Religious Studies: Ireland

Venture beyond Galway to experience the mystical landscapes of Connemara, where the Irish language still drifts through the air. Take in the rugged beauty of rocky beaches, rippling bogs, and heather-covered hills that seem untouched by time. Continue to Kylemore Abbey, a fairytale estate nestled along the shores of Lough Corrib. Explore its elegant rooms, meet the Benedictine nuns who maintain the property, and stroll through its fragrant Victorian gardens. As Yeats wrote of this tranquil land, “peace comes dropping slow.”

Explore Ireland’s holy mountain, Croagh Patrick, named for St. Patrick because he spent forty days fasting and praying for the Irish here. We will make the trek to the summit to visit the modern chapel and enjoy the spectacular panoramic views over Clew Bay. The Teach na Miasa Cultural Center has much to offer those who prefer to stay at the base of the mountain.

Visit the small town of Knock, one of Europe’s most important Catholic pilgrimage sites. Once a quiet rural village, Knock became internationally known after an apparition of the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, and St. John the Evangelist was reported on the gable of the parish church in 1879. Explore the Shrine of Our Lady of Knock and its museum, and learn how this historic event transformed the town into a place of faith, reflection, and pilgrimage for thousands of visitors each year.

Visit the Dominican Friary, Sligo Abbey, founded in 1253 and known for its beautifully carved stone high altar. This remarkable altar is the only example to survive in any monastic church.

Visit Tobernalt Holy Well to see the cliff well long associated with healing waters. Dating back to Celtic times, this sacred site continues to serve as a place of pilgrimage within the Christian tradition.

Pay a visit to Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh, standing proudly atop the hill from which the city of Armagh takes its name, "Ard Macha" meaning the Hill of Macha. According to tradition, St. Patrick founded a church on this site in 445. The cathedral’s current plan dates to 1268 and was designed by Archbishop O’Scanlain. Originally built as a Catholic cathedral, St. Patrick’s later became part of the Church of Ireland during the Reformation.

Founded around 1180 by the Norman conqueror John de Courcy, this Cistercian monastery reflects the shifting political and cultural landscape of medieval Ireland. Established by English monks who did not permit Irishmen to join their order, the abbey played a role in reshaping the area’s population and influence, offering insight into the region’s complex Norman and Irish history.

Get a friendly introduction to Dublin with your Tour Director. Cross the Ha’Penny Bridge, stroll through the lively Temple Bar district, and stop at the Molly Malone statue. Along the way, see Georgian squares, castles, and cathedrals that showcase the character of Ireland’s capital.

Join a licensed guide to explore Dublin’s finest sights. Walk through Phoenix Park, Europe’s largest walled city park, home to red deer and the Phoenix Column. Visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where Ireland’s patron saint once baptized converts, and see O’Connell Street and Parnell Square. At Trinity College, Ireland’s oldest university, enter the Old Library’s Long Room to view the Book of Kells, an illuminated 9th-century manuscript of the four Gospels, famed for its intricate Celtic designs.

Visit the national cathedral of the Church of Ireland, built on a site traditionally linked to St. Patrick’s early baptisms. A church has stood here since around 450 CE, making it the oldest Christian site in Dublin. The cathedral is primarily Early English in style and features an impressive 300-foot-long interior. It also houses the largest ringing peal of bells in Ireland and is closely associated with Jonathan Swift, who served as dean from 1713 to 1745 and is buried in the south aisle.

Established in 1890, this museum offers a sweeping look at Ireland’s heritage from 2000 BC to the present. Explore some of the country’s most important historical discoveries, including the Treasury exhibition featuring the Ardagh Chalice, Tara Brooch, and Cross of Cong. Additional highlights include artifacts from the Wood Quay excavations of early Dublin settlements and an extensive collection of Irish Bronze Age gold ornaments dating from 2200 to 700 BC.