Depart your hometown and take an overnight flight across the Atlantic. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service as you travel to start your vacation.

Land at Dublin Airport, complete customs and immigration formalities before meeting your CIE Tours driver/guide, who will welcome you to Ireland. Have breakfast at a local venue with your group before setting off with a local guide who will show you around Dublin. The city has been moulded through the centuries with many architectural styles, reflecting the economic, political and artistic influences. Stop to tour St. Patrick’s Cathedral, which is almost as old as the city itself and famous for its connections with the brilliantly eccentric Dean Jonathan Swift. Transfer to your nearby hotel, check in and settle into your room. In the evening, join your fellow travellers for dinner in the hotel restaurant.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: TRINITY CITY HOTEL, DUBLIN

This morning, celebrate Mass with your group before heading into County Wicklow. Stop to visit the 6th-century monastic ruins of Glendalough. The visitor centre explains how St. Kevin founded this settlement at a time when Christianity was burgeoning throughout Ireland. Return to Dublin and visit Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin’s oldest building, founded in 1038 by King Sitric. The crypt dates from 1172 and both cathedral and crypt contain remarkable monuments and sculptures. After your visit, you are free for individual pursuits and dining.

OVERNIGHT: TRINITY CITY HOTEL, DUBLIN

Depart Dublin, after Mass with fellow travellers. Travel to the centre of Ireland and visit Clonmacnoise, a monastic settlement was founded in 545. Learn about the history of the site and take a walk around to see the ancient monuments. Continue on to join a local guide for a gentle walking tour of Galway. See the medieval city walls, Lynch’s Castle and the narrow streets. Next, visit the Galway Cathedral, which is currently the youngest European great stone Cathedral built. Then check into your hotel for dinner and your overnight stay.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: HOTEL MEYRICK, GALWAY

Today, celebrate Mass with your group before travelling into the Connemara Region to admire the sweeping views of boglands and misty mountains. As you drive along you will see many sheep that graze freely and also tracts of bogland where some people hand-cut peat for home heating. Stop at Kylemore Abbey for a tour of the elegant mansion and church, set beside a tranquil lake. Learn of the tales of tragedy, romance and royal visits. Also, walk through the magical Victorian walled garden. Return to Galway, where you are free for individual pursuits and dining.

OVERNIGHT: HOTEL MEYRICK, GALWAY

After Mass, travel to the pilgrimage town of Knock. Stop to visit Knock Shrine, one of the world’s leading shrines where the Virgin Mary appeared to 15 people on August 21, 1879. Next, journey to Donegal and visit Donegal Castle, which incorporates the gabled tower of a 15th-century house built by the O’Donnell family. Partially restored, the castle reflects a long and turbulent history. Check into your nearby hotel and settle into your room before dinner with your group.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: MILL PARK HOTEL, DONEGAL

This morning, celebrate Mass with your group before taking a guided walking tour of Derry. See Guildhall, St. Columb’s Cathedral, the Diamond and the 16th-century walls. Then travel via Coleraine to visit the Giant’s Causeway, an impressive area of hexagonal columns formed over 60 million years ago by cooling lava which has given rise to many legends. Next, drive along the coast to experience one of Ireland’s popular scenic routes. Here, you’ll see the “Nine Glens of Antrim” which offer wonderful views of mountains, valleys and coastline. Then travel to Belfast, where you will check in for dinner and your overnight stay.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: EUROPA HOTEL, BELFAST

Enjoy Mass with your group and then take a guided tour of Belfast. See the Albert Memorial, the Opera House and Crown Liquor Saloon. You might also view Linen Hall Library, Belfast waterfront and the imposing City Hall, which was completed in 1906. Visit Belfast Cathedral before having the remainder of the day at leisure.

OVERNIGHT: EUROPA HOTEL, BELFAST

Leaving Belfast, after Mass and travel to Downpatrick. Stop to visit Down Cathedral, where you will see the reputed grave site of Saint Patrick. Then drive to your luxury hotel in Kingscourt and check-in. You will have some time to relax before a superb farewell dinner. The evening concludes with a storytelling session with a local Seanachie.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: CABRA CASTLE HOTEL, KINGSCOURT

Transfer to Dublin Airport to check in for your flight. You may do some last minute shopping at the duty-free stores before boarding your aircraft and flying back to your hometown.