Join Mara Freeman on a mystical odyssey through sacred Ireland to explore some of the most beautiful and inspirational landscapes of this enchanted isle. From prehistoric temples of stone to fairy-haunted glens, healing springs to medieval abbeys, this is a journey to open us to the soul of an ancient and inimitable country, and perhaps also awaken long-forgotten ancestral memories of our own.
Free travel for you!
If you gather your own group together, we may be able to customize this tour for you according to your requirements - and you travel free.
The Pilgrimage
Our journey starts in the magical southwest at the faery landscape of Lough Gur, and continues to the legendary Lakes of Killarney, including visits to many hidden treasures of Ireland's ancient heritage: sheela-na-gigs, holy wells, ruined abbeys, druidic groves and stone circles. We visit the Beare Peninsula, a wild and unspoilt landscape that is home to many pristine Neolithic and Bronze Age ritual sites, including the shrine of the Hag of Beare, the old goddess of this land. Then on to explore the spectacular coastal scenery of the Dingle Peninsula, where the ruins of early Celtic monasteries, ogham stones and beehive dwellings lie scattered across the moors, and the Great Blasket Island awaits, a short boat trip away.
We then travel over the River Shannon to the Burren in County Clare, a unique limestone area of filled with many rare wildflowers, and dotted with the megaliths and ringforts of a vanished civilization, including the famous Poulnabrone dolmen. A ferry ride takes us to Inishmore, an island of dramatic scenery and rich archaeological sites, including the spectacular clifftop fort of Dún Aenghus and the smallest church in the world.
Over to the east of Ireland, we explore the Loughcrew Cairns on the Hill of the Hag, gateways into the womb of the Earth goddess, inscribed with extraordinary sacred symbols. By way of the early settlement of Monasterboice, with its ornately decorated high crosses, we reach the Boyne Valley to witness the most mysterious and awe-inspiring Neolithic ceremonial sites of ancient Ireland: Brú na Bóinne, (Newgrange) and Knowth: Earth Temples filled with astonishing spiralic art. Our journey culminates with a Druidic ceremony on the Hill of Tara, the royal sacred center of Ireland.
Ireland is a land richly endowed with a treasury of myth and story. Mara has been coming to Ireland for over 30 years and is steeped in its rich mythical history and legends, which she will share through talks, meditations and ritual. Knowledgeable local guides will also lead us on explorations of the landscape and its lore.
Your itinerary:
Day One
We meet at the small, friendly Shannon Airport on Ireland's west coast, and drive south to Lough Gur. This beautiful lake with its two medieval castles, Celtic ring-forts and megalithic remains is said to be an entrance into the magical realm of Tír-na-n'Óg, the 'Land of the Ever-Living.' Close by is the stone circle known as the Lios or the Grange – the largest in Ireland – where we will have our opening circle to connect both with each other and the spirits of Ireland herself. After lunch in the heritage town of Adare, we head south to Killarney and our peaceful country guesthouse situated right inside the National Park. In the evening, there will be time to enjoy a stroll to the medieval friary with its ancient yew trees.
Day Two
Today we explore the incomparable beauty of Killarney's lakes and mountains by boat. We leave from Ross Castle, spectacularly situated on the lake shore of Lough Leane, stopping off on the way for a visit to the lovely little island of Inisfallen, where we can wander among the atmospheric ruins of its 7th century abbey. After lunch at Lord Brandon’s Cottage, you will have a choice of walking or traveling by pony and trap through the mountain pass known as the Gap of Dunloe, surrounded by the magnificent mountain scenery, waterfalls and rivers of the McGillycuddy Reeks. On the way back to the hotel, we stop at some fine examples of ogham stones.
Day Three
We start the day at the Seven Sisters, a mysterious circle of stones known for their healing properties. Then we take the road past the Paps of Anu, the mountains that form the breasts of the Mother Goddess of Kerry. Our destination is the picturesque ruined abbey of Ballyvourney, with its sheela-na-gig and lovely holy well dedicated to St. Gobnait, a local aspect of the goddess and saint, Brighid. Here we will perform the traditional customs and rituals of blessing and healing. Then we head for Killarney Town for lunch and an afternoon of your choice: Stroll around the town, visit the historical house and folk-life museum of Muckross House in the National Park, or take a Druid tree walk with Mara among the groves by the lakeshore.
Day Four
Today, we visit the attractive town of Kenmare, which has its own stone circle. After a browse through its eclectic shops and craft galleries followed by lunch, it’s westwards to the Beare Peninsula, a wild and unspoilt landscape that is home to many pristine Neolithic and Bronze Age sites set amidst spectacular mountain scenery. We will visit a little-known stone circle in a beautiful setting, then make a pilgrimage via the tallest ogham stone in Ireland to the ancient rock shrine of the Hag of Beare, the old goddess of this land, who is still visited by pilgrims today. Our return journey takes us over the spectacular mountain pass known as Moll’s Gap with a stop at the famous Torc waterfall.
Day Five
We journey to the Dingle Peninsula, a part of the Gaeltacht, or Irish-speaking region. Here we meet up with T.P. O’ Conchuir, our inimitable guide, a Dingle native and authority on local folklore and archaeology. We take the road to Slea Head, with its breathtaking panoramas of mountains, sea and sky, and after lunch at a cliff-top cottage and weavers’ studio, visit some of Dingle's extraordinary array of 2,000 ancient sites, dating from the Neolithic through early Christian times, including bee-hive huts, carved Celtic crosses and the 8th century Gallarus' Oratory, one of the finest examples of an early Christian church to be found in Ireland. Circling back to Dingle Town, we arrive at our award-winning guesthouse with its fine harbor views.
Day Six
In this spectacular area, we provide a day of options for you to choose from: You may wish to take a short ferry ride to the Great Blasket Islands, the most westerly point in Europe, once home to many literary geniuses; stride out along the cliffs to the lighthouse; climb Mount Brandon where St Brendan the Navigator set forth across the Atlantic; take a boat trip from Dingle pier to see Fungi, the wild Bottlenose Dolphin who has made his home in the harbor, or simply enjoy the unique little harbor town with its many shops, galleries, craft centers, cafés, pubs and street musicians. Whichever you choose, we will help you get there!
Day Seven
Today we journey north to County Clare over the River Shannon. We will visit Brighid’s Well at Liscannor, a touching shrine where for centuries pilgrims have come for healing. Lunch will be at the Burren Centre in Kilfenora, where there are number of fine decorated high crosses, and then it’s on to Killinaboy, a ruined church which sports a sheela-na-gig. On the unique rocky landscape of the Burren, we visit the Poulnabrone portal dolmen, a hidden faery fort, and other fascinating sites before arriving at our warm and friendly guesthouse with ocean views in the coastal village of Doolin, where the best of traditional music can be heard.
Day Eight
This morning we catch the ferry to Inis Mór, (Inishmore) one of the Aran Islands – a place of dramatic scenery and rich archaeological sites, including the smallest church in the world. We will go by bicycle or mini-bus to the spectacular cliff-top Iron Age fort of Dún Aenghus and explore the rugged beauty of the island, which is accentuated by the thatched roofs of the traditional Irish stone cottages that dot the countryside. You may hear the Irish language spoken by the island's residents who still adhere to the old ways of generations gone by, keeping the spirit of Gaelic Ireland alive.
Day Nine
We take the road east to County Meath for a visit to the Loughcrew mountains, where we walk up the Hill of the Cailleach, the ancestral goddess of Ireland. We will join together in ritual, and there will be time for individual attunement and meditation within the cairns themselves, which are filled with exquisite Stone Age rock art, and are portals into the mysteries of the Underworld. Afterwards, we visit a beautiful holy well redolent with faery energies, before making our way to our peaceful historical hotel in the heart of the Boyne Valley, named after the goddess Boannd.
Day Ten
Today we visit the World Heritage Centre of the Brú na Bóinne, or Newgrange, the largest earth-chamber in Europe. Over 5,000 years old, it predates both the Great Pyramid and Stonehenge. It was once a ceremonial centre and burial place, while the Celts believed it to be the palace of the gods. Afterwards, we visit its sister temple, Knowth, which is equally impressive, bearing a splendid array of mysterious decorated stones. This evening we will have a special presentation and intensive drumming journey led by Martin Duffy, director of the Ireland Centre for Shamanic Studies at his home in beautiful Dunderry Park.
Day Eleven
This morning, we make our way to the unique ancient site of Fourknocks, where we meet Anthony Murphy, author of Ireland of the Sunset, who will introduce us to the mysteries of this little-known and highly atmospheric earth-chamber, filled with elaborate carvings from the Neolithic Age. Then it's off to our last destination - the Royal Hill of Tara, seat of the High Kings of Ireland, scene of many of Ireland's most significant events in both ancient and modern history. Michael Slavin, author of The Book of Tara, will be our guide, then we will assemble around the famous Stone of Destiny, considered the sacred centre or omphalos of the land, for our closing ceremony. There will be plenty of time to shop for gifts and books before we return for a special farewell dinner to celebrate our journey together.
Day Twelve
We take a short trip to the airport, and bid farewell to each other and to Ireland!
Please note: While we make every effort to keep to the above itinerary, it may be subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen conditions.
www.celticspiritjourneys.com Ó Mara Freeman, 2008. All Rights Reserved
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
For the EU and UK, the price is €2345 and £1866.
A deposit of $500 secures your place.
All major credit cards accepted.
You can now also reserve a place online through our secure server or Paypal.
Price includes:
- Accommodation that has been carefully selected for high standards of comfort, great food, and beautiful locations. You will be staying at 3 and 4 star country guesthouses and hotels
- Fees are based on double occupancy, with a few single supplements available on request for an extra fee
- Hearty Irish breakfast and one other meal per day
- All ground transportation in a private minibus, including service from Shannon Airport and to Dublin Airport
- All presentations by Mara Freeman and guest speakers
- All guide fees and entrance charges to all sites and museums.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Ireland
Pilgrimage/Spirituality
Cultural Journey
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