Ireland: Sinners, Saints, and Scholars

There is no such thing as a saint without a past, nor a sinner without a future. In Ireland, we will encounter how God used a variety of men and women to advance the Gospel, and how the western ideology found its way into a particular brand of scholarship and scholasticism. Along the way, we will meet towering figures, and examine how they faced some limitations of their natural environment and the political and economic challenges of their times. The program will open up a story of God’s work in a people long ago, as well as help you find creative ways to deal with adversity. It will also bring a smile to your face, as you encounter how the Irish have turned history into story, and challenge into laughter. 

Day One. Saturday, June 7, 2025. Departure Day.

Depart USA for Dublin, Ireland. Overnight: In flight.

Day Two. Sunday, June 8, 2025. Arrival Day.

Arrive Dublin Airport in the morning, and enjoy a guided panoramic tour of Dublin City. Take a break this afternoon, and rest. We’ll meet for dinner this evening, and a good night’s rest. Overnight: Dublin (1 of 2). D

Day Three. Monday, June 9, 2025. Uncovering Essential Irish History. Ireland is different than most of Europe. It was never under the Roman Empire. It didn’t develop around urban areas, but was largely a village culture. How did that effect what it became?

After breakfast, we will meet together for two important introductory lectures:

8:00 AM Introducing Ireland and 9:00 AM The Gospel beginnings and Irish Civilization. Departing 10:30 AM, we will visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, constructed near where Patrick first shared the Gospel with people long ago. We’ll also get the opportunity to view one of the original copies of the Magna Carta at Christ Church Cathedral, as well as the Book of Kells at Trinity College, founded in 1592.  Overnight: Dublin (2 of 2). B, D

Questions: What about the Gospel led people to understand personal responsibility? How did that, in turn, lead to personal dignity and challenge regnal conventions of antiquity?

Day Four. Tuesday, June 10, 2025. Monasticism and Asceticism: Today, we explore notions of how various spiritual disciplines like silence and intentional listening played a crucial role in shaping the spiritual nature of the Irish followers of Jesus, and then left its imprint on the culture as a whole.

After breakfast, we start our day with travel to Glendalough in the scenic Wicklow Mountains to visit the monastery founded by the Abbott Kevin in the sixth century. His life, outlined in a later-medieval Latin Vita, was presented as part of the Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae, and includes a mix of legends and history. On to St. Canices’ or Kilkenny Cathedral, where we will look at how the cathedral structure shaped and reflected theological growth and understanding of early Christian thinking. We will marvel at the round tower, and recall the Druid conflict faced by believers long ago. Overnight: Kilkenny (1 of 1). B,D

Questions: Where, how and why was the monastic movement formed? How did it influence the larger narrative of Christian doctrine? How did mythology form around ascetics and what did those stories produce in Christian history?

Day Five. Wednesday, June 11, 2025. Medieval Village Life: The period between 400-1400 CE is known as the “Middle Ages” by historians. Life both in continental Europe and the outlying islands at her edge were organized around some important values that were a combination of local mystic thinking and Christian teaching.

Since about 1260 CE. the Kilkenny Castle stood, erected in the days following the Norman Conquest of Ireland. Richard de Clare, now referred to commonly as Strongbow, likely constructed the first version of housing on this property, and his family developed the estate. Here, we will begin to address life in the later Middle Ages. Next, we travel about an hour to see the impressive cluster of medieval buildings at the Rock of Cashel, with twelfth century imposing structures. The conversion of the King of Munster under the ministry of St. Patrick in the fifth century will be part of our study. One more hour of travel, and we will enter St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral, along with time to explore the vibrant city of Cork, where we will be spending our evening. Overnight: Cork (1 of 1). B,D

Questions: Who was St. Patrick and why did he become so integral to Irish history? How did the Norman invasion impact Irish culture? What role did the castle play in the development of society in Ireland?

Day Six. Thursday, June 12, 2025. Gab and Poetry: The Irish have a variety strong local traditions that gave rise to music, poetry and oration. These were captured by story-tellers and not written until very late. What can the stories tell us about them?

Beginning in Cork, we will set out to visit the famous C14 CE Blarney Castle and gardens to capture our part of the gift of Irish eloquence! After we have been so endowed with the gift, we will travel to the stunning Killarney National Park region, and visit the Muckross House and Gardens. Here, we will learn of the interplay between estate tradition and local farming culture. The nearby C15 CE Franciscan Abbey and the surrounding natural beauty offered inspiration to the Kerry poets of old. Overnight: Killarney (1 of 2). B,D

Questions: What role did the farm community have in Irish castle and estate culture? How did their work affect the telling of story in Irish tradition? Who were the Kerry poets and what treasure did they leave us?

Day Seven. Friday, June 13, 2025. Extremity, Beauty and Endurance (1): Western Ireland has some of the most beautiful and yet challenging landscape found on our planet, and we will explore the area for two days and learn how endurance and survival led to song and celebration.

We will explore the largest peninsula in Ireland at her southwest extremity, the Iveragh Peninsula. We will, like many before us, follow the stunning views along the “Ring of Kerry,” stopping in some historic churches and viewing the landscape from some scenic vistas. The region includes ancient sights, with a variety of stone forts, monasteries, and ruins. Some rock art extended to Neolithic times, while the forts were likely built during the Iron Age, around 500–300 BCE, but still stand absent of any mortar. We will also visit the Skellig Experience Visitor Centre on Valentia Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once an early Christian outpost from around the C6 CE. Overnight: Killarney (2 of 2). B,D

Questions: What do early signs of human occupation tell us about the first occupants of Ireland? What did the austere environment do to help people develop endurance? Why didn’t they leave?

Day Eight. Saturday, June 14, 2024. Extremity, Beauty and Endurance (2): Beside the sea are some of the most beautiful and yet challenging landscapes found on our planet. The sea became an early part of Irish history and tradition. Today, we will seek to understand some of the impact of the sea on Irish history.

The iconic Cliffs of Moher will leave us awestruck by the sheer power of the sea. The cliffs rise up to about 700 feet above the sea, and is one of the one of the country's most important bird-breeding sites (look for puffins!). A bit later, we will make our way to Galway Cathedral and discuss the reliquary in Christian theology before we have some time to explore the city’s vibrant Latin Quarter. Wander the area and grab a bite to eat before we head to our hotel for the evening. Overnight: Galway (1 of 2). B

Questions: Who was Bernadette of Lourdes and why is she remembered in Galway? How did hagiographies develop and how do they help us now? What role did the reliquary have in the development of Catholic thinking and theology? Why did Protestantism largely reject reliquaries?

Day Nine. Sunday, June 15, 2025. The Monastery—A Journey: Since the earliest stages of Christianity after the persecution, monasteries have attempted to capture the heart of Christian values and scholarship, while removing members from the distractions of daily life. With many who are finding it hard to read the news and remain at peace in Christ, how does the monastic experience inform us?

After breakfast at our hotel our coach will take us to the stunning Connemara National Park. We will stop at the famous Kylemore Abbey with her lovely Victorian gardens, once a romantic gift in the 1860s that became home to the Benedictine Nuns in 1920. Overnight: Galway (2 of 2). B,L,D

Questions: What has monasticism contributed to Christian theology and history? How did the Benedictine rule bring order to monasteries? Why would a non-Catholic follower of Jesus care about the history and work of a nunnery?

Day Ten. Monday, June 16, 2025. Return to DUBLIN – back to the beginning: You’ve traveled in a big circle to see many of the most stunning views of this beautiful country as we’ve engaged some topics about the history of the Christian faith, with a particular bend toward the Irish expression of it.

After breakfast at our hotel, our coach and guide lead us on the journey back to Dublin, to check in and have time at leisure in Ireland’s lively capital. A final special dinner awaits! Overnight: Dublin (1 of 1). B, D

Day Eleven. Tuesday, June 17, 2025. Return to the USA.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and a morning at leisure before you coach and guide pick you up in time for your return flight.

 This program is new and in development. Over the coming weeks, you may see adjustments in the schedule in accordance with availability of each particular site. We strive to visit all of the itinerary, but reserve the right to make necessary changes.