Your spiritual tour in Ireland begins when you walk outside the doors of Dublin airport. Hop onto one of the awaiting coaches that will take you the short distance into the centre of the city. When you disembark at O'Connell Street, Dublin's main avenue, you'll be close to your designated hotel. You'll meet your friendly guide...
...and when you're sufficiently relaxed and ready to go, it's off to our Govindas restaurant for a bite to eat. After the meal we'll wander off to see the spiritual sights, including the famous Book of Kells - the ancient manuscript and artwork created by monks 1200 years ago. In the evening we'll attend a service in St. Patrick's Cathedral and then onto the Atma Yoga centre for a sacred chant experience.
DAY 2 - Thursday
We head out of the city. Our first stop is a Franciscan friary, where we experience how this monastic order has impacted on Irish people over the centuries. Then we visit the ancient and mysterious sites of Newgrange and Knowth. Newgrange may be considered the oldest intact building in the world, dating from 3200BC, built by people of whom we know little. It is clear, however, that the structure had a metaphysical and religious purpose. Visiting these ancient sites is awe-inspiring, humbling, fascinating and fun.
DAY 3 - Friday
We're on Inisrath Island, our home for the rest of the tour. Inisrath is a wooded island with a guesthouse, temple and meditation room. We explore early monastic ruins here on L.Erne. From the 6th century as many as five monsteries were established on our lake, and most were in existence longer than many world empires. After the disintegration of Rome, Europe fell into a cultural decline. Monks from Ireland preserved literature and travelled throughout Europe, sharing religious wisdom with European tribes and races.
The main event today is to experience Devenish Island. A monastery on Devenish was founded in 523AD by St. Molaise. In time the monastery became the focal point of the community serving as the chief centre of education, trade, medicine, art and culture. At it's height Devenish and satellite schools were educating 1500 boys and young men in literature, scripture, geometry and astronomy.
DAY 4 - Saturday
Today we journey to Lough Derg, an ancient place of pilgrimmage. According to legend the name of the lake is derived from the red blood of the last great serpent monster that St. Patrick slew here ('Derg' is red in Irish). The lake has several islands, two of which have had monasteries down through the ages. Today the Basilica is on Station Island, the famed St. Patrick's Purgatory. Even to this day 30,000 devout pilgrims a year attend retreats, which involve prayer, fasting and chanting on beads whilst walking barefoot. On our spiritual tour we visit the area, soak in the atmosphere, walk the pilgrimmage trail, and visit the heritage centre.
DAY 5 - Sunday
Today you attend the public 'arati' event . The arati is a kind of ceremony performed in any Hindu or Buddhist temple, and is very fascinating and exotic to witness. The ceremony is accompanied by sweet sacred chant music. Afterwards be prepared for the elaborate Sunday feast! Today you also have options to take part in yoga and/or meditation classes.
DAY 6 - Monday
Today is 'Spirit of the Land'. We travel to Cuilcagh Mountain Park nature reserve. The more adventurous can journey to the top of the mountain (5 - 6 hours return journey). Or, if this is too much, a walk though remote peatland habitat is the easier alternative. At the summit of the mountain is the remains of a prehistoric religious structure. Then we visit the local Buddhist temple for a taste of the culture of Tibet.
DAY 7 - Tuesday
After receiving a sumptuous breakfast and packed lunch we help arrange for your onward journey, whether back to Dublin or elsewhere.
Video - Spiritual Tour in Ireland
This video gives a taste of what you'll experience on our tour.
Tour Operates...
Anytime (according to availability) April 1 - Sept 30 Beginning on a Wednesday , ending the following Tuesday
Your Spiritual Tour includes...
- three meals a day, including takeaway picnics at mid-day - six nights hotel / guesthouse accommodation - all transportation Thurs. morning until the following Tuesday - guided tour of sights, and personal service and attention - all entrance fees of visitors centres and sights - all boat journeys to and from islands - meditation / yoga tuition (optional) - a secret gift
Fee - 625 euro per person (approx. 890 USD)
......- single person supplement ...... (additional rate for one person) 315 euro
Your tour guide is Tim McEvitt, native Irishman, former monk and a friendly kind of chap. Meet him
here.
Book or inquire about this tour through our Lake Isle Retreats website. First email us
here
to check availability. When you have a suitable date we require a 400 euro pre-payment, per person. This is done, again, through Lake Isle Retreats
here.
Good luck, have fun, discover, learn and have an amazing time!
