Hist 501: The Catholic Culture of Ireland (3 credits): This course examines the character of Irish Catholic culture in the Golden Age, with special emphasis on the role of the early Irish monasteries, the English penetration and conquest, the Irish resistance culminating in the Nine Years War (1594 1602), the oppression and persecution of the Irish Catholics in the 17th and 18th centuries, the building of an independent Ireland and the great emigration from Ireland since 1845. Instructor: Dr. Timothy O'Donnell, STD, KGCHS, President, Christendom College
Engl 331: Irish Literature (3 credits): Survey of Irish fiction, drama and poetry. Emphasis will be given to those authors and works that deal specifically with Irish culture, history, religious and social issues, etc. Included are a selection of works by Gaelic writers along with such authors as William Butler Yeats, Walter Macken, James Joyce, Liam O'Flaherty, Sean O'Cassey, John Millington Synge, and others. Instructor: Dr. Patrick Keats, Ph.D., Associate Professor of English language and Literature, Christendom College
Days 1 to 6 - July 25 to July 30: Christendom College
Preliminary Lectures and Readings
Day 7 – July 31: Depart U.S.A.
Our pilgrimage begins as we depart the United States on our overnight flight to Ireland.
Day 8 – August 1: Arrive Shannon / Killarney
We will be met at the airport by our coach and driver and we will get an immediate introduction to the splendors of Ireland when we visit the 15th century Bunratty Castle with its four square angle towers. After a brief stop at Adare, we then travel past the Macgillycuddy Reeks to Killarney, situated in a spectacular location amidst mountains, glens and lakes. After time to relax at our hotel, we will visit nearby Muckross House. (D)
Day 9 – August 2: Killarney
We begin the morning with Mass at the Franciscan Monastery. Then enjoy a leisurely tour around the Ring of Kerry, which is one of the most beautiful drives in Europe, ending at the Torc Waterfall and historic Muckross Abbey. This cascade is one of the highest in Ireland and the adjacent viewpoint provides a fine view of the lakes below. (B/D)
Day 10 – August 3: Killarney / Galway
We will continue our drive through the heart of the "Emerald Isle" to visit the spectacular Rock of Cashel, a monumental 12th century cathedral complex dominating the surrounding landscapes. It was here that St. Patrick first used the shamrock and baptized the first of the Munster kings. After that, we travel on to Holy Cross Abbey ©1168, with its precious relic, where we will celebrate Mass. Continue to Galway for overnight. (B/D)
Day 11 – August 4: Galway
A ferry trip will take us to the largest of the Aran Islands - Inishmore. With forts, early Christian Churches, villages, cliffs and caves, this island tilts up to the precipitous heights and prehistoric settlement at Dun Aengus, which hangs 100 m above the sea. (B/D)
Day 12 – August 5: Galway / Knock
This morning we will visit the early Christian Monastery of Clonmacnoise, where we can examine the various crosses and medieval writings. Continue to Knock, which was the scene of an apparition of the blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph and St. John in 1879. We will celebrate Mass at the Chapel of the Apparitions. The great Basilica, Our Lady Queen of Ireland, is now affiliated with St. Mary Major in Rome. Overnight in Knock. (B/D)
Day 13 – August 6: Knock / Donegal
After a morning at leisure in Knock, we will drive the Holy Mountain of Croagh Patrick where St. Patrick spent the 40 days of Lent in the year 441 AD in prayer and fasting, and on to Donegal which will be our base for the next four nights. (B/D)
Day 14 – August 7: Donegal
A marvelous day out begins driving to Letterkenny with a visit to St. Eunan’s Gothic Cathedral and on to Doon Well & Rock. There, we will celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass outdoors on a “Mass rock” used during penal times when the Mass was outlawed. We will also pray at Doon Well, which is believed to have curative properties. The nearby Rock, where the O'Donnell Kings were inaugurated, has a spectacular view and is one of the few inaugural stones still in existence. Continue through beautiful scenic roads to Lough Swilly where we will visit Grianan of Aileach, the famous fort temple known to Ptolemy in the 2nd century A.D., and then travel through the scenic Innishowen Peninsula. (B/D)
Day 15 – August 8: Donegal
This morning, relax and visit Donegal Castle and Abbey, with time to shop. In the afternoon, take an OPTIONAL scenic cruise of Donegal Bay. (B/D)
Day 16 – August 9: Donegal
Today we will drive out to Mount Erigal, and then travel through Adara and Glengesh Pass, a series of bends through a wild deserted landscape. Then we will travel to Glencolumbkille, a popular holiday centre. After visiting the folk museum, we can walk along the lovely seashore before returning to Donegal via the town of the fishing village of Killybegs. (B/D)
Day 17 – August 10: Donegal / Dublin
We leave the rugged beauty of Donegal and travel to Armagh, where we will have Mass at the Cathedral of St. Patrick, his Primatial See. Then drive to the Hill of Slane where St. Patrick kindled his Easter fire. On to Drogheda to visit St. Peter’s Catholic Church containing the embalmed head of Oliver Plunkett, an archbishop martyred in 1681. Our final stop of the day will be Dublin, a city of splendid history with wide Georgian streets and elegant squares, which were once home to such famous Irish writers as Shaw, Joyce and Yeats. (B/D)
Day 18 – August 11: Dublin
Glendalough, tucked away in the Wicklow Mountains, is a valley of two lakes and a monastery of two saints. This most romantic of monastic sites was one of Ireland's greatest pilgrimage centers up to the middle of the 19th century. We can then venture amongst the Wicklow Mountains, the glens in the film "Braveheart,” and even take a walk in the footsteps of St. Kevin and St. Lawrence O’Toole. In the evening, we will attend one of the legendary Irish Theatrical Classics at the Abbey Theatre. (B)
Day 19 – August 12: Dublin
Dublin is the vibrant capital of Ireland, with a romantic aura of Old World Europe. This morning visit Kilmainham Gaol and the Guinness Brewery. Afterwards on foot we can reach lovely parks and gardens, such as St. Stephen's Green. A walking tour could take in Trinity College and the Book of Kells. We will also be able to visit the National Gallery of Art and the National Museum. (B/D)
Day 20 – August 13: Dublin / USA
Transfer to the airport for our return flight home. (B)
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