When I was a kid I was obsessed with a NatGeo documentary film called “Ballad of the Irish Horse.” I can still picture the yellow video cassette with a shaggy grey Connemara pony on the front. I would watch and rewatch this dramatic saga of country life in Ireland - windswept hills, sheepdogs and ponies, rocky coastlines, wide open fields, farmers with gleaming eyes and charming Irish brogues. Magic.
The other show I loved to watch was the Travel Channel’s “Passport to Europe” with Samantha Brown. Sam was this down to earth lady with an easy smile and I loved to watch her jaunt around medieval town squares and chat with locals over a brew. I still remember the episode where she visited the Irish Coast - she saw a shepherd take his flock far out over the hills, stood on ragged cliffs, sat on stone walls and heard old folktales. Again - Magic.1
Samantha Brown’s travels, the mythology of the Irish horse, and my own ancestral claims to Ireland meant that this was the first country I locked onto as the place I needed to visit. I did a lot of daydreaming, a lot of hoping and wishing for adventures abroad.
I’m very lucky that I’ve been able to make my way across the Atlantic a number of times now and to no one’s surprise the place my then-boyfriend now-husband and I chose for our wandering post-college graduation travel was Ireland. I’ve written before about the adventures that awaited us as phone-free hapless travelers, about the incredible kindness of the people we met and what the Irish taught me.
Ireland is a place of stunning natural beauty, storied history, and genuinely kind people. It is a country of tall pints,2 good whiskey, and (perhaps not unrelatedly) excellent conversation. It is a land where the Church found fertile soil, a country of deep faith and tradition. Here is the land where St. Patrick, St. Kevin, St. Columba, St Brigid, and so many other great saints walked and preached and prayed.
and Born of Wonder is heading to Ireland Oct 2-11 2024!
Can you believe this is happening? I’m pinching myself! We will be traveling through some of the most stunning, poetic, theologically rich regions of the world. And I’m so excited that Christy Isinger3 has signed on to co-lead this tour with me.
Christy was the host of the very popular Fountains of Carrots podcast and currently writes over on her Substack Necessary Judgements with Christy Isinger. She’s a sharp-witted, no-nonsense homeschooling mom of 5, writer of amazing book reviews, bearer of much theological insight, and most importantly, just a really down-to-earth, fun person ready to explore with us. She has also worked with the pilgrimage company, Select International, before, co-leading a trip through literary England with Haley Stewart. She can vouch for the professionalism and quality of Select’s tours and is so excited to be traveling with them again.
Some of the incredible highlights of the tour include -
The famous Kilbeggan Whisky Distillery
The Marian Shrine at Knock
Hiking to the top of Croagh Patrick, St. Patrick’s Holy Mountain where he fasted for 40 days and nights
A traditional sheep-herding demonstration with the Joyce Country Sheepdogs
Afternoon tea at Ashford Castle
Traditional live music in the heart of the countryside
The Rock of Cashel, the home of kings and queens for over 900 years
Holy Cross Abbey
The famously stunning monastery founded by St. Kevin at Glendalough
The Cliffs of Moher
Irish coffee making demonstration
St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Trinity College to see the Book of Kells
A Literary Pub Tour through Dublin
The Guinness Factory
and this is just scratching the surface. Make sure you download the brochure for even more details about the incredible experiences that await us.
I know that signing up for a trip like this requires a lot of thought and consideration. There’s finances, work, childcare, and a thousand other things that might make you think “well, I wish I could…” And maybe this isn’t the season for a big trip, but maybe if you open the door of possibility you might be surprised by what happens. I know I was.
The idea for this pilgrimage came to me quite out of the blue, very ‘strike of lightning’ type thing. So very gently, very quietly, I started asking a few questions, talking to a few people, and suddenly, there was a wonderful co-leader, a supportive team at Select, and a truly fantastic itinerary all lined up. It was happening.4 So if you think about it, pray about it, and it seems like something that might be meant to be, just nudge open the door - talk to your family, crunch some numbers, see what’s possible. And if you have any questions at all, don’t hesitate to reach out to me or Christy directly.
A few questions I thought some of you might have -
Why October?
Born of Wonder listeners/readers and I are kindred spirits. This means many of you come alive after the drudgery of hot summer months. Autumn has always been the season of possibility for me, of trying new things, exploring new places. And though there may be some of you who (much to my amazement) prefer warm weather, I think you’ll find October is an excellent month to travel abroad. For one thing, we are missing the huge crowds. It’s cheaper, it’s quieter, and in Ireland, the weather is great - averaging around 54 degrees F with just as much sunshine as any summer month (which, granted, isn’t a ton - this is Ireland - but averages around 4 hours a day). Besides we aren’t the sort of people who mind a little rain, right?
Also in my case, and in the case of many people I discussed this with, our summers get so busy so fast, with kids out of school, family travel, and so on, Fall seemed much more realistic and doable for most people.
What is a pilgrimage versus a trip?
I’ll admit, when I think of a pilgrimage I’m picturing Kristin Lavransdatter all dressed down and penitent, carrying her baby over rocks in her bare feet. Or I’m picturing those people who walk miles on their knees to a sacred shrine.5 And this is certainly one kind of pilgrimage. But generally a pilgrimage is defined as a journey taken for religious purposes. A pilgrim is a wayfarer, a traveler, who is seeking. A pilgrimage is all about intention. And it is truly my intention with this trip to connect fellow wanderers, those of us searching for connection, for a reawakening or even an initial discovery of faith.
A pilgrimage requires leaving - taking the chance, taking the trip, journeying far from home, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This is an experience that will astound and shock you with beauty. We will celebrate Mass in ancient places, whispering prayers where the veil is so thin - saints walked here, prayed here, hoped here. We will touch these places with our hands. We will climb mountains and eat together and learn from one another. This isn’t a vacation. It is a journey and a challenge and a total immersion as we seek and hope and pray, together, fellow pilgrims on our way toward something holy and good.
I won’t know anyone… Should I be worried?
No! Honestly in some ways I think it can be even better to not know anyone going into a trip like this. I have done group trips before and left with lifelong friends. When you are thrown out of your element and meet people with similar hopes and dreams, who are seeking just like you, you will be astounded at the depth of connection you can make. Besides - you know me! :)
I know from the messages you all send me that there is a diverse readership here. There are fellow parents of young kids6, Catholics, non-Catholics, single people, married couples, students, retirees, even some religious sisters and priests. Any one of you will feel welcomed and right at home on this trip.
What’s the pace/style?
While we are definitely going to be getting our money’s worth, seeing our fair share of religious, literary, and natural wonders, Christy and I also really wanted to make sure we built in leisure time. This means there are still some afternoons where you will be free to explore a town on your own (and/or with your new group of friends!). We will be doing a fair amount of walking and hiking so you should be prepared for that, but we will also be having High Tea and listening to fiddle music in pubs, so there will be lots of balance.
Do you have to be Catholic?
No! I would say that you probably should be Catholic-sympathetic or Catholic-interested. We will be visiting the famous Marian Shrine at Knock and celebrating Mass a number of times throughout our pilgrimage. We will also be visiting holy sites like St. Patrick’s Mountain and The Monastery at Glendalough. Certainly these are sites of historic interest as well, but we will be visiting them prayerfully, with open hearts and minds.
This is the sort of tour that would have thrilled me as a non-religious agnostic with an aesthetic crush on the Church, so if you’re one of those types, you will likely find many things up your alley. I also think if you’re a member of another Christian denomination you will find much that is spiritually meaningful to you. All that being said, if you are Catholic, this is like a Disney-lovers trip to Disney World- It really can’t get any better.
If you’re fully convinced, head on over and sign up. Truly, I really can’t think of a better way to start 2024 - knowing that later this year, we’ll be jetting off on a pilgrimage to Ireland. I would be so incredibly thrilled if you joined us. I’m so ready to explore this beautiful region of the world. I just know there’s some incredible experiences in store for us.7
Looking forward to toasting over a pint later this year!
Cheers and Slainte to that!
Katie
Download the brochure
Sign up!
Maybe this gives you a glimpse into the kind of kid I was.
My favorite brews in order: Guinness, Harp, Smithwicks.
Christy came on the podcast last summer and we chatted all about the golden age of the internet, how podcasting gives you an excuse to talk to anybody, and why the monarchy is a force for good. You can listen to that episode here.
And many kudos to my wonderfully supportive husband who didn’t even blink when I proposed this idea, and instead absolutely urged me to go ahead with it. I think his words were something along the lines of - “we all need some adventures” - Yes, we do!
I will not stop you from wearing a hair shirt or walking barefoot, just be careful ;)
And just a small aside - if you’re a fellow parent of young kids, I know how hard it is to swing something like this, but I really believe you might need this more than anyone. Travel opens our minds and our hearts so that we can come home refreshed, with renewed energy and love to give to our families. You simply can’t pour from an empty cup.
And please feel free to share details for the trip with anyone else you might think would be interested!
Fun! I led a very similar pilgrimage this past summer and it was glorious. Tip: Bring REALLY good hiking shoes for Croagh Patrick. I was surprised how intense it was!
Oh my goodness, I have a Guinness photo almost exactly like that from when I studied abroad in Ireland in 2012! Such great memories. Sadly I don’t think I’ll be able to make it work, but I’ll keep the pilgrimage and pilgrims in my prayers!