The Emerald Isle is a land of great beauty and turbulent unrest, raucous laughter and bitter tears. Steeped in a rich Christian tradition, it was once known as the ‘Land of Saints and Scholars’. But today, Ireland is in the midst of a great collective change.
Wonder Voyage has been traveling to this radiant isle since 1996. We have gained a knowledgeable ability to move through this stunning landscape as privileged insiders. Whether it is a unique accommodation, like a pious monastery or an inn on the Aran Isles, or the smell of a peat fire in a quaint village, Ireland never disappoints. This once ‘edge of the world’ people always welcome us with open arms, a warm cup of tea, and a “Cead Mile Failte.” Join Wonder Voyage for pilgrimage or a missions trip to Ireland.
Overview
- Explore ancient churches that echo the land of saints and scholars.
- Live in a monastery and partake of the daily spiritual rhythm.
- Visit the Aran Islands and enjoy the most Irish of all Irish locations.
- Create an arts exchange where you can share music, theatre or stories with others.
- Take in an evening of foot-stomping Irish music or hear the yarns of storytellers.
Itinerary
Every Wonder Voyage itinerary (mission trip and/or pilgrimage) is personalized to the desires, direction and personality of each group. This itinerary is only a description of the kind of journey we can create for your unique team.
- Day 1- A Hundred Thousand Welcomes
Welcome to the Emerald Isle! Our road leads south to the ancient monastic settlement of Glendalough. Founded by St. Kevin in the early 7th Century, Glendalough became a city renowned in Ireland for faith and learning. From here, we travel to County Wexford to a gorgeous retreat center, a 300-year-old converted farm that is a taste of rural Ireland. As we explore the Irish culture and countryside, we also ponder our life of faith and seek to encounter God in both ordinary and extraordinary places. - Day 2 – Famine and Feast
To understand the Irish, one must understand the Great Irish Famine that hit the Emerald Isle in the mid-1800s. Over a million people died, and a million more fled the country in a massive emigration. Did you know there are more Irish in the US than in Ireland? We will hear the story of the Great Famine in a unique way. In the afternoon, we visit the charming village of Inistioge and walk the trails of an English manor of old. - Day 3 – Centuries of Faith
Today, we travel through time as we visit the community of Graiguenamanagh. We will walk along the beautiful tow path of the Barrow River to St. Mullins, a sacred location whose few small acres contain over 1600 years of Christian history. The ancient churches, the holy well where people sought a cure from the Black Plague, and the ruins of a motte and bailey all hold stories of the saints who walked these paths before us. - Day 4 – Breathtaking Majesty
In the Nicene Creeds, we profess our faith in God as the “creator of heaven and earth.” The beauty and wonder of God’s creation fills the day today. Our first stop is the glacial valley of Coumshingaun. The majestic views of the hike are guaranteed to be some of the most memorable of our lives. Afterward, we visit the 300-foot Mahon Falls, where the Mahon River flows from the Comeragh Mountain Plateau. A deeper awareness of God in the breathtaking beauty of creation is easy to find in this remarkable location. - Day 5 – Beacon
Dunbrody Abbey was founded on the peninsula in the late 12th Century and flourished for centuries. There are surprises to be revealed. Hook Head Lighthouse is one of the oldest operational lighthouses in the world. The existing structure dates back more than 800 years, but missionary monks were said to have established a beacon there as early as the 5th century. - Day 6- Waterford Sabbath
On this Sabbath day, we engage in fellowship, prayer, and the breaking of bread during a Holy Eucharist at the historic Christ Church Cathedral in Waterford. This sacred space has been a place of worship for 1000 years. The afternoon allows time to comb the Waterford streets, exploring Irish and Norse history. - Day 7 – Wild Island Adventure
No visit to Ireland is complete without a visit to the Irish Sea. This day is about coastal exploration before boarding a ship to a remote pirate island, now a sanctuary for puffins. As we explore, it is with hearts full of the knowledge that a life with God is its kind of grand adventure. The end of the day brings us to a time of celebration and recollection as we orient our pilgrims’ feet and hearts toward home. - Day 8 – Presence
It is time to say goodbye to this beautiful and historic land. We part with the reminder that a life of faith is a journey, not an event. As a new leg of this journey begins, may you seek to meet God along the way and continue to be transformed by each sacred encounter. One last adventure before you head home.
Legacy Location
Legacy in Ireland
Starting at
$1615* per person
- *This is the base cost of the trip. Your cost may differ depending on housing, activities, etc.
