+1 (800) 653-0017 hello@canterburypilgrimages.com
+1 (800) 653-0017 hello@canterburypilgrimages.com
The Cliffs of Moher falling to the Atlantic in evening light

Irish Shrines and Saints

Galway, Connemara, Knock, Killarney, Kinsale and Glendalough

Ten days around the coast, from Connemara and Kylemore Abbey to the apparition chapel at Knock, the Ring of Kerry, the harbour at Kinsale and St. Kevin’s valley at Glendalough.

Departures

Current Tours to Ireland

Upcoming departures to Ireland. Each group has its own host, dates, and itinerary. The route below is our standard.

All current pilgrimages
The Route

Eleven stops around the coast

Galway, Connemara, Kylemore Abbey, Knock, the Cliffs of Moher, Limerick, the Dingle Peninsula, Killarney, Kinsale, Cork and Glendalough.

Itinerary · EU_IE-10D-01

The Irish Shrines and Saints Itinerary

This ten-day route is the wide circuit of the country, west first and then south, and it is the only one of ours that reaches Cork and Kinsale. Your group travels on its own dates, and the itinerary can be adjusted to fit the time you have and the places that matter most to your pilgrims.

DAYS 1–2

Crossing to the west

The nave and dome of Galway Cathedral looking toward the sanctuary
Galway Cathedral on the Corrib
Day 1

Departure

Our pilgrimage begins with an overnight flight to Dublin. Dinner and breakfast are served during the crossing, and there is time to rest before the drive west on the first morning.
Day 2

Arrival in Dublin and on to Galway

Our tour escort meets us on arrival and we cross the country by motorcoach to Galway, the city on the west coast that has kept its medieval streets and its appetite for music. The group gathers in the evening for a welcome dinner.Dinner and overnight in Galway.
DAYS 3–4

Connemara, Knock and Clare

Photograph to come · Kylemore Abbey, Connemara
Kylemore Abbey below the Twelve Bens
Day 3

Lough Corrib, Connemara and Kylemore Abbey

We cruise Lough Corrib from Oughterard, then drive into Connemara, the wildest country in Ireland. Kylemore Abbey is a Gothic castle turned Benedictine convent, set against the Twelve Bens and reflected in its own lake. We end the day at Knock.Mass is celebrated at Galway Cathedral. Dinner and overnight in Knock.
Day 4

Knock, the Cliffs of Moher and Bunratty

In August 1879 Our Lady, St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist appeared in silence at the gable of the parish church at Knock to fifteen witnesses. We travel south through the limestone of the Burren to the Cliffs of Moher, and close the day at Bunratty Castle for its medieval banquet.Mass is celebrated in the Apparition Chapel at Knock Shrine. Dinner and overnight in Limerick.
DAYS 5–7

Kerry and Cork

Photograph to come · The Ring of Kerry above the Atlantic
The Ring of Kerry above the Atlantic
Day 5

The Dingle Peninsula and Killarney

The Dingle Peninsula keeps the Irish language as an everyday tongue, and its coast road runs past beehive huts and early oratories built by monks who wanted the edge of the world. We continue to Killarney, under the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks.Mass is celebrated at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Killarney. Dinner and overnight in Killarney.
Day 6

The Ring of Kerry and Muckross House

The Ring of Kerry is the most celebrated drive in Ireland, a hundred miles of cliff, mountain and island view. We tour Muckross House and its gardens in Killarney National Park, above the lakes that made the town famous.Mass is celebrated at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Killarney. Dinner and overnight in Killarney.
Day 7

Blarney Castle, Kinsale and Cork

At Blarney Castle those so inclined may kiss the stone that is said to bestow eloquence. Kinsale is a harbour town of narrow streets and painted houses, and the evening ends with traditional music in a Cork pub.Mass is celebrated at St. John the Baptist Church, Kinsale. Dinner and overnight in Cork.
DAYS 8–10

Glendalough and Dublin

The round tower and monastic church at Glendalough seen from above
The round tower at Glendalough
Day 8

Glendalough and Dublin

We cross the country to Glendalough, the valley of the two lakes, where St. Kevin came for solitude in the sixth century and a monastic city grew up around him. The round tower, the cathedral ruins and his church stand in an old burial ground.Mass is celebrated at the Shrine of St. Kevin, Glendalough. Dinner and overnight in Dublin.
Day 9

Highlights of Dublin

The Church of Our Lady of Lourdes holds the shrine of Venerable Matt Talbot, the Dublin laborer whose recovery from alcoholism has made him a patron for those seeking sobriety. We walk Grafton Street and see the Book of Kells at Trinity College.Mass is celebrated at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes. Farewell dinner and overnight in Dublin.
Day 10

Return home

We transfer to Dublin Airport for the flight home, carrying the intercession of Our Lady of Knock and St. Kevin of Glendalough, and a fair share of the west of Ireland behind us.

Why leaders choose Canterbury

“Canterbury treats you like family! They handle everything, from creating exciting itineraries to managing calls, registrations, and payments.”

Patrick MadridPatrick Madrid
Catholic Speaker, Author & Host of The Patrick Madrid Show on Relevant Radio®
ConnemaraThe wild country west of Galway, where Kylemore Abbey stands under the Twelve Bens
Photograph to come · Connemara
Dates

Your group travels on its own dates.

Tell us the window you have in mind and we will build the itinerary around it: the time you have, and the places that matter most to your pilgrims.

Your pilgrimage includes

Tour Package Includes

These inclusions can be easily tailored to the individual needs of your group

  • Daily Mass at the churches we visit
  • Round-trip group airfare
  • Airport transfers on arrival & departure
  • 4-Star hotel accommodations
  • Private motorcoach transportation
  • Breakfast & dinner served daily
  • Wine served with some dinners
  • Dedicated tour manager
  • Licensed guiding & admission fees
  • Porterage service at hotels
  • Whisper headsets when touring
  • Tips for hotel & restaurant staff
  • 9 – 5 PM (EST) reservation support
  • 24/7 travel emergency support
  • Canterbury Mobile App
For the group leader

What you get as the group leader

You travel free.

Every group earns complimentary places. The more pilgrims you bring, the more you earn. How complimentary places work

No financial risk.

If the group does not fill, deposits are returned. You owe nothing and neither do your pilgrims. What happens if a group does not fill

We produce the promotional materials.

Flyers, a registration page, and what you need to invite your people. Our guide to promoting a pilgrimage

We handle your pilgrims.

Registrations, rooming lists, payment plans and the phone calls. How leading a pilgrimage works

In your pocket

The Canterbury Mobile App

Every pilgrim in your group gets the app. Their itinerary, hotels and flights, the prayers of the day and a way to reach one another, all in one place and kept current as the pilgrimage unfolds.

  • Group chat

    Your whole group in one thread, so a change of plan reaches everyone at once.

  • Their itinerary

    The full day-by-day schedule, always current, in every pilgrim’s pocket.

  • Hotels

    Where the group is staying each night, with addresses and dates.

  • Flights

    Flight details kept alongside everything else, not in a separate email.

  • Daily prayers

    The prayers of the day, including the Liturgy of the Hours.

  • Shrine passport

    A keepsake record of the shrines your group visits along the way.

  • Live updates

    Times and meeting points pushed to everyone the moment they change.

Photographs
A crucifix and statuary in the grounds of the shrine at Knock, County Mayo
The shrine grounds at Knock
Photograph to come · The Cliffs of Moher, County Clare
The Cliffs of Moher, County Clare
The dry stone Gallarus Oratory in a green field on the Dingle Peninsula
Gallarus Oratory on the Dingle Peninsula
Photograph to come · Muckross House, Killarney National Park
Muckross House, Killarney National Park
Photograph to come · The harbour at Kinsale, County Cork
The harbour at Kinsale, County Cork
Photograph to come · St. Kevin’s Church, Glendalough
St. Kevin’s Church, Glendalough

What group leaders say

“They’re big enough to handle any problem that arises, and small enough to craft truly unique experiences.”

Chris StefanickChris Stefanick
Founder & President of Real Life Catholic
Before you ask

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to travel to Ireland?

Groups travel from April through October. May, June and September bring the longest days and the mildest weather, while July and August are the warmest and the busiest. Knock keeps a pilgrimage season from late April to mid October, and the shrine is at its fullest during the August novena.

How physically demanding is this pilgrimage?

Moderate. Most days involve two to four hours on your feet, with walking on uneven ground, ancient stone, and steps at archaeological sites. Pilgrims who can manage a full day of sightseeing at their own pace do well. If anyone in your group has mobility limitations, tell us early and we will adapt the days around them. What activity level means.

What is generally not included?

Travel insurance, lunches, drinks beyond those served with included meals, personal expenses, and gratuities for your tour manager and driver. Any of these can be built into your package on request, so tell us what you would like covered and we will arrange it. Passports and visa fees are the one exception and remain the responsibility of each pilgrim.

Do I need a passport or visa for Ireland?

United States citizens need a passport valid for the length of the stay and do not need a visa to visit Ireland as tourists. This route stays entirely within the Republic of Ireland, so there is no second set of entry requirements to meet.

Can our priest celebrate Mass at the churches?

Yes. Daily Mass is built into the itinerary, and we arrange times and locations in advance with each church. Your priest should travel with a celebret or letter of good standing from his bishop or superior. We handle the scheduling.

How many pilgrims do you need for a group?

Most of our groups are between 20 and 50 pilgrims, and we can arrange smaller tours as well. We have also organized pilgrimages for groups as large as 2,500, so whatever size your group turns out to be, we can build for it. Minimum group size for a group flight.

Enquire

Interested in Leading a Pilgrimage to Ireland?

A pilgrimage consultant replies within one business day. No deposit or commitment.

    Your Information

    Your Group

    First time? You are in good company. Many of our group leaders start right here, and we guide you through every step.

    Where You Would Like to Go

    Destinations of interest (check all that apply)

    These are some of our most popular destinations, but we build CUSTOM ITINERARIES anywhere in the world. If you do not see your destination, tell us below.

    Italy, Rome and AssisiFrance, Lourdes and ParisPortugal and FátimaSpain and the Camino de SantiagoPortugal, Spain and France togetherGreece and TurkeyThe Holy LandEgypt and Mount SinaiPoland, Prague and Central EuropeMedjugorje and the BalkansIreland and the United KingdomMexico and Our Lady of GuadalupeArgentinaPeruJapan, Nagasaki and AkitaUnited States and Canada shrinesA pilgrimage cruiseSomewhere else, or not sure yet

    When

    Group Size and Budget

    Complimentary places are arranged based on the size of your group. Let us know how many you expect so we can request them from our suppliers from the start.

    A Few Last Details

    Would you like sample itineraries emailed to you?

    You May Also Be Interested In