Long summer days. Countryside beauty. And a warm welcome.
Such are what Father Robert Hughes, diocesan Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, says await all those who join him and Bishop Dennis Sullivan on a tour of Ireland July 5-17.
“This will be my sixth trip to Ireland,” Father Hughes said, explaining that he enjoys connecting to his Irish heritage.
Bishop Sullivan, too, traces his family roots to the Emerald Isle. “Having the Bishop on tour is certainly a highlight – not only being able to get to know him more personally but listening to him sing his ‘Irish Diddies’ and retell the stories told to him by his mother, a native of the Limerick area,” Father Hughes said.
Departing from Philadelphia and landing in Dublin, travelers will be greeted with Irish tea and warm scones before heading off to Donegal for a three-night stay. Among the trip’s highlights: Slieve League, one of Europe’s highest sea cliffs; Derry and a firsthand account of Bloody Sunday; Yeats Country; Knock Shrine; Galway; Connemara’s lush, rolling hills; the iconic Rock of Cashel, and Powerscourt House and Gardens, 47 acres of which have been called the third-best garden in the world.
An added bonus: seeing the Cliffs of Moher, a UNESCO World Heritage site, from a boat.
“This tour is filled with ‘add ons’ – tea and scones on a farm, Irish music … avoiding tourist traps in favor of real Irish life,” Father Hughes said.
While not a pilgrimage, the trip will also include opportunities for Mass with the local community.
Immersing oneself in the Irish culture will be a key part of the tour, Father Hughes said, explaining that an important part of that is the local music.
“While traditional Irish music can be found in many places – certain towns are well-known for their music like Donegal, Doolin and Galway,” he said. “For those who are interested, we will find the best pubs and music each evening. So enjoy a pint and a tune.”
For more information on the tour, including prices and the full itinerary, visit isleinntours.com/bishop-sullivan.
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