The prehistoric and historic sites of Ireland are among the most spectacular in the world, and the country is rich in folklore, fairytales, myth, and legend. Ireland truly has a magic all its own. We fly into Shannon, Ireland to begin this truly unique journey of inner and outer exploration of ourselves as women. Through connecting with the land, the Great Mother Earth Goddess, visiting ancient sacred sites of stone circles, sacred wells, dolmans and ritual places, we will explore the Landscape of the Heart.

This pilgrimage will take us to Paps of Anu, Ring of Kerry, Newgrange, Lough Gur, Hill of Tara, Kildare, Sligo and other mystical power sites. We will visit the sacred center of Eiru, where the Goddess calls her children home. Here we reconnect with our own Divine Sacred Feminine energy.

If the luck of the Irish is with us we might find our way to the land of the Sidhe (pronounced 'shee'), the "fairy folk". There will be ample time for retail therapy, lots of fun and laughter as we share wonderful local food, traditional Irish music and Irish dance! Keeping an eye out for thatlucky four-leaf clover!

Daily Itinerary

Day 1. Wed. June 27th...depart USA for Ireland.

Day 2. Thurs. June 28th – (L & D) Arrival Shannon airport, board our motorcoach. We stop at The Grange, the largest stone circle in Ireland dedicated to the Sun Goddess Aine. We will stop for a delicious vegan lunch at a local B&B where they grow most of their own food. Arrive at our hotel in Killarney with time to rest before a delicious dinner and a good night’s sleep! NIGHT IN KILLARNEY.

Day 3. Friday June 29: PAPS OF ANU, SHEELA-NA-GIG AND SACRED WELL (B). Morning drive through the lovely Irish countryside to visit the City, nestled beneath the Paps of Anu, known to be one of the four fabled cities of the Tuatha De Danann, the Gods and Goddess’es of the land. The Paps are known as one of the 7 sacred mountains in the world. Then on to Ballyvourney to visit one of the oldest sacred wells in Ireland and to see a Sheela-na-gig, an ancient symbol of woman's freedom and creativity. These ancient Goddess figures are abundant in Ireland; there are over 70 known 'Sheela' images. These pagan images were incorporated by many early Irish churches as a way of "accommodating" what could not be eliminated, and appear on church & monastic ruins. We will have time here to explore and connect with this ancient feminine energy and drink from the sacred well, visited for centuries as a place of Pilgrimage. NIGHT IN KILLARNEY.

Day 4. Sat. June 30: RING OF KERRY (B & D) Full day Ring of Kerry. National Geographic has described the ring of Kerry area as one of the most beautiful areas in the world with it’s romantic glens, towering peaks and constantly changing color! Tomas O’Sullivan, a well-known traditional musician will join us for the day. Tomas plays a variety of instruments including the Illium Pipes (Irish bagpipes) and will enhance our experience at the sites with his beautiful music. We begin at a local Castle and then onto the Ring-Fort of MacCree. Relaxing lunch at Smugglers Inn located on the seafront, wonderful fish! Outside of Waterville we will be led into the Great Stone Circle of Eightaue by the local guardian, Eileen McGuire for ceremony. We travel on to the picturesque town of Sneem to another face of the Goddess and back to Killarney via a Fairy Glen. NIGHT IN KILLARNEY.

Day 5 Sunday July 1: KILLARNEY (B) In the morning we visit the Kerry Weavers where we'll see traditional weaving techniques. Here we'll be able to purchase beautiful scarves and throws at a fraction of retail cost! Joe O'Sullivan, local guide and Celtic Shaman will take us on a forest walk and introduce us to the Tree World and the land of the Faery Folk. Late afternoon free for shopping, rest, meditation.

Day 6 Monday July 2: KILLARNEY / MEATH (B,D) Early start to County Kildare to visit the Bridine Sisters, Mary and Phil, who still keep the fire to the Celtic Goddess Brigit alive. They serve as the bridge between the Goddess and the Saint Brigit. Late afternoon travel to the royal County of Meath. Dinner at hotel.

Day 7 Tuesday July 3: MEATH, BRU NA BOINNE VALLEY INCLUDES NEWGRANGE & KNOWTH (B) Full day excursion to Meath, located 30 miles from Dublin and home to one of the worlds most famous archeological valleys “Bru Na Boinne”. Here we visit the spectacular world-famous Neolithic tomb of Newgrange with its kerb stones and megalithic art, the most famous of all Irish prehistoric monuments and the oldest engineered building in the world, older than the great pyramids of Egypt. This is the Home of the Dagda, the Ancient Ones who brought the Goddess tradition to the Irish shores. At the base of the mound there are 97 large stones lying on their sides. They are beautifully carved with Irish spirals, zigzags, and other symbols. The most famous is the triple spiral design on the large stone at the entrance. On December 21, Winter Solstice, the sun shines directly into the opening, down the long shaft and into the inner chamber, lighting it for about 20 minutes. Lunch on your own at the visitors center. Afternoon visit to the cairns of Knowth with their impressive circular chambers. Early evening back at our hotel with time to walk around Naven Town and choose where to dine.

Day 8 Wed. July 4: MEATH / WESTMEATH / SLIGO (B & D) Today we visit Tara, the royal seat of the Kings of Ireland and the ancient setting of the Bealtaine Ceremony which denotes the King lying with the Goddess Maeve for the good of the land. We'll explore the remains of an early settlement and a Faery grove of trees. Lunch and time to visit the local shops in Tara. Afternoon take us onto Sligo which holds 65% of all of Irelands megalithic sites! Arrive our hotel in Sligo.

Day 9 Thursday July 5: SLIGO / CARROWMORE (B) The most extensive megalithic complex in Ireland and one of the largest concentrations of early megalithic sites in Europe. You will see a mixture of small passage-tombs and dolmens, as well as what appear to be stone circles. We will visit the Triple Stone Circles of the Maiden, Mother and Crone, we will have our closing ceremony in the glen to honor the powerful Goddess energy within each of us. Lunch on your own. This evening you may choose to luxuriate and relax in a seaweed bath. (extra cost) The seaweed is gathered daily and put in hot water to bring out the essential oils which detoxifies the body leaving it feeling smooth and youthful. Seaweed has been used for centuries for healing, rich in iodine, it helps replenish your vitamins and minerals. You may have a private room, towels provided or couples may share a room. Treat yourself to this rejuvenating, relaxing experience, fit for any Goddess! Afterward, time to stroll the beach and dine at one of the local Pubs or the pizza shop. Overnight Sligo.

Day 10 Friday July 6: SLIGO / BUNRATTY (B & D) We travel to Ennis, stopping enroute in Galway town for lunch and some last minute retail therapy We arrive at Bunratty Village with time to rest before our evening Medieval Banquet Dinner and traditional Irish entertainment at Bunratty Castle. Overnight Bunratty Castle Hotel

Day 11 Saturday July 7: (B) Today we say farewell to Mystical Ireland. We leave with magical memories and the close bond that we now share with our new “Sisterhood” of amazing women friends! Transfer to Shannon Airport. Welcome Home!

Note: as we visit various stone circles and sacred sites, Amantha will offer meditations and ceremonies to help us connect with the essence and energy of these ancient places.

Amantha Murphy – Our local Celtic and shamanic guide: Amantha works with both individuals and groups, at home and internationally. Amantha lives in Kerry, Ireland with her two younger children. Amantha's work focuses primarily in connecting with the Land, Rites of Passage, Ancient Goddess Pilgrimages and Shamanic Healing. Amantha spent summers in Kerry with her grandmother who was a midwife and healer. From an early age, her grandmother helped Amantha to open to the essence of the Great Mother Goddess, the Land and Her own Inner Nature.

TRIP ORGANIZER: Gayle Lawrence & Journeys of Discovery, offers 1st class travel to powerful, unique places. Gayle is a registered Dental Hygienist University of Michigan graduate, business owner-entrepreneur, avid traveler, nature lover and continual student of personal and spiritual growth. Following my heart, my desire is to open doors for other women to explore the world while discovering deeper parts of themselves. Satisfy a longing for something more, heal your spirit, live your dreams. Create new and lasting friendships with other dynamic women