Tours of Ireland - Pilgrimage to the Otherworld Tour

Pilgrimage to the Otherworld Tour: A Mythical and Musical Journey through Irish Sacred Landscape

What transforms a journey into a pilgrimage?
What compels us to become pilgrims?
How does landscape become sacred?
How do we connect to sacred landscape, and what does it ask of us?

Pilgrimage to the Otherworld explores these questions while journeying through some of the most powerful landscapes and sacred sites of both ancient and Christian Ireland. We will begin our ten-day exploration at the Hill of Uisneach, seat of the goddess Ériú, after whom Ireland is named and is the site of a 4,500-year-old fire ritual. We will then wander through a landscape of stone circles and passage tombs, of monastic ruins and Celtic crosses, of fairy forts and holy wells. We will travel by boat to a remote island and follow thousands of years of pilgrims’ footsteps up a sacred mountain pathway. We will immerse ourselves in the music, art and stories of the land, and visit the site of the mythological battle between the Tuatha de Danann, the fairy folk, and the Fir Bolg, people of the earth. We will walk the landscape of Mebh, goddess of Connaught and visit sites of some of the most extensive raths and passage tombs in Ireland. Finally, awaiting us is relaxation in the gentle beauty of the hills and lake of Áine, goddess of Munster.

This is Ireland in the breadth of its astounding spiritual history. Come join us in celebrating these sacred sites pivotal to the spiritual life of Ireland, these places where the mythological and the Christian sacred meet. This tour is also appropriate for a University Study or Study/Service Tour

Kate Hennessy leads discussions on the pilgrim’s way, and Garry Jones offers his musical compositions, inspired by the Irish landscape and myths of the Divine Feminine. In forming this unique partnership, we hope to once again become active participants in this “knowing” that we are pilgrims who walk upon sacred land, no matter where we live or what faith traditions we follow. It is incumbent upon us to once again participate in this sacred relationship between humankind and the Earth.

Pilgrimage to the Other World 2011 Tours | Guides: Garry Jones, Kate Hennessy

Discounted Airfare and Travel Insurance: Irish Byways recommends Travel Leaders/Suntime Travel, LLC. You may contact them by phone at 715 425 8200 or . Note that departure and arrival dates are not the same when you secure an overnight flight, as you arrive the day after you leave the USA. The travel experts at Travel Leaders/Suntime Travel, LLC will make certain your flights are purchased for the correct dates to match your Ireland tour after you have been notified by Irish Byways that your tour is proceeding.

Join one of our scheduled tours (below) OR schedule your choice of tour dates with your own group of 24-30 travelers. All tours are ten days in-Ireland, beginning on morning of arrival date and not including departure date.

2011 PILGRIMAGE TO THE OTHERWORLD TOURS
Arrive Shannon Airport the morning of Monday, April 26, 2011
Depart Shannon Airport the morning of Depart Thursday, May 6, 2011

The cost of an Irish Byways tour makes possible an uncommon cultural experience into the heart of Ireland. We employ brilliant guides as well as the best of local musicians, authentic storytellers, artists, artisans, historians and authors. Travelers are offered more relaxed “off-the-bus” adventure in contrast to fast-paced and lower priced site-seeing tours. Rather than a different hotel every night we extend our stay at several quality B&Bs set in beautiful Irish landscape with day trips out from these central locations. A review of our itinerary details the vast richness of our tours.

1. “Landscape & Lore, Music & Myth” $2400 plus airfare and travel insurance.
2. “University Study or Study/Service Tours” $2400 plus airfare and travel insurance
3. “Pilgrimage to the Otherworld” $2400 plus airfare and travel insurance.

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RESERVE YOUR SPACE ON THE APRIL/MAY TOUR WITH A $200 DEPOSIT!

VIEW PHOTOS OF PAST TOURS.

On this journey we will explore:

The Hill of Uisneach, seat of the goddess Ériú after whom Ireland is named

Clonmacnoise, the ruins of a sixth-century monastic settlement with over 700 cross slabs and high crosses

The Hill of Tara, Ireland’s best known prehistoric site of major mythological significance

Knowth, 5,000 year old site of eighteen passage tombs with one of the world’s largest groupings of megalithic art, part of the Boyne Complex (which also includes Newgrange and Dowth), older than the Pyramids of Giza and 1,000 years older than Stonehenge

Rathcroghan, seat of Mebh, sovereign goddess of Connaught, province of wisdom through suffering, land of druids and hermit saints, and site of five mounds that evidence indicates have been rebuilt and reformed many times over thousands of years.

Carrowkeel, one of the largest complexes of prehistoric megalithic passage tombs in Ireland (fourteen cairns in all) and near the site of the Second Battle of Moytura between the Tuatha de Dannan, the fairy folk and the Fomorians, people of the sea

The lovely village of Cong and environs, pivotal site in Irish mythology with an extensive network of cairns and stone circles, and site of the First Battle of Moytura between the Tuatha de Dannan and the Fir Bolg, people of the earth, in addition to home of the 12th century Cong Abbey

Inchigoill Island, uninhabited ancient monastic site, now a wildlife haven and site of the oldest surviving Latin rock inscription in Ireland

Mám Ean, site of a holy well dedicated to St. Patrick and pre-Christian Lughnasa (harvest) celebrations set in a stunning mountain pass in the Maamturk Mountains

Lough Nafooey Valley, one of Ireland’s most beautiful and remote of lake valleys

Aughnanure Castle, 13th century, one of the best preserved and most faithfully restored castles in Ireland

Brigit’s Garden, a recently created garden outside of Galway, dedicated to Brigit, saint and sovereign goddess of Leinster, province of prosperity and fertility. Meeting with famed storyteller, or seanachie, Eddie Lenihan

Galway City, the “City of the Tribes,” famous for traditional Irish music

Lough Gur, seat of Áine, the Sovereign Goddess of Munster, province of music and poetry, and site of the Lios Stone Circle, Ireland’s largest standing stone circle

Taking part in traditional Irish music sessions in local pubs

Attending a private concert of original music and stories based on the mythology of the sites visited on the tour (including Uisneach, Rathcroghan and Lough Gur)

We also hope that our participants will contribute their original poetry, songs or stories.

Given the nature and locations of many of these sites, there will be extensive walking. While distances are manageable, the climb to Mám Ean can be difficult, particularly in inclement weather (which is a given in Ireland). Alternate options can be arranged, but we strongly recommend that you come ready to tackle such challenges with a sense of humor, adventure and flexibility, in addition to rain gear and a stout pair of waterproof hiking boots.

Tour cost includes:

Pre-trip and in-country contact with experienced tour managers who will be present with you throughout the tour.

Brilliant Guides providing interpretation following itinerary

Professional Bus Transportation which begins on arrival morning at Shannon Airport through departure morning to Shannon Airport.

Boat trip(s) to a significant island(s) off the coast of Ireland

Any and all entrance fees following our Itinerary

Meetings with local artists, musicians, authors, historian/storytellers.

Accommodations at exceptional B&Bs and Guest Houses known for Irish hospitality rather than five star hotels.

Meals covered by tour cost: Traditional Irish Breakfast each morning, one welcoming lunch at Brigit Gardens, three freshly packed lunches, and two festive evening meals.

Guides reserve the right to make changes to our Itinerary in the event of extreme weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances. Arrangements can be made (at additional traveler’s expense) for self-chosen local activities such as horseback riding or for additional self-chosen taxi service.