The Edmund Rice Camino

12th – 14th April, 2017

Day 1: The Greenway Trails

Arrival at Athenaeum House Hotel at 8.30am - Luggage can be checked in on arrival followed by gathering in the gardens to the rear of the hotel overlooking the River Suir - Coach transfer to Waterford Greenway 9.15am.

Morning: Carriganore – Mount Congreve – Kilmeaden (6km) Midday: Crough Woods – Mahon Falls (6km) Afternoon: Durrow Tunnel – Dungarvan (7km)

Travel via the Copper Coast to the Edmund Rice International Heritage Centre, Mount Sion, Waterford for tour of the centre and a short reflective session on the life and legacy of Blessed Edmund.

Day 2: The Coastal Camino

Morning meditation followed by Holy Thursday Mass in The Edmund Rice Chapel at (8.30am)

Morning: Sandunes circuit Tramore Beach (7km) Midday: Doneraile to Newtown Cove Walk (3km) Afternoon: Portally Cove – Dunmore East (Cliff Walk 5km)

4.45pm- 6.00pm Visit to James Rice Wine Vault, Waterford Treasures for an Irish Tapas Experience and talk on the historic link between Waterford and the Camino.

Day 3: The Cycling Camino Option

‘In the footsteps of Edmund Rice’ guided walk through the city. (8.15am to 9.45am) 10am to 3pm Option of walking the Waterford Greenway from Kilmacthomas to Dungarvan (23km) or cycling the Greenway from Waterford to Dungarvan (45km) Good Friday Taize Vigil 7pm to 8pm. Dinner served at the hotel at 8.30pm.

Our base for the 3 days is the 4 star Athenaeum House Hotel. Bed/Breakfast, packed lunch and 4- course evening dinner is included in the package. From here, we travel by coach after breakfast to our point of departure and to here we return in the evening. The elegant hotel with tranquil gardens is the ideal setting from which to set out on each day’s Camino. It has the peace and calm of a Country House yet it is only 2 km. from the centre of Waterford City. The Athenaeum House Hotel is the perfect backdrop for the Camino experience. Whatever each day brings, you’ll be happy to retreat homewards to dine and rest in the comfort of the hotel.

Tick list:

The 3 Day Package below is priced at E350 per person sharing. There are 12 twin rooms provisionally booked on 12th, 13th and 14th of April, 2017 (Holy Week). We are limiting our numbers to 24 persons from Edmund Rice Schools. (E30 supplement per night for anyone wanting a single room. Tuesday 11th B/B at E50 per person sharing is also optional). *** Breakfast is served each morning at 7.30am and our bus transfer 8.15am sharp each morning. The earlier we start, the more time we will have to each new phase of the Camino. We return to the hotel for 4-course evening dinner. *** We can never fully depend on the weather even here in the sunny South East but the Camino will happen regardless. So keep an eye on weather forecast in advance of the Camino and pack accordingly. *** It is important to wear comfortable walking shoes/runners. Some of the underfoot terrain may be quite rugged and undulating, so a certain level of fitness is required. *** The Camino Experience is a ‘time-out’ from the often furious pace of modern life. We do not encourage the use of mobile phones while out on each Camino. People can catch up should they need to on return to the hotel. *** There will be short reflective sessions added to each day, ‘compass points’ to steer us on our journey. It’s important to avail of the space and see the world that you have to return to with new eyes. The Camino can help us walk to a new rhythm. *** Packed lunch provided each day with 30 minute break included in each Camino. *** Included in cost: Bed and Breakfast - Packed lunch and four course dinner each day - Bus transfers - Cycle hire - Admission to Lafcadio Hearn Gardens and Waterford Treasures - Irish Tapas Experience - Guided reflection led by Dr. Phil Brennan.