September 22 – October 3, 2025

Join Frs. Adam Hertzfeld (St. Michael, Findlay, OH) and Monte Hoyles (Sandusky Catholic Parishes, OH) on a pilgrimage to Ireland and Scotland. Make memories that will remain a lifetime exploring the history of the Christians in Emerald Isle. Explore ancient ruins and castles, including St. Andrew’s, Edinburgh, Kilkenny, “Blarney Stone”. Visit the apparition site of Our Lady of Knock. Enjoy the music, food, and culture of these serene countries! Your chaplains will offer the sacrifice of Holy Mass daily at many of these holy sites.

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Travel Itinerary
**Subject to change

Day 1: Mon, Sept 22: Depart USA
Depart USA for overnight flight to Edinburgh, Scotland.

Day 2: Tue, Sept 23: EDINBURGH / ST ANDREW’S
This morning we arrive in Edinburgh. We depart for St Andrew’s. Visit the historic ruins of St. Andrew’s Castle and Cathedral. Learn about the Apostle Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland, and explore the remains of what was once Scotland’s largest cathedral, a major shrine for Christians despite being ransacked during the Scottish Reformation. Attend Mass at the Church of St. James at this small Roman Catholic parish, beautifully located on a clifftop overlooking the North Sea. Spend some quiet moments in reflection and enjoy the stunning views. St. Andrew’s is also known worldwide as the home of golf. Discover the birthplace of golf at the Old Course, one of the oldest and most famous golf courses in the world. Take a guided tour or enjoy a round of golf if time permits. Dinner and overnight in St Andrew’s.

Day 3: Wed, Sept 24: ST ANDREW’S/ ELGIN AREA
After breakfast we depart for Elgin. Explore the ruins of Elgin Cathedral, known for its stunning Gothic architecture and rich history. Learn about its significance and the historical events that shaped its current state. Visit the world’s northernmost functioning Benedictine abbey. Take a tour of the abbey, meet the monks, and experience the tranquility and spirituality of this unique location. In the afternoon visit The Macallan Distillery, famous for its single malt Scotch whisky. Enjoy a tasting session and learn about the distillation process that makes Macallan whisky so special, pending confirmation and availability. Dinner and overnight in Elgin Area.

Day 4: Thu, Sept 25: EDINBURGH
This morning we depart for Edinburgh. We enjoy a full day here with visits to include the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the Queen when she is visiting Scotland as well as Edinburgh Castle for a grand tour of this popular tourist destination. We will also visit Saint Patrick’s Church, where we will see the Shrine to the Venerable Margaret Sinclair (Sister Mary Francis of the Five Wounds) as well as a Shrine to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Dinner and overnight in Edinburgh.

Day 5: Fri, Sept 26: EDINBURGH/ GLASGOW
This morning visit Scotland’s national Marian shrine, Carfin Grotto before we arrive in Glasgow. Designed to resemble the Grotto at Massabielle (Our Lady of Lourdes), this serene location has been a place of procession and prayer since the early 20th century. Reflect on its history and significance. Continue on to our hotel in Glasgow for dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Sat, Sept 27: GLASGOW / BELFAST
This morning we leave Glasgow for the port of Cairnryan to board the ferry to Belfast, the capital of the Republic of Northern Ireland, where we will pass the Harland & Wolff shipyard where Titanic was built. After some time to take pictures, we arrive at our hotel in Belfast for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 7: Sun, Sept 28: BELFAST/KNOCK
This morning we depart for Knock, where we visit the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of Knock, the single most important Marian Shrine in all of Ireland. We visit and celebrate Mass in the Apparition Chapel where the apparition of Our Lady, Saint Joseph and Saint John the Evangelist occurred and was witnessed by some 15 people in 1879. Dinner and overnight in Knock.

Day 8: Mon, Sept 29: KNOCK/ GALWAY/ CLIFFS OF MOHER/ KILLARNEY
This morning, we continue on to Galway City for a walking tour of this seaside city and a visit to the beautifully stained-glass Galway Cathedral. We drive to the dramatic Cliffs of Moher which span some five miles along the rugged coastline and reach heights of greater than 700 feet over the Atlantic Ocean. We continue north and drive through The Burren, a vast lunar-like landscape harboring some 2000 species of rare flowers and plants that live on top of unique rock formations. In the afternoon, we will arrive in Killarney, where we will visit Killarney’s Cathedral for our celebration of Mass. Dinner and overnight in Killarney.

Day 9: Tue, Sept 30: KILLARNEY / BLARNEY/ COBH/ KILKENNY
This morning we arrive in picturesque Blarney and an opportunity to climb the staircase of the 15th century Blarney Castle, famous for the “Blarney Stone,” the legendary “Stone of Eloquence”. It is believed that after kissing the Blarney Stone, you will never again be lost for words. While here, we take time to shop at the famous Blarney Woolen Mill. In the afternoon we arrive in the harbor town of Cobh where we visit and celebrate Mass at Saint Colman’s Cathedral, followed by a visit to Cobh’s heritage center where we see an exhibit about the Old Queenstown Story, including its ties with the “unsinkable” Titanic. Finally, we arrive at our hotel for dinner and overnight in Kilkenny.

Day 10: Wed, Oct 1: KILKENNY/ GLENDALOUGH/ DUBLIN
This morning we will visit the Kilkenny Castle. Following our visit we drive to peaceful Glendalough, where upon our arrival we will celebrate Mass at Saint Kevin’s Church. Following free time for lunch, we enjoy a guided tour of the ruins of Saint Kevin’s Monastery.After that we driver for Dublin and we will visit Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, which was founded in 1190. We explore this famed Cathedral’s majestic interior rich with ancient relics. Dinner and overnight in Dublin.

Day 11: Thu, Oct 2: DUBLIN
Today we will visit and celebrate Mass at Saint Mary’s Pro Cathedral. Following Mass we will visit the Legion of Mary, a lay organization whose members volunteer their time in service of the Catholic Church. Here we will learn about the life’s work of Frank Duff, “Servant of God”, who founded the Legion of Mary in 1921. In the afternoon we will visit the Kilmainham Gaol (Jail), which housed many prisoners from the Irish Rebellion of 1916. Our day of sightseeing in Dublin concludes with a visit to the highly renowned Guinness Brewery and its “Storehouse”, including its Hop Store and Visitor’s Centre. Here we sample the brewery’s latest batch of their famous libation from high atop their observation deck overlooking Dublin. The remainder of our day is free to explore Dublin on our own. Dinner and overnight in Dublin.

Day 12: Fri, Oct 3: DUBLIN / USA
This morning we depart for the airport and board our con- necting flight home. Though our tour of Ireland & Scotland draws to a close, its blessings and memories will remain with us for a lifetime.

NOTE: While no changes are anticipated, there may be occasions when certain alterations become necessary to this itinerary due to changes beyond our control. All Masses are subject to final confirmation.

[Click to download Travel Itinerary & Terms and Conditions or Registration Form]

For additional information, questions, or to join us contact us at 419-290-8782 or maggie@CatholicFaithJourneys.com

LAND-ONLY COST

The land-only price of $4,649.00 per person is is payable with Cash or Check (based on a minimum of 40 participants with double occupancy). All Credit card payments will incur a 5% surcharge. *Price could change depending on the currency exchange rate mid to late 2025. We are unable to predict this aspect of the program so far in advance of travel.

GROUP AIRFARE COST

If you would like to participate in the Group airfare Add: $ 1,170.00 per person, cash/check and mark “Yes” on the registration form. DTW /EDI – DUB/DTW Pilgrims may leave from ANY AIRPORT, but please contact Maggie to arrange flights from another domestic or international airport. DO NOT BOOK AIRFARE WITHOUT SPEAKING WITH MAGGIE!

Included

10 nights accommodations
Breakfasts and Dinners daily
English speaking tour escort / guide throughout
Private motor coach throughout
Transfers from international airport, for those on group air
Entrance fees as noted in itinerary
Private Mass arrangements daily (Locations noted pending confirmation)
Tips for Tour escort/guides & driver
Taxes and fuel surcharge (subject to increase 30 days prior to departure)

Not Included

Group round trip air from Detroit (DTW) – Add $ 1,170.00 per person
Optional Travel insurance – (STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!! consider using our trusted affiliate partner. Note: some countries may require travel insurance.)
Lunches & beverages w/meals other than those listed in “included”
Transportation to/from Domestic Airport
Mass donations
Items of personal nature
Any item(s) not specifically mentioned
Any/all Covid-19 or other test(s) that may be required by airlines, departing/arriving countries and transfer countries. (Nothing required at this printing.)
New ETIAS travel authorization (due to be required in 2025; the exact start date has not yet been announced.)
Airline-imposed baggage fees
Limited Single Rooms – CALL FOR AVAILABILITY AND COST. Maggie – 419-290-8782

**Catholic Faith Journeys, LLC cannot change the cancellation terms or conditions based on the issuance of any warning or advisory issued by the State Department or Center of Disease Control, or the occurrence of any terror, health or other incident in one or more of the places this pilgrimage is scheduled to visit. All cancellation penalties remain in full force and effect. You are strongly encouraged to purchase Travel Insurance to protect your financial investment and any health issues you may have while traveling.

Click Here to Download the Registration Form!