Ireland, known
by many as the “Island of Saints and Scholars” has a rich, inspirational and
sublime spiritual heritage. Monastic
settlements were founded in many different parts of Ireland. The fame of these monastic settlements, the
quality of their education, their saintly and prayerful way of life attracted
many from Europe to come and spend some time in Ireland. Many of these monks established monastic
settlements in many different parts of Europe.
It has been said many times that the Irish monks rescued Europe from the
ravages of the vandals who plundered much of Europe during what is often known
as the “Dark Ages”.
There is hardly
a place in Ireland which does not have a close association with an Irish
saint. The locals are very conscious of
their links with their local saints and celebrate these links with great
devotion at specific times during the year.
They are very conscious of the heritage they have inherited. It is not unusual for a community to have its
local schools, one of its streets named after its local saint. Local football teams and clubs are also named
after the local saint, such is the awareness of their identity with their local
saint.
Saints such as
St. Patrick and St. Bridget need no introduction. Others almost as well known include St.
Brendan, St. Kevin, St Columba, St. Ciaran, St. Enda, St. Finbarr, St. Gobnait,
St. Oliver Plunkett, St. Mel and St. Malachy.
Theirs is a heritage which is richly cherished, valued and treasured by
the locals in those parts of Ireland which are closely associated with these
respective saints.
Many of the most
scenic parts of Ireland are very closely associated with the saints in Ireland.
Places such as Knock, Lough Derg, Glendalough, Croke Patrick and Clonmacnoise
are enchanting, captivating, picturesque and prayerful. What about a day’s retreat on Lough Derg, the
island so closely associated with St. Patrick, the island to which so many
Irish people return each year to their renew their faith? Or what about Mass out in Inishfallen, one of
the many islands in the Lakes of Killarney?
Maybe one would like to visit Knock in Co. Mayo? Knock is one of the most important Marian
Shrines in the world and draws huge numbers of pilgrims each year. Maybe one
would like to visit Ballintubber Abbey or Holy Cross Abbey, places of worship
which have barely changed despite their antiquity. All these sights can be seen
on an O’Connor Autotours Religious tour program either tailor made or by taking
part in their popular Celtic Cross program.
Combine all this
with the opportunity to see the Green Isle and have a relaxing holiday. Whether the sun shines, the fog lies low on
the mountains or the rain falls, the vista constantly changes as one travels
around the shores of this beautiful country one calls the Emerald Isle. And there will also be opportunities to do
some shopping if so wished by the members of the
group.
One will return
home, invigorated and renewed, refreshed and energised, revitalised and
strengthened in one’s faith and beliefs.
One will view life from a more affirmative and more positive
perspective.
The list of
places to visit is endless, the choice is yours. Every effort will be made to accommodate the
wishes of the group. The aim will be to make sure that all the members will
value the time spent on pilgrimage and will recall their pilgrimage as one
which will have a bearing on their lives in the years ahead. In all cases the group will have their own
Spiritual Director which will add immeasurably to your pilgrimage experience in
Ireland. For further details of the
service provided by O’Connor Autotours please view the following link www.oconnorautotours.ie/ireland_tour_religious.html or contact them by email oconnorautotours@eircom.net
Guest post courtesy of Michael Clifford, O'Connor Autotours, Religious Tour Director/Driver-guide, Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland. O'Connor Autotours website includes details on all their tour packages, including day trips, rail and private tours. They also have links to many other Ireland travel resources.
No compensation was received by Catholic Traveller or O'Connor Autotours for this guest post.
