Dickinson College CCelticeltic SSpiritualitypirituality iinn IIrelandreland JJuneune 8–16,8–16, 20172017 HHostedosted byby Rev.Rev. DDonnaonna HughesHughes aandnd BBeckyecky HammellHammell “We hope that you will join us for this beautiful journey to visit some of Ireland’s most sacred sites.” 116 Lake Street • Ephrata, PA 17522 • (717) 721-7300 • (800) 874-9330 • raptim.org Thursday, June 8 Departure Sunday, June 11 Hill of Uisneach and Clonmancoise Depart for Dublin today on your own. Drive to the Hill Friday, June 9 Dublin of Uisneach which Arrive in Dublin prior to means Aill na Mire- 9:00 am. The group will ann, or the Cat- gather following bag- stone where the fi ve gage claim and customs provinces of Ireland to meet the motor coach meet. Uisneach was departing at 10:00 am. said to be the home of Travel to the city center the sovereignty god- for morning refresh- dess, Ériu, afer whom ment before touring the Ireland is named. historical Georgian Area According to legend, of Dublin and the inner Ériu rests under the city. A visit to the Trinity Catstone. College Library to see This place is also linked to the sun god Lugh. It was Lugh who the Book of Kells is a gave rise to the harvest celebration Lunasa and was drowned in highlight of the tour. The a lake on the Hill and rests beneath an adjoining tumulus (ancient Book of Kells (aka Book burial mound). One theory says that the god Lugh, with his “long of Columba) was created arm trailing behind him,’ and his face too bright to look at, was around 800 AD and is actually a comet. an illuminated text of the On Bealtine (May time), a fi re was lit on Uisneach to celebrate Gospels. It is considered the coming of summer. The lighting of the Uisneach fi re was the to be a masterwork of signal for igniting fi res on many hills across the whole island cre- Western calligraphy and ating a unique fi re eye, with the Uisneach fi re being the pupil. represents the pinnacle of Insular illumination. The Book of Kells The “Good God Dagda” is said to have lived at Uisneach and is widely regarded as Ireland’s fi nest national treasure. Enjoy stabled his solar horses there. Two souterrains (underground a guided tour of Christchurch Cathedral, the oldest medieval passages) have been located at Uisneach, inside a wheel- cathedral in Dublin. Christchurch is located in what was once shaped enclosure. One of these caves is in the shape of a mare the heart of medieval Dublin. In recent years, the Cathedral has pursued by a galloping stallion. Horse dieties have always been been used in the TV drama series “Reign” and in the drama “The associated with the hill. Archaeological work has uncovered Tudors.” Many costumes used by the actors portraying Catherine evidence of enclosures, souterrains, houses, and two roadways of Aragon and King Henry can be viewed within the crypt of the which are believed to link the royal sites of Uisneach, Tara and Cathedral. Continue on to the Johnstown House Hotel in County Rathcroghan. Meath for dinner and overnight. St. Patrick visited Uisneach and his place of worship is known as St. Patrick’s Bed. St Brigid was named after the great pan Saturday, June 10 Royal County Meath Celtic goddess Brigit—the Bright One—who was worshipped at Visit Lough Crew Uisneach in pre-Christian times. situated in a land- In addition, there was a real fi fth province or kingdom in scape of inspiring ancient Ireland known as Mide. The fi fth province could also beauty and intriguing refer to the world of imagination and the magical otherworld. The history. The cairns Catstone was regarded as a gateway to this otherworld. In the at Loughcrew form Oxford Dictionary of Celtic Mythology, Uisneach is described as the largest complex “a hill that has played a signifi cant role in the Irish imagination.” of passage graves in Legend says that Brian Boru, who became King of Ireland and Ireland, much older the founder of the O’Brien dynasty, came to Uisneach around 999 than the better known to lay claim to the sovereignty over Mide. Newgrange. These End the day by traveling to Clonmacnoise to visit the tranquil megalithic structures ruins of the monastic site of St. Ciaran, situated on the bend were built around of the River Shan- 4000 BC as burial chambers. Cairns L and T are roofed and con- non which affords a tain superb symbolic carvings in good condition. wonderful view east Continue to the town of Kells, the site of Kells Abbey from and west of the river. which the Book of Kells takes its name. The monastery at Kells Learn about monasti- was founded by monks from Iona. The Abbey of Kells round cism in Ireland and tower and fi ve large Celtic crosses can still been seen. the role it played Travel through Doughpatrick (Downpatrick), the burial place during the fi fth through of St. Patrick, to the Hill of Slane, which is steeped in myth eighth century Chris- and history. The hill towers over the landscape at 521 feet with tian Ireland. Return breathtaking views of the countryside. It is said that St. Patrick lit to Johnstown House the fi rst paschal fi re on Slane hill in defi ance of the pagan kings Hotel for dinner and of Tara. St. Patrick overnight. appointed Erc as the Monday, June 12 Solas Brihde Spirituality Centre fi rst Bishop at the site. A monastery survived Enjoy a day-long retreat with nuns at Solas Brihde Spirituality on the hill even after Centre which welcomes people of all faiths and of no faith. The many raids by the vision of the Centre is to unfold the legacy of St. Brigid and its Vikings and remains relevance for today. Explore Kildare Town before continuing to a mecca for pilgrims Glendalough for dinner and overnight. today. Return to the Johnstown House Hotel for overnight. Tuesday, June 13 Glendalough Spend the day in Tour Price: $2,745 per person, land only, based on Glendalough (Valley of sharing a double room two lakes) touring the site with time for spiritual meditation. This site is Single Supplement: $645 renowned for an early medieval monastic settle- ment founded in the 6th Optional Group Travel Protection Plan: century by St. Kevin who died there about 618 AD. • $239 per person (non-refundable; covers up to Of note in the city is the $3,000 in Round Tower, the Cathe- cancellation fees). dral nearby to St. Kevin’s • $316 per person (non-refundable; covers up to Cross, the Priests’ House, $4,000 in St. Kevin’s Church, and cancellation fees). several other churches. Dinner and overnight in Glendalough. Payment due with deposit for immediate cancellation Wednesday, June 14 Return to Dublin coverage. Travel through Wicklow, to Mount Usher Gardens, one of Ireland’s greatest gardens and a world-class example of a Payments: A deposit of $500 per person is due at time Robinsonian garden with a relaxed informality and natural layout. of registration. Final payment is due April 10, 2017. Enjoy time exploring the gardens. Dinner and overnight is at the Aishling Hotel in Dublin. Thursday, June 15 Dublin Enjoy a free day in Dublin. Visit one of the many museums This tour price refl ects special group rates. Registrations with or walk the Phoenix Park, a beautiful 1750 acre park with many deposits received after March 3, 2017, will likely incur additional quiet areas for refl ection. Gather back at the hotel for transport to charges due to supplier contract terms. attend an Irish Evening of music, song and dance. Return to the hotel for overnight. Included: Friday, June 16 Flight Home Fly back to the USA according to your own fl ight schedule. • Accommodations as listed in itinerary, or similar • Breakfast and dinner daily • Sightseeing and entrance fees to sites listed in itinerary outline • Services of English-speaking licensed guide • Driver and transportation in air-conditioned motor coach For more information, contact: • Hotel service charges and local taxes Rev. Donna Hughes • Tips to drivers, guides and hotel staff Email: [email protected] • Hotel porterage (1 bag per person) Phone: 717-245-1267 Not Included: • Transportation from home to/from Dublin, Ireland • Passport fees Register on-line at: http://www.cvent.com/d/2vqcdr • Lunches and lunch tips • Beverages with meals • Items of a personal nature • Travel insurance (nonrefundable) For Assistance with Air Travel . Each tour member is responsible for their own airline Travel Arrangements by: arrangements. We suggest purchasing airline tickets three Raptim Humanitarian Travel to six months prior to departure. 116 Lake Street Ephrata, PA 17522 If you would like assistance with airline reservations, please Tel: (800) 874-9330 contact Trinda Lim, Raptim Humanitarian Travel, at Fax: 716-754-2881 E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] or call 800-272-7846, extension 12305. Tour Features and Conditions Please read all Tour Features and Conditions carefully. Payment of tour deposit constitutes acceptance of these conditions. Accommodations: Based on two or more persons sharing a Passport, Visa & Health Requirements: A valid passport is room in accommodations listed in itinerary, or similar. Single rooms required. If you do not have a passport, you should apply for one are subject to availability at an additional charge. If a passenger immediately. Information on obtaining or renewing a U.S. passport cannot supply a roommate, the passenger is responsible for the can be found at http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english.