DISCOVER THE TRAVEL PROGRAM

Day 1: City of origin – Dublin. FASTEN YOUR SEATBELTS, BEGIN THE ADVENTURE.

The flight to Dublin brings an exciting adventure that for 13 days and 12 nights invites you to enjoy Ireland, at your own pace. When you arrive at the airport in the Irish capital, collect your car at the rental agency. Remember that in Ireland they drive on the left (be careful of roundabouts) and the car controls are also on the opposite side. Head to the hotel, but do not unpack. You have one night to discover wonderful Dublin and, the next day, you will begin this exciting journey.

Days: 2, 3 and 4 (22, 23 and 24 August). DISCOVER THE VIBRANT CAPITAL OF IRELAND AND PARTICIPATE IN THE WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES

From 22 to 24 August, you will be able to attend the Pastoral Congress for the World Meeting of Families on the theme « The Gospel of the Family: Joy for the World » chosen by the Holy Father. The Congress will include an enriching program for adults with important speakers, workshops, lectures, testimonies and debates; a motivating and engaging program for young people, and fun activities for children. There will also be a daily celebration of the Eucharist, prayer activities, cultural events and music concerts.

In addition, during these days you can visit Dublin, the lively capital of Ireland. We recommend you to visit some of its most famous attractions such as the beautiful St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin Castle, Trinity College, Ireland’s oldest university and where you can visit its magnificent library, Town Hall, National Gallery of Ireland, Phoenix Park or the Dublinia exhibition. And if you’re a beer lover, you cannot miss the genuine Guinness Storehouse, where you can try one of the most famous beers in the world.

Day: 5 (August 25). DISCOVER DUBLIN’S CHARMS FROM THE RIVER LIFFEY AND ENJOY THE GREAT FAMILY FESTIVAL

Today you have all morning free. We suggest you discover Dublin’s charms from the River Liffey. Join one of the exciting riverside excursions that run daily on the River Liffey! From a boat equipped with all the comforts and thanks to an expert guide, you will be able to find out about the important historical stages of the city, from the arrival of the vikings a millennium ago, to the important development that the city experienced in the nineteenth century and the significant work of rehabilitation of the docks. During your boat trip, you will be able to recall outstanding legends and photograph outstanding tourist attractions of the city. During the river tour you will cross famous sites such as the Ha ‘Penny bridge or the Grand Canal. And if you prefer to explore Dublin by land you can get on some of the colorful tour buses that run through the city and stop in the most significant places.

In the afternoon, the Grand Festival of Families will take place, one of the most beautiful and significant events of the World Meeting of Families. It is a celebration of family life around the world with music and dance shows, as well as the testimony of faith of five families chosen from different parts of the world. You’ll love it

Day 6 (August 26). END OF CONGRESS AND UNFORGETTABLE EXCURSIONS

Today the World Meeting of Families concludes with a solemn Eucharistic Celebration which will bring together people and families from all over the world in communion and thanksgiving.

Afterwards, we recommend traveling to the small fishing village of Howth, just 20 minutes by train from Dublin. This ancient fishing peninnsula is visited by numerous tourists attracted by its interesting bird observatory. Also, marine mammals, such as seals, often come to the port to be fed by visitors. In Howth, the castle of the same name, owned by the Gaisford St. Lawrence family, resides there. Although you can not visit its interior, it can be enjoyable to visit its elegant gardens. Near Howth, you will find Ireland’s eye where the ecclesiastical remains of an ancient monastery are preserved and from where a great variety of birds can be observed. The Ireland’s Eye can be visited exclusively in summer, so you’re very lucky. Do not miss it!

Back in Dublin, we encourage you to leisurely wander the mythical Ha’Penny Bridge to the picturesque streets of the Temple Bar area that will catch you for its constant lively nightlife that focuses on its historic pubs where you can enjoy with the cozy dublin chords of traditional music and refreshing pints. Here’s to a good night!

Day 7 (27 August): Dublin – Galway. A COUNTY OF STORIES

Breakfast. Depart in your rental car towards Galway, through the rich pastures of the countryside. Along the way you will find the Victorian house, gardens and Belvedere park, on the shores of Lake Ennell. These sites inspired Jonathan Swift, author of « Gulliver’s Travels ». Before crossing the river Shannon, you can visit Clonmacnoise, an abbey and a monastery of the Christian faith. The next destination will be the lively city that gives name to the county. In the fifteenth and sixteenth century, Spanish ships would stop off in Galway port to trade. That is why, even today, monuments like the « Spanish arch » recall the good relationship between the two countries.

Day 8 (28 August): Galway – Connemara Region. INHERITED NATURE

After breakfast, we recommend that you head to the Connemara Region, north-west of Galway, famous for the wild beauty of its landscapes, lakes, mountains and hidden valleys. The wonderful landscape will accompany you throughout the tour, where you can visit the Connemara National Park. Irish red foxes and deer roam freely among mountains, marshes and meadows. In addition, the park houses remnents of human civilization, like megalithic tombs 4,000 years old. Do not forget to visit the magnificent Kylemore Abbey, which formerly belonged to the grounds that now make up the national park. For accommodation, choose one of the many guest houses in the area.

Day 9 (29 August): Connemara Region. THE CONSERVATION OF GAELIC TRADITIONS

Next, we invite you to get lost in the Connemara region, which harbours the most ancient traditions in a genuine Irish landscape. In little pockets along the ragged coast, in areas called the Gaeltacht, people still speak the Irish language. The sounds of uileann pipes and tin whistes flood the lively pubs of the area. If you take yourself inland, you will discover the Twelve Bens mountain range, a mountain range with peaks between 500 and 700 meters, which delight the hikers in summer.

Day 10 (30 August): Connemara Region – County Clare. WONDERS FROM WEST TO EAST

The next day, the journey continues through Galway to County Clare. Clare’s natural attractions will awaken your admiration at first sight. The county is full of exceptional landscapes, from the rugged charm of the Atlantic coast, whipped by waves and wind, to the famous Shannon River and Lough Derg, located on the east side, where you can enjoy charming villages such as Mountshannon and Killaloe. You mustn’t miss the spectacular Cliffs of Moher, which rush over the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and extend for eight kilometers. They reach an impressive height of up to 214 meters. Select a guest house for the night; in this area there are many with spectacular views.

Day 11 (31 August): County Clare – Kilkenny. THE CROSS OF IRELAND

On the final stretch, travel with your rental car inland. During the tour you will pass through small towns and typical Irish villages. The visit to the Castle « Rock of Cashel », in the heart of County Tipperary, one of the most visited places in Ireland, is a must. It is an ancient fortress dating from the 12th and 13th centuries, the throne of the Elderly Kings of Ireland before the arrival of the Normans. The castle rises majestically on a hill and represents one of the best Celtic and medieval architectural examples. In addition, it is said that it was here that the King of Munster was converted to Christianity by St. Patrick in the 5th century. The high Irish crosses found in this enclave have become iconic designs of the country’s jewelry. Then head for the night to the town of Kilkenny, famous for its medieval buildings and local crafts.

Day 12 (1 September): Kilkenny – Dublin. MEDIEVAL ARCHITECTURE

Kilkenny is the last city we suggest you visit before heading to Dublin. The journey continues for a little more than an hour and a half, so before you leave, you can take the opportunity to visit the famous 12th-century Norman castle of Kilkenny, visit the 13th-century Black Abbey which contains one of the most spectacular rosettes in Ireland, with 10,000 pieces of ruby ​​and sapphire glass, or take advantage to buy some souveneirs. The farewell night will take place in Dublin.

Day 13 (2 of September): City of origin – Spain. SAFE HOME (SLÁN ABHAILE)

After more than a week of travel, surely the memory of the West Coast remains engraved forever in your heart It’s time to bid farewell to the wild landscapes, the kilometer-long beaches, the Celtic customs, the stunning cliffs and the Irish hospitality. Make your way back to the airport, to return the rental car and take off for home.

EXPERIENCES

GET TOGETHER WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS FOR A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE
The host of the World Meeting of Families 2018
The event will be held in Dublin from 21 to 26 August 2018

Head to Ireland and take part in the World Meeting of Families to be held in Dublin from 21 to 26 August 2018. A unique opportunity to experience with your loved ones an unforgettable journey that will transform your lives forever. Can you think of a better way to spend your summer vacation?

WELCOME TO THE EMERALD ISLE!

Take a spiritual journey in which you will also get to know the cosmopolitan and friendly city of Dublin and discover an important historical and cultural legacy, a lively and fun atmosphere, delicious choice of cuisine and the beautiful landscapes that have given so much to this European country.

Come and enjoy with your family and friends a unique experience in which you can live your faith together with Pope Francis, feel the strength of spiritual communion and share experiences with families and young people from all corners of the world. Don’t miss it!

VISITING ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS UNIVERSITIES IN THE WORLD
Discover the lively student atmosphere of Trinity College Dublin
Personalities such as Jonathan Swift, Samuel Beckett and Oscar Wilde studied here.

Did you know that Trinity College Dublin is the oldest university in Ireland and one of the most prestigious in the world? Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I, international personalities such as Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift and Samuel Beckett passed through their classrooms.
Its rich library condenses the cultural wealth of the city, whose crown jewel is the « Book of Kells ». And it is that Trinity owns the largest collection of manuscripts and printed books in Ireland. Since 1801, Trinity Library has received a copy of all the works published in Ireland and Great Britain, thanks to which it currently has almost three million books distributed in eight buildings.

TRADITION AND MODERNISM IN AN ATTRACTIVE UNIVERSITY ENVIRONMENT

During your visit we recommend that you get lost in all its corners, relax in its small parks, admire its elegant buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries that contrast with contemporary sculptures such as Henry Moore and soak up the university atmosphere.

As soon as you enter the main door you will find the bell tower, about 30 meters in height, designed by Edward Lanyon and erected in 1853 in the place where the center of the old monastery is believed to have been. On the north side of the square stands the chapel, designed by William Chambers and finished in 1799. You can only see its interior by previously arranging a guided tour.

The Dining Hall, the Library Square, the Douglas Hyde Gallery, the Science Gallery and the Samuel Beckett Theater are just some of the attractions of this academic campus which offers the visitor a traditional and modern city.

RELAX IN THE CITY’S BEAUTIFUL GREEN SPACE
Walk the Phoenix Park or go by bike
Get to know  the largest urban park in Europe

With more than 700 hectares of extension, the Phoenix Park is the largest urban park in Europe. Created in 1662 as a deer reserve, in 1745 it was remodeled and opened to the public. Located just a few miles from Dublin city centre, the Phoenix Park is an important green space for the city, as well as a pleasant place to bike.

We recommend you visit the following points:

1. Phoenix Monument. It is a small column crowned by a sculpture of the mythical bird, a Phoenix, that gives name to the park
2. Dublin Zoo. Visiting the zoo, one of the oldest in the world, is always a good option to enjoy nature in the middle of the city. Frequented by locals and tourists from all over the world, it was inaugurated in 1830 with a single resident: a wild boar.
3. Papal Cross. Discover this cross located in the place where in 1979 the Pope celebrated a mass before a million followers.
4. Wellington Monument. Take a picture of yourself in front of this obelisk which is 63 meters in height, erected in honor to the Duke of Wellington. It took more than 40 years to build.
5. Áras an Uachtaráin. The official residence of the President of Ireland.
6. People’s Garden is the only gardened and cultivated part of the park. You will find it next to the Park Gate entrance

GET TO KNOW ALL THE DETAILS OF HIS HISTORY AND PRODUCTION
Visit the iconic Guinness Storehouse
From the Gravity Bar you can savour Dublin while tasting one of the best beers in the world

If you are a beer lover, you can not leave Dublin without visiting the Guinness Storehouse, one of the most authentic places in the city. During your visit, you will have the opportunity to find out informaiton about the history and production of the most favoured drink in these lands. Its reddish color, its characteristic smell and its intense flavor have made of the pint one of the preferred pleasures of Dubliners. The visit to the Guinness Storehouse begins on the ground floor of the main building, which you will recognise for its curious form of enormous pint of beer. Here you can see the copy of the brewery lease signed by Arthur Guinness in 1759 for 9,000 years and an interesting exhibition where you will know all the secrets surrounding the four ingredients that make up the beer: water, hops, barley and yeast.
On the first floor, the process of brewing is explained.

A large room contains the old machinery used in the factory: a mill, a toaster, a alembic and giant wooden barrels. For its part, the second floor offers the visitor an interesting tour through the history of this emblematic beer that you will know thanks to the advertising campaigns developed by Guinness throughout history. On the third floor visitors are offered the possibility to test their knowledge about alcohol through different interactive games. On the fourth floor an exhibition tells the history of the building, from 1904 until its conversion in 2000 into a visitor center.

At end of this excursion on the fifth floor, visitors are offered the chance to pull their own pint, giving them a diploma that credits their skills. The tour finishes on the roof of the building, known as Gravity Bar, a pleasant place from which you can admire the views of the city while tasting a pint on the house. A unique experience.

ENJOY ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND AMAZING SCENES IN IRELAND
Discover all the secrets of Dublin aboard a boat
River excursions along the River Liffey, a new and fun way to see the sights

Embark on a leisurely cruise and discover all the secrets of the River Liffey and the charming city of Dublin. While you enjoy some of the country’s most beautiful scenery, you will learn from an expert guide the history of this city, since the arrival of the Vikings, 1000 years ago, the apogee and development of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the rehabilitation of the Dublin quays and the many attractions that have turned this city into one of the main European capitals. During the crossing, you will cross the symbolic Ha’penny Bridge, the majestic Custom House, the Royal Canal and the Grand Canal, as well as discovering that much of modern Dublin sits on land reclaimed from the sea, which includes Trinity College and The Spire on O’Connell Street.

DISCOVER THE INTERNATIONAL OYSTER FESTIVAL
Taste of the sea and Guinness
From the Atlantic to the table

The restless city of Galway at the end of September celebrates a festival that is a hit with seafood lovers; it is the International Festival of Oysters and Seafood, which in 2017 celebrated its 63th year. Over the course of a weekend, the city dresses up and thousands of people gather together and have the chance to taste more than 10,000 oysters. Those who are not a fan of this succulent delicacy of the sea, should not let that stop them!  In the year 2000, was described by the Sunday Times as « one of the 12 greatest events on earth ». The festival also has an interesting competition to determine who is the fastest oyster opener on the planet.

ADVENTURE IN THE PREHISTORIC FORT OF DUN AENGUS
A strong fort of history
The largest fort in the Aran Islands

Dun Aengus Fort is located on the island of Inishmore, on the edge of a cliff 100 meters high. It is the largest prehistoric fort in the Aran Islands and its name means « Aengus fort » in reference to the god of Irish mythology. It is formed by four concentric walls, that in some points, reach  four meters in thickness. In addition to its use to defend the westernmost point of Europe, it could be used as a place of worship for the Druids.

VISIT TO KILBEGGAN DISTILLERY
Flavoured by over 250 years of perfection
The strength of the mill

On the way to Galway, an hour’s drive from Dublin, you will find the Kilbeggan Museum Distillery, a unique visit to one of the oldest whiskey distilleries in the world. Its walls hide 256 years of tradition in producing this precious whiskey. It is located on the waters of the river Brosna and in its facilities a mill was built to take advantage of the fluvial force and to move the machinery. The guided tour allows you to find out about the facilities in perfect condition (originating from 1757) and to attend a tasting to try the distillery’s different whiskeys. Although today it functions as a museum, you can see the entire process of distillation initiated by the traditional mill.

DISCOVER THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF CONNEMARA
Experience a unique experience with nature
More than just a park, a place where the past of Connemara comes alive

Connemara National Park is one of six national parks in Ireland and main tourist attractions of the country, situated in the west of Ireland, in County Galway. Within the park you can climb Diamond Hill, from where you will behold one of the best views, including the only Irish fjord, Killary.

It has an area of almost 3,000 hectares of mountains, peatlands, heathlands, grasses and forests. You can also find great diversity of birds, as numerous singing birds that nest in the trees. If you visit in winter, you will have the opportunity to see a greater number of species that migrate here from other parts of Europe. Although most of the mammals of the park usually hide in the presence of humans, you will be kept busy trying to find the traces and signs that indicate their presence. Be patient and you can meet them on your way.

In addition to flora and fauna, you will also discover remains of human civilization in the park, such as megalithic tombs which are 4,000 years old. Much of the land was in the past part of the site of Kylemore Abbey, which is located within walking distance of the park and is also highly recommended.

KILKENNY CASTLE
Immerse yourself in history within the castle walls
You will be able to enjoy one of the most important art galleries inIreland in this monumental fortress

The picturesque Kilkenny Castle, a site located in the center of the town, is a Norman fortress with more than eight centuries of history. It is one of the largest castles in the world and is one of the most visited places by tourists. There you can lose yourself in its three wings and six floors full of artistic treasures. The Butler family came to Ireland with the Norman invasion, and the castle belonged to them until the mid-twentieth century when it was sold to a committee specialized in restoration, later to pass into the hands of the state and open its doors to the public. In its basement, you can discover the Butler Gallery, a gallery dedicated to different works of contemporary Irish and international art.