Friday, October 9: Depart Memphis

Saturday, October 10: Arrive Dublin, check into hotel. Free time to rest and explore the city.

Sunday, October 11

• Morning worship at Christ Church Cathedral
• Evensong at St Patrick’s Cathedral
  Christ Church Cathedral is one of Dublin’s most historically significant buildings and a symbol of the city’s medieval origins. Founded around 1030 by the Norse king Sitric Silkenbeard and later rebuilt by the Anglo-Normans, it reflects the layers of Viking, Norman, and English influence on Dublin.

  It served for centuries as the spiritual and administrative heart of the city, closely tied to Dublin Castle and civic life. Today, as one of the two Anglican cathedrals of Dublin, Christ Church remains a major landmark of worship, heritage, and architecture.

  St Patrick’s Cathedral is the largest cathedral in Ireland. Founded in 1191 near a well associated with St Patrick, it symbolizes the early Christian roots of Ireland and the spread of Christianity linked to the national patron saint.

  Like Christ Church Cathedral, it became part of the Church of Ireland after the Reformation and today serves as the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland. St Patrick’s is closely connected with Irish history and literature—most famously through Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver’s Travels, who was dean of the cathedral and is buried there.

Monday, October 12: Old Mellifont Abbey, Monasterboice, New Grange (Bru na Boine), and Hill of Slane

• Old Mellifont Abbey in County Louth was founded in 1142 as Ireland’s first Cistercian monastery, marking a major reform in Irish monastic life. Set beside the River Mattock, the remains such as the lavabo and chapter house reflect its former importance.
• Monasterboice is an early Christian monastic site best known for its remarkable 10th-century high crosses, especially the richly carved Muiredach’s Cross. The site also includes around tower and early church ruins, illustrating the strength of Irish Christianity before the Norman period.
• Newgrange, part of the Brú na Bóinne complex, is a prehistoric passage tomb built around 3200 BC, older than Stonehenge and the pyramids. Famous for its winter solstice alignment, it reflects advanced Neolithic engineering and deep spiritual significance long before Christianity arrived in Ireland.
• The Hill of Slane overlooks the Boyne Valley and is traditionally associated with St. Patrick, who is said to have lit the Paschal fire there in defiance of the pagan High King. The site later became an important Christian center, symbolizing the transition from pagan to Christian Ireland.

Tuesday, October 13: Trinity College, The Book of Kells, Old Library, National Gallery of Ireland

• The Book of Kells is a richly decorated medieval manuscript created around 800 AD, celebrated for its intricate Celtic art and illuminated Gospel texts. It is housed at Trinity College, Dublin’s oldest university, founded in 1592 and renowned for its historic campus. Together, the Book of Kells exhibition and Trinity’s Long Room library are important features of Irish heritage.
• The National Gallery of Ireland houses a major collection of European and Irish art spanning the Middle Ages to the modern era. Among its most important Christian works is Caravaggio’s The Taking of Christ , a powerful Baroque depiction of Christ’s arrest. The gallery also holds significant religious paintings such as Rembrandt’s Rest on the Flight into Egypt, Zurbarán’s Saint Francis in Meditation , and works by Murillo and Perugino, reflecting centuries of Christian devotion, theology, and artistic expression.

Wednesday, October 14: Kildare and the legacy of St. Brigid

• Kildare is noted for its ancient settlements and early Christian heritage. Its identity is tied to St. Brigid, who founded a monastery in the 5th century that became a center of learning, spirituality, and craftsmanship. Her legacy endures in the town’s cathedral, sacred wells.

Thursday, October 15: Free Day in Dublin

Friday, October 16: Avoca Wollen Mill, Glendalough

• Glendalough, a scenic glacial valley in County Wicklow, is famous for its two lakes, steep wooded slopes, and dramatic mountain scenery. It’s best known for its early medieval monastic site founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century, featuring a well-preserved round tower and stone churches. Today, it’s a popular spot for hiking, history, and quiet natural beauty.
• Avoca is a picturesque village in County Wicklow, often called the “Garden of Ireland,” set where the Avonmore and Avonbeg rivers meet to form the River Avoca. It is famous for its long association with Avoca Handweavers, one of Ireland’s oldest weaving mills, which reflects the area’s tradition of craftsmanship. Surrounded by wooded valleys, rolling hills, and old mining sites, Avoca has inspired artists and poets and remains known for its peaceful scenery and strong sense of local heritage.

Saturday, October 17: Kilkenny and Jerpoint Abbey

• Kilkenny is one of Ireland’s best-preserved medieval cities and a historic center of Norman power. Dominated by Kilkenny Castle, it served as an important political, commercial, and religious hub, particularly during the Middle Ages, and later played a key role in Irish Catholic history as the seat of the 17th-century Confederate government.
• Jerpoint Abbey, located just outside Kilkenny, is a 12th-century Cistercian monastery renowned for its beautifully carved cloister arcades, which feature expressive human figures, biblical scenes, and everyday medieval life. Together, Kilkenny and Jerpoint Abbey reflect the depth of Ireland’s medieval heritage, blending Norman influence, monastic reform, and enduring religious tradition.

Sunday, October 18: TBA

Monday, October 19: Return to Memphis