Sacred Journey along the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland

NOTE: This is a PRIVATE group experience intended for Unity of Houston community and their close contacts.

Join Rev Michael Gott on a journey to Ireland where you will discover Celtic spirituality is in all the stories that nature shares – the wild Atlantic way with its strong winds and surf-worn shores, in the winding rock-walled roads, the green-beyond-green landscapes, and the Irish mist on a “soft” day.

On this Celtic journey, you’ll fill your heart and mind with ancient Celtic wisdom while exploring the beautiful Ireland countryside, the culture and sites of Dublin, the mysterious Isle of Inis Mór, the small coastal towns of Doolin and Dingle, and more. You’ll be on this sacred journey with other Unity of Houston community members, perhaps share experiences over a Guinness, and definitely enjoy some of the best food ever!

WATCH THIS PREVIEW!

In partnership with Spirit Tours, you travel in an open and relaxed state knowing that all the details are taken care of, enjoy daily spiritual practice, and be surrounded by loving, like-minded travelers. As you experience the culture of Ireland, you’ll also be introduced to the magic of this country and its spirituality – where the seen and unseen meet in wondrous magical moments – through the wisdom of the landscape, the blessing and poetry of the ages, and the joyful Presence of the Irish people along the Wild Atlantic Way.

WATCH INFORMATIONAL ZOOM RECORDING HERE

Passcode: g6b=ks5*

Day 1: May 15, 2025
Arrive in Ireland, check-in at the perfectly located, Camden Court Hotel, and have time to rest and enjoy Dublin a little on our own.

Day 2:  May 16, 2025
After breakfast, our morning begins our first group spiritual practice and gathering. Then you have the entire day free to explore Dublin. The “hop on – hop off” bus tour of Dublin is a convenient way to take in the sites of this Capital City. The tour has 23 stops including: The Book of Kells in Trinity College, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, the Guinness Factory, and many other points of interest. Hop on and off wherever you’d like! You can also decide to take a Dublin Bay cruise, visit some galleries, or walk around. We end the day with a Welcome Dinner in the restaurant of our hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 3: May 17, 2025
Our Celtic adventure begins as we traverse Ireland. We have our spiritual practice at the Grange Stone Circle. It is the 2^nd largest in the whole of Ireland and contains the greatest number of upright standing stones anywhere in the British Isles.

Afterwards, we stop at Bunratty Castle (built in 1425 and restored in 1954) to visit the castle and choose your spot for lunch on your own. Our journey continues to the beautiful west coast to Liscannor, a magnificent coastal village situated at the end of Liscannor Bay.

We stay at the Cliffs of Moher Hotel. Enjoy dinner/music in one of the quaint restaurants/pubs in the village that we recommend.

Meal Included: Breakfast

Day 4: May 18, 2025
You’re invited to start your day with a beautiful walk before breakfast. After breakfast, we get priceless time with Nóirín Ní Riain – an internationally acclaimed spiritual singer, theologian, writer, musicologist, and Celtic Spirituality expert.

We’ll receive an introduction to Brigid, the beloved ancient Goddess and Irish Saint, and prepare to immerse ourselves in a blessing at one of Brigid’s wells. The Celts aligned themselves with nature, invoking the primal energy that governed their lives. Through ritual and symbol, they sought to bring balance to their world.

After time with Nóirín, we depart for Brigid’s Well. Brigid is the Lady of Healing Waters; many wells in Ireland are dedicated to Brigid and the waters are believed to be blessed with her healing grace. At Brigid’s well, you’ll get to take part in a special, sacred ritual.

We then head to the magnificent Cliffs of Moher. The Cliffs of Moher are entirely vertical, and the cliff edge is abrupt. On a clear day, the views are tremendous, with the Aran Islands etched on the waters of Galway Bay.
From the cliff edge, you can hear the booming far below as the waves crash and gnaw at the soft shale and sandstone. This is truly a priceless experience!

We’ll travel back towards our hotel and have dinner on our own in one of the restaurants or pubs in the village. You’ll not want to miss the opportunity to enjoy traditional Irish music, a pint of Guinness, and a congenial crowd at one of the cozy pubs for which Doolin is famous.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5: May 19, 2025
Our morning spiritual practice prepares us for the journey from Doolin to Galway and explore the famous walking street in Galway. After shopping and lunch on your own, we go to cross the waters to the island of Inis Mór. During our ferry ride, you may want to consider if there is anything that you would like to symbolically leave behind so that you can be open to the silence and beauty of Inis Mór with its ancient stones and dramatic landscape.

We will have dinner together at the Aran Island Hotel before checking into the exceptionally rated, family-run Kilmurvey Guest House.

Day 6: May 20, 2025
Inis Mór is wild, majestic, and peaceful. You’ve been transported back in time to a place where horse-drawn carriages are a normal form of transport, where most people still speak Irish Gaelic, and where you’ll find miles upon miles of ancient stone walls. This is the perfect setting to cultivate silence and solitude in the soul.

After breakfast, we take a soulful silent walk to visit Dún Aonghasa, a World Heritage site, perched spectacularly on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Dún Aonghasa is a semicircular stone fort over 3000 years old. The beauty of the cliffs offers a totally multi-faceted experience of Ireland’s incredible west coast.

You’ll have free time to have lunch at a nearby café and then perhaps hire a bike or walk to a nearby beach. The Aran Islands are renowned for their wool products, so you may want time to shop. In the afternoon, we gather again and visit some of the other historic sites on the island.

We’ll dine together and afterwards take a magical half-light horse and carriage ride in the evening, along the coast, back to our guesthouse.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 7: May 21, 2025
Our morning begins with group spiritual practice and then time to visit craft shops, walk to the beach, or return to Dún Aonghasa before the ferry take us back to the mainland. Our next destination will be Dingle. From the mainland, we take the ferry back to the mainland. We arrive in Dingle, the heart of West Kerry on the Dingle Peninsula, at the Dingle Benners Hotel which lies in the center of town. Dinner will be on your own at one of our suggested restaurants in town.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8: May 22, 2025
Today is a free day – enjoy the spaciousness, tune inward, take a breath, and reflect in a Celtic way upon this time of traveling on a sacred journey in Ireland. You’ll have time to enjoy this little harbor town or take a walk along the bay to an ancient Tower. In Dingle, there is also an optional boat ride to take in the local wildlife and cliffs. You may also opt to enjoy Inch Beach, a 3-mile-long beach of uninterrupted golden sand. Dingle is arguably one of Ireland’s more charming towns. Eclectic little fashion and jewelry shops on Green Street give way to intimate and cozy pubs. In the evening, there’s another opportunity to take in the traditional Irish music.

Meal Included: Breakfast

Day 9: May 23, 2025
Today, we visit Saint Govenath’s holy well by way the famous Slea Head drive. We’ll take in the gorgeous scenery, stop to let you hold a lamb, and more. We have lunch in a local artist gallery with stunning views. We visit the Gallarus Oratory, the Kilmalkedar Church, and afterwards, we walk the pilgrim’s path to St. Bandon’s house to celebrate the tradition of journeying in the Irish Culture. An important feature of a sacred pilgrimage is walking the path. It is an important part of the experience in Ireland to walk the pilgrim’s path. We return to Dingle where we will have our farewell dinner at Dingle Benner’s Hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 10: May 24, 2025
We rise early today for our transfer to Dublin for our flight home; taking all that we’ve experienced on this sacred journey forever with us.

NOTE: Not ready to return home and want to extend your sacred journey? Join us on the SCOTLAND ADD-ON.

PRICING FOR 10-DAYS and 9-NIGHTS LAND PACKAGE:
Per person Double Occupancy: $4,489
Single Supplement for entire tour is an additional $1,450

PAYMENT SCHEDULE AND CANCELLATION POLICY:
There is a $889 deposit required to reserve your spot.
Payment 1 of $1,200 due by October 1, 2024
Payment 2 of $1,300 due by January 1, 2025
Full balance of total tour is due by March 1, 2025

If cancelled outside of 90 days of tour date – full refund minus $889 nonrefundable deposit
If cancelled between 89 and 61 days – 50% is refundable minus $889 nonrefundable deposit
If cancelled within 60 days – No Refund

Trip Insurance (Cancellation/Interruption/Medical) highly recommended and medical insurance required for all international tours. Assistance with insurance and airfare are available through Spirit Tours.

Note: Each traveler is responsible to adhere to local Pandemic Protocols, ie: wearing masks and social distancing where advised. It is the Traveler’s responsibility to have all the necessary documents, tests, and vaccinations completed prior to departure. Improper required travel documentation is typically not covered by travel insurance. Spirit Tours/Agency/Agent not liable for errors and omissions of approved/paid itinerary and held harmless for unforeseen travel complications as of result of Pandemics and Quarantines. Tour Details are subject to change.