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Tour departs September 15, 2011. Our next offering in IRELAND will be in 2013. If you're not already receiving our monthly Sacred Sites Journeys newsletter and would like to be notified about this spiritual pilgrimage, you can Sign Up Here! 
TOUR DESCRIPTION Come with us on our spiritual pilgrimage to the Emerald Isle, where the ancient Sacred Sites await you! Experience the powerful energies at stone circles, holy wells, & passage tombs as we travel to these magical places in Ireland's wildly beautiful countryside! 
UNESCO World Heritage site of NEWGRANGE, THE HILL OF TARA, the
Mother Womb of Ireland 5,000 year old Bronze Age DRUID STONE
CIRCLE at Kenmare, GRANGE STONE CIRCLE, dedicated to Aine, Celtic Goddess HOLY WELL at Ballyvourney dedicated to the Divine Feminine and Her powers of healing KILLARNEY NATIONAL PARK:
Innisfallen Island, with it's ancient Celtic Cross where you can leave offerings
for good luck; RING OF KERRY, a winding scenic route in southwestern Ireland, SISTERS OF BRIDGET CENTER in Kildare, with Holy Flame and Holy Well Plus, you'll have time to explore on your own in Killarney and
Dublin
TOUR PERSONNEL Director of Sacred Sites Journeys
She is the co-Director of and Teacher in The Khemit School of Ancient Mysticism, a modern-day Egyptian Mystery School, a trained Shamanic Practitioner, the creator and Reiki Master Teacher of Ichi Sekai (One World) Reiki, a Spiritual Counselor, and a Teacher in The Seven Rays of Healing School. Andrea is also the North American Grand Prioress of The International Order of Gnostic Templars, a contemporary division of the Scottish Knight Templars that is dedicated to the revival of the Goddess Tradition and Gnostic Wisdom on the planet. For more information, visit The International Order of Gnostic Templars.
BRIEF TOUR ITINERARY Day 9. Friday, September 23. Autumn Equinox! Newgrange
& Knowth, Hill of Tara, Farewell Dinner (B) (For a more detailed itinerary, scroll down) TOUR ITINERARY Day 1. Thursday, September 15. Arrive Ireland, To Killarney, Welcome
Dinner (D)
Day 3. Saturday, September 17. Paps of Anu, Sacred Well, Sheela-Na-Gig,
Free Time, Sharing Circle (B)
Afterwards we
continue on our drive along the Ring, stopping at a grouping of ancient stones with
Ogham writing on them. Ogham, Also written as ogam or ogum, is pronounced
"AHG-m" or "OH-ehm." The marks on the edges of the stones are
characters from an alphabet that was used in Ireland in the 5th century CE. The 25-letter
alphabet for one of the ancient Celtic languages, supposedly inspired by Ogma, God of
Eloquence, was carved and read from bottom to top. Though its origin is uncertain, some
researches believe it may have been adapted from a sign language. Others believe that the
names of the main twenty letters are also the names of 20 trees that were sacred to the
druids. The Book of Ballymote, a 15th century treatise on Ogham, confirms that
the language was secret and ritualistic. The ancient stones in this grouping have been
moved to the site from an area that was not so accessible; for this we can be thankful, as
we are able to get up close and personal with them. We only have to step out of our
motorcoach and walk a few steps across the road to explore the ancient inscriptions and
energies. Some are very powerful indeed, still pulsing with energies!
Day 6. Tuesday, September 20. Grange Stone Circle, To Dublin (B) We
continue to Limerick and board the train for Dublin, arriving early to mid afternoon. Dublin
is the capital of and largest city in Ireland, located near the midpoint of Ireland's east
coast, at the mouth of the River Liffey. A city with humble beginnings as a Viking trading
port, Dublin evolved into a walled medieval city and then into an elegant Georgian
metropolis with wide streets, gracious squares and great houses, neatly bordered by its
two canals. We check into our hotel located near the heart of the city. Dinner on your
own. Overnight Dublin. Day 8. Thursday, September 22. Dublin, Free Time (B) Day 10. Saturday, September 24. Depart Ireland (B) Note:
This itinerary is subject to change due to conditions beyond our control. "The spiritual pilgrimage to Ireland was very rewarding.
I especially enjoyed the sacred sites of Newgrange and Skellig Michael, and the sacred
wells. Ireland its people are beautiful. We even had great weather!" -
L. Merrill - KS
- Accommodations in charming 3-star Irish B and B's and hotels (includes taxes, service charges & daily breakfast) - Group roundtrip transfers via motorcoach: Shannon Airport / B & B in Killarney and Dublin hotel/ Dublin Airport - Daily breakfast; 1 lunch, 2 dinners - Motorcoach transportation throughout - Sightseeing as per the itinerary, including entrance fees - Pre-Paid Gratuities - Local Guide at Newgrange Special Features - Travel in a smaller group with other spirit-centered people - Fully escorted from Shannon by SSJ's Director, Andrea Mikana-Pinkham, Teacher of Celtic Spirituality - Sacred ceremonies and meditations facilitated by Andrea Mikana-Pinkham - Optional Sharing Circles - Killarney Area: Innisfallen Island, Ross Castle, Paps of Anu, Sacred Well, Sheela-Na-Gig, Druid's Stone Circle, Kenmare, Torc Waterfall and the Ring of Kerry - Grange Stone Circle - Sisters of Bridget Center in Kildare - Free Day in Dublin - Autumn Equinox! Newgrange & Knowth and the Hill of Tara - Welcome and Farewell Dinners - Celebrate Fall Equinox in Ireland! NOT INCLUDED: - Roundtrip international air to Ireland (Arrive Shannon/Depart Dublin) - Meals not included, as indicated in the itinerary - Cost to obtain valid passport - Any items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, internet and telephone calls. Any item that is not specifically detailed on the SSJ website or final trip itinerary
TOUR PRICING This tour is LAND ONLY. You are responsible to book your international flights.ARRIVAL: Please book your international arrival on Thursday, September 15th to arrive in Shannon by 9:00AM in order to connect with our group transfer to Killarney. DEPARTURE: Please book your international departure on Saturday, September 24th to depart from Dublin no earlier than 10:00AM.  DISCOUNT!
Make ALL of your payments by check or money order and receive a 4% discount! This discount
is INCLUDED in the prices below listed for this payment option. NOTE: We are only able to take credit cards for payment up until 45 days before the tour departure date. After that you can pay with a credit card check, bank cashier's check, or money order. Or wire funds to our bank account (additional $25.00 bank wire fee applies). Per Person, double occupancy, land only $2,295.00 for payments via check or money order OR $2,391.00 for payments via credit card Single Room Supplement: NOTE: This is the additional amount you will pay if you choose to have your own private room throughout the tour. The number of single rooms for our group is limited, so book early if you want to reserve this rooming option. $449.00 for payments via check or money order OR $468.00 for payments via credit card ROOMMATES: Would you like to meet and make a new friend on your journey? If you're not traveling with anyone you know, and would like for SSJ to try to match you up with a suitable roommate, we'll be happy to try to do so. Per our Terms and Conditions, we will hold the registration for the trip open until 30 days before the departure date (or later if possible) in order to try to match you with someone. If by that date we have not been able to do so, you will be responsible to pay for the single supplement. If you would like to be matched with a roommate, please register early. TOUR REGISTRATION OUR GROUP IS FULL AND REGISTRATION IS CLOSED. Tour departs September 15, 2011. Our next offering in IRELAND will be in 2013. If you're not already receiving our monthly Sacred Sites Journeys newsletter and would like to be notified about this spiritual pilgrimage, you can Sign Up Here! Questions? Email Andrea Mikana-Pinkham at info@SacredSitesJourneys.com Or call our office at 888 501-3853 If you'd like to receive our Monthly Sacred Sites Journeys E-Newsletters, please Sign Up Here! Newsletters are sent out about once a month. Occasionally you may also receive an e-news bulletin about a specific journey or event. We will not sell or share your information with any other company or individuals. You can easily un-subscribe at any time. To read copies of our current and past E-Newsletters, Click Here! |
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We board our motor coach and
depart to Killarney, home base for our time in County Kerry and
southwestern Ireland. Arrive and check in at our charming country home Bed and Breakfast,
situated on several acres of private gardens with woodland and river walks and close to
downtown. All bedrooms are individually styled and include a private bathroom. Other
amenities are relaxing lounges with open wood and peat fires, antique furnishings, a
reading and music library, as well as DD / Multi TV / WIFI access. Settle in and rest a
bit before our Welcome Dinner at one of the local pubs or restaurants in
the nearby downtown area. 
senses at one of the
most beautiful areas in all of Ireland - Lower Lake Killarney in Killarney
National Park. We take a boat to Innisfallen Island on Lough
Leane or "Lake of Learning" named for the monastery that was built there
more than 1,000 years ago, and where the first writings of Ireland came from in the late
5th century. It was here where Brian Boru, the last High King of Ireland was educated. An
ancient Celtic Cross remains in the Romanesque chapel on the tip of the
island. People journey here from all over the world to leave their offerings for wishes to
be fulfilled. We'll leave ours! In this place of beauty and serenity, we have time for a
meditation to connect with these ancient and enduring energies.
After our picnic style box lunch we
return to shore to visit the ruins of Ross Castle, built in the 15th
century by O'Donaghue chieftains. Though most of the castle is no longer standing, a
recently restored tower is furnished as it would have been in the 16th or early 17th
century. Typical of strongholds of Irish chieftains built during the Middle Ages, the
tower house had square bartizans on diagonally opposite corners and a thick end wall. The
top of the tower offers breathtaking sweeping scenic views of the lakes and local
countryside. Legend says that that O'Donoghue leaped or was sucked out of the window of
the grand chamber at the top of the castle and disappeared into the waters of the lake
along with his horse, his table and his library. Some of the locals believe that he lives
in a great palace at the bottom of the lake where he keeps a close eye on everything that
he sees!
After
breakfast we depart for our drive through the lovely Irish countryside. As we pass the Paps
of Anu, two mountains shaped like breasts, and named after Anu,
the Mother Goddess of the Tuatha de Danann (see below). Anu or Danu
as She was also called, was originally a European Goddess, Her name being commemorated
most famously in the River Danube. She was the ancient Celtic goddess of fertility,
prosperity and comfort, a very ancient figure whose name means delight, pleasure,
and melody. She was the patroness of springs and fountains. In Celtic Christianity she
became known as St. Anne, to smooth the path of conversion, and many St. Anne's Wells are
named for Her. Commune with the Goddess Anu and open your heart to receive Her blessings!
The Tuatha Dé
Danann (People of the Goddess Danu/Anu), the Ancient Ones, or the Shining
Ones, were one of the mythical races of deities and heroes. They were skilled in art and
science, poetry and magic. Legends say they were a were a branch of the ancient seafaring
Dananns of the Mediterranean, who, beginning in the 2nd millennium BCE, abandoned some of
their coastal territories in the Aegean Sea and Asia Minor coast to conduct a series of
migrations to the windswept regions of northern Europe. Danu's son Dagda
was their most powerful leader. He came to Ireland with Arch Druids and Druidesses. Upon
reaching the shores of Ireland the magical Danaan cloaked themselves in mist, appeared
unexpectedly to the current residents, conquered them, and spread throughout the land.
Eventually they were conquered by the Milesians from Asia Minor. They retreated to Tir
na n-Og (Land of Youth) or continued to lived on the land with the Milesians, but
their homes, subterranean palaces entered solely thorough the sidh-mounds,
the "hollow hills", were hidden by magic from the eyes of mortals.
Their homes were called Sidhe (síd or sídh) or the Otherworld. Another
name for the Tuatha Dé Danann was the áes sídhe or the "People
of the Sídhe". Today they are known as the "Faery People".
These fairies are not the ones with tiny pixie with wings that are found in folklore and
children's fairy tales. Rather they are human-like, with supernatural powers.
We continue to nearby Ballyvourney
to the local sacred well dedicated to St. Gobnait, a
woman saint from the area; it has long been visited as a place of pilgrimage. Many of the
sacred wells in Ireland were originally the sites of pagan shrines. The Celts believed the
earth's waters were especially sacred and healing, that they issued from the realm of the
Underworld Goddess who ruled both birth and death, linking her domain with the Upper
World. For them, the waters represented Her eternal wisdom and Her life giving properties.
They believed that the easiest way to gain access to the Otherworld was through the divine
springs and wells. Every well had its own guardian spirit or local goddess who presided
over it. Andrea and our Guide Patricia will facilitate our sacred ritual, or
"doing the rounds", during which we will encircle the well a certain
number of times, while reciting prayers and/or affirmations. We then offer water to the
Mother Earth in thanksgiving, then to our ancestors, finally drinking of Her lifeblood! (Bring
a small plastic bottle and you can take some of the blessed water home with you!)
Afterwards we walk
to the nearby abandoned church to see one of the few remaining in-situ Irish
Sheela-na-gigs,
an ancient symbol of woman's freedom and creativity, and perhaps with the last vestiges of
what some researchers believe to be the pagan connection with Celtic Christianity. These
stone carvings of a female figure consist of an old woman squatting and pulling apart her
vulva. They are usually associated with "hags" or the Crone. The Sheela is
situated above a window on the south wall the old church. The locals still refer to Her as
the ancient Mother Goddess and regularly make their personal pilgrimages to Her,
especially each year on February 11th, the feast day of St. Gobnait. Our ritual to connect
with our own creativity will consist of rubbing of the image - to touch and feel Her,
communing through meditation. 
This morning we're
off to the large magnificently intact 5,000 year old Bronze Age Druid's Stone
Circle in nearby Kenmare, probably the largest in southwest
Ireland and the only monument of its kind found so close to a town. There are a total of
15 stones of greenstone or brownstone forming a large egg-shaped circle. The stone in the
center is an impressive boulder-burial with a giant capstone of almost seven tons. Stones
of this type cannot be found for many miles, so were undoubtedly moved to this location.
The circle may have been a sacred site for the Druids. Its exact function is unknown,
though it may have served as a calendar or as a burial site. Andrea will facilitate a meditation
to connect with these powerful ancient energies that are still very palpable in the
circle. 
We start our day with a jaunting cart
ride into the Gap of Dunloe, a magical area, full of breath-taking
scenery. As we ride along to the clip clop of our horses hooves, one of our drivers might
just burst into song in his full Irish tenor! The perfect accompaniment to our morning
communing with the sacredness of Mother Nature in one of her very special places!
Our drive takes us to Cahergall
Fort (Caher Gael) at Cahersiveen, built by the first Celts around 600
CE. Like many ancient forts the local community used it as a place of safety and performed
rituals inside the ring. Later they used it for a supply of building material after it was
abandoned around 900 CE. The current reconstruction of the dry stone wall of the
ring fort gives a good idea of what it might have looked like in its day. If the luck of
the Irish is with us today, as we walk up to the fort, we may hear the strains of a harp.
One of the local harpists may be there playing. Here we'll connect with the energy of the
palpable energies of this ancient place. 
A grange is the name
given in Ireland to a ring-fort or stone circle. The word "grange" is an English
rendering of the Irish word Grian, which means "Sun". This relates to
the theory that stone circles in Ireland were connected with sun worship. At the summer
solstice, the sunrise comes over the nearby hill of Cnoc Aine and in through the two
dolmen stones into the center of the circle. The entrance stones were aligned with the
sunset on the festival of Samhain on November 1st. This stone circle is dedicated to Aine (pronounced 
onya or enya)
the Goddess of love, growth, cattle, and also associated with light and the Sun. In her Maiden
aspect, she is the muse of poetry who bestows that gift to those she loves, or madness to
those she rejects. In her Mother aspect, she is associated with lakes and
wells with great powers of healing. In her Crone aspect, she is the dark
Goddess with the ability to appear to mortal men as a woman of great beauty, known as the leannan sidhe, or "Fairy Lover". (
After breakfast we board
our motor coach for our drive through the lovely and picturesque Irish countryside to
Kildare, where we visit the Solas Bride Center and the Sisters of
Bridget. In 1992 the Brigidine Sisters came to live in Kildare to re-connect with
their roots, to reclaim Brigid in a new way for a new millennium. They founded a small
Christian Center for Celtic Spirituality in the spirit of Brigid of Kildare. An outreach
community of women and men, who call themselves Cairde Bhride, (Friends of Brigid) has
developed around the Solas Bhride Center in association with the Brigidine Sisters.
Inspired by the values of Brigid, they work together to promote peace, justice,
reconciliation and care of the earth.
You have a free day to explore Dublin on
your own. Perhaps you'd like to visit Trinity College to view the Book
of Kells, housed in the Old Library. Or the National Museum of
Archaeology and History, with its phenomenal collection of artifacts from every
period of Irish history. View the famous Sheela-na-Gigs, as well as the
famed Tara Brooch, an exquisite example of Celtic gold and silver
metalwork dating to the beginning of the 8th century; the early 9th-century Ardagh
Chalice made of silver, gold, and bronze, found with other smaller treasures in a
Limerick potato field in 1868, as well as a replica of the Gundestrup Cauldron,
found in a peat bog at Gundestrup, Denmark and believed to be of Celtic art. You can also
view several bodies that were recovered from bogs! Dinner on your own. Overnight
Dublin. 
beautifully carved entrance
stone with its Triple Goddess spiral. The Tuatha Dé Danaan, who ruled Ireland in
ancient mythology, were said to have erected Newgrange as a burial place for their chief,
Dagda Mór, and his three sons. According to the most reliable carbon 14 dates available,
it was constructed around 3,200 BCE. Some archaeologists believe it to be the oldest
engineered building in the world! In 1993, Newgrange and its sister sites Knowth
and Dowth were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As we
walk this hallowed ground and enter into the passage tomb, take time to focus and connect
with the Ancient Ones who built this phenomenal sacred site. If Knowth is open, we will
also be able to visit this site. Lunch on your own at the Visitors Center and time to
visit the gift shop for souvenirs. 
We then visit another of
Ireland's most important sacred sites, the Hill of Tara, which is said to
represent the
mother womb of Ireland. The Hill was the ancient seat of power in Ireland - 142 kings are
said to have reigned there in prehistoric and historic times. In ancient Irish religion
and mythology it was the sacred dwelling place of the Tuatha Dé Dannan, and was the
entrance to the Otherworld. Sitting on top of the King's Seat is a replica of the most
famous of Tara's monuments, Ireland's ancient coronation stone, known as the Lia Fail
or Stone of Destiny, which was brought here according to mythology by the
Dannan as one of their sacred objects. It was said to roar when touched by the rightful
king of Tara.