I arise today
Through a mighty strength,
The invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.
– St. Patrick’s Breastplate
St. Patrick arrived in Ireland from across the Irish Sea sometime during the 5th century AD, a missionary bishop committed to spreading the word of God.
This would not be St. Patrick’s first time on these shores, however, as he had already lived here in servitude for six years after being captured by Irish raiders. So our first impression of the man is one of extraordinary courage and devotion, in the act of returning as a missionary to the land where he was once a slave.
He quickly became the primary patron saint of Ireland.
Most pilgrimages to Ireland will be centred on the Marian shrine in Knock. We love having the opportunity to take groups to the sanctuary there. However, if you are willing to travel further afield, there is so much to experience both north and south of the border.
In visits to Lough Derg, the Rock of Cashel and the Hill of Slane, we can learn about St. Patrick and his legendary endeavours. We can also enjoy the natural beauty of the Wicklow Mountains while discovering the life of St. Kevin who founded a monastic settlement in Glendalough. In Dublin we may visit Whitefriar Street Church that houses a Black Madonna and relics of St. Valentine.
We hope to welcome you on a pilgrimage to Ireland soon and share in these wonderful experiences together.
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Knock
Ireland’s International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine. The sanctuary was built after the small village of Knock experienced an Apparition of Our Lady, St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist on a rainy evening in 1879. We can have a walking tour hosted by a sanctuary guide, including a visit to the museum. Mass in the Chapel of Apparition and Stations of the Cross are always popular. There is also an excellent on-site café for lunch. “Knock has always been a place of welcome, sanctuary and sacredness, a place for people to join together in prayer and worship.” – Fr. Richard Gibbons, Rector.
Monastic City in Glendalough
In the 6th century AD, St. Kevin crossed the mountains from Hollywood to Glendalough, glen of the two lakes, where he founded a flourishing monastery that became one of the most important monastic sites in Ireland. We will have a guided tour here, viewing the ruins of the ‘city’ and learning about the life of St. Kevin. Nearby in Laragh is St. Kevin’s Church where groups may have Mass. The foundation stone was laid on St. Kevin’s Feast Day in 1846 and you may observe his statue above the porch as you enter.
St Patrick’s Purgatory, Lough Derg
St. Patrick’s Purgatory is more officially known as the Sanctuary of Lough Derg, or just Lough Derg for short. It is believed that Christ revealed a cave here to St. Patrick that was an entrance to Purgatory. We usually have a guided tour of the Lough Derg Visitor Centre and Museum, followed by a boat tour around Saints Island and then St. Patrick’s Purgatory itself, learning about the history of this ancient pilgrimage site. The sanctuary allows for pilgrimage groups to have Mass in St. Mary’s Chapel while visiting. A day trip here is a wonderful experience.
St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh
Interestingly, there are two beautiful cathedrals in Armagh both named after St. Patrick. The Roman Catholic one is located upon a hill with a panoramic view of the city and countryside. Pilgrimage groups may enjoy a guided tour inside. According to tradition and the Book of Armagh, St. Patrick united a fawn with its mother on the hill where this neo-gothic cathedral now stands. We may view the great east window depicting this scene.
Rock of Cashel
Also known as St. Patrick’s Rock. This historic, hill-top fortress is deeply rooted in Irish heritage and identity. It is believed that St. Patrick came here to convert the King of Munster to Christianity and, during the ceremony, accidentally drove his staff onto the king’s foot. We can view St. Patrick’s Cross and the last surviving Romanesque frescoes in Ireland in Cormac’s Chapel, among many other sights.
Thinking about a pilgrimage to Ireland?
Give our office a call on 01793 881166 or email info@allsaintstravel for assistance.
If you would like to plan your own pilgrimage group, you can request a tailor-made itinerary here.
