next day we celebrate Mass before driving to the Storehouse, originally built in 1904 to house the Guinness fermentation process. The core of the building is modeled on a giant pint glass. The tour takes us step by step through the brewing process, finishing at the Gravity Bar, where we can taste a pint of Guinness while enjoying panoramic views over Dublin City. The afternoon is ours to soak in our last day in Ireland, before all getting together for a farewell dinner at a local pub where we enjoy pub food and good Irish music.
On Friday, October 11th it’s time to head to the airport and back home, with a lifetime worth of memories and some new friends to boot.
We told you - IT’S AMAZING!!!
We really hope you’ll consider joining us and if you have any interest/curiosity please join us for an informal Zoom chat to answer any questions/concerns you may have.
Cheers and Slainte!!!
Katie and Christy
Download the brochure / Commonly asked questions / Sign up!
Check out some of our past posts about the trip to learn more
the real reason I wanted to go to Ireland
Fun video chat we did about the trip!
10 Unheralded Reasons Why Travel Is Good For You As An Adult
Listen
— a special Born of Wonder podcast episode exploring a medley of stories, with audio taken from the many episodes Katie has done in the past on Celtic legends and folklore, including the story of Oisin and Niamh and the land of Tir na Nog, the land of Eternal Youth, and Oisin's famed debate with St. Patrick.
We'll learn about the abandoned Irish island of Blasket and get lost in some eerie beautiful Selkie stories. We explore the famous and outstandingly beautiful Book of Kells, once described as 'the work of angels, not of man.' We'll hear about one of Ireland's patron saints' St. Columbia and how he rebuked the Loch Ness Monster and at the end of the episode we'll enjoy some Yeats poetry readings.