Sacred Travel to Ireland with Kathianne Lewis

Center for Spiritual Living Seattle

Sacred Travel to Ireland with Kathianne Lewis
September 8 - 17, 2018 

To sign up for the Ireland trip contact our Registrar, Heidi Dillehunt, at 206.527.8801, x5101 or Heidi@SpiritualLiving.org

Join Kathianne Lewis and CSL Seattle on a pilgrimage through Ireland. Walk the historical streets of Dublin; enjoy the west coast towns of Doolin and Dingle, famous for their music, pubs and scenery. Enjoy the stark beauty of Inis Mor, a magical island off Ireland’s west coast.

PREREQUISITE: Completion of Beyond Limits or Foundations

ITINERARY
September 8-17, 2018

Day 1: Sat Sep 8
We will arrive in Ireland today and after checking into our hotel. We will have time to rest from the flight and enjoy our first afternoon and evening in Dublin on our own. Dublin, capital of the Republic of Ireland, is on Ireland’s east coast at the mouth of River Liffey. Its historic buildings include Dublin Castle, dating to the 13th century, and imposing St Patrick’s Cathedral, founded in 1191. City parks include landscaped St Stephen’s Green and huge Phoenix Park, containing Dublin Zoo. The National Museum of Ireland explores Irish heritage and culture.

Day 2: Sun Sep 9
Our morning will begin with group prayer, reflection and we will set our intention for this pilgrimage. Your entire day is free to explore Dublin. A “hop on hop off” bus tour of Dublin is a convenient way to take in the sites of the Capital City. The tour has 23 stops including The Book of Kells in Trinity College, and many other points of interest along the way. Or you may decide to take a Dublin Bay cruise, visit some galleries, or walk down Grafton Street, which is Irelands world famous shopping area. The Dublin’s Writer’s museum occupies an original 18th  century house is another popular destination. At 7:30pm that Evening, we will have a welcome dinner.

Day 3: Mon Sep 10
The Journey is the Destination

Our Celtic adventure begins today when we traverse Ireland to the beautiful western seaboard coastal and the musical town of Doolin.  Doolin is a coastal village in County Clare, Ireland, on the Atlantic coast. It borders the spa town of Lisdoonvarna. It is a noted centre of traditional Irish music, which is played nightly in its pubs, making it a popular tourist destination.

The Irish landscape is full of memory, as we can allow ourselves to feel the energy of an ancient civilization and sense the poetry of the land. When we arrive in Doolin, we will have our first Celtic gathering with Mary. We will stay at the Hotel Doolin on the west coast of Ireland; the nearby pub and restaurant will have a traditional music session.

Day 4: Tue Sep 11
Intending: The Blessing of the Well

Each morning, after breakfast, our day begins with group prayer and reflection. This morning we will also have an introduction to Brigid, the beloved ancient Goddess, and Irish Saint. In the meeting, we will prepare to immerse ourselves in the practice of taking a blessing at one of Brigid’s wells. The holy wells were initially regarded as an entrance into the womb of the goddess of the earth and she was land on which you walked. So it is believed that you are walking on her body and when you come across a well you are coming across an entrance into her womb. Thus it is a very sacred place and one, which symbolized fertility. That is where the rounds of a well as a tradition began because people started doing the rounds of these sacred places in imitation of the sun going around the earth.

The Celts aligned themselves with Nature, invoking the primal forces that governed their lives. Through ritual and symbol, they sought to bring balance to their world. So too can you!

After lunch, we will depart for Brigid's Well. At Brigid’s well, we’ll have the opportunity to participate in the custom of tying wool on the bushes above the well as a symbol of our intention. Brigid is the Lady of Healing Waters, Wells, and springs; many wells in Ireland are dedicated to Brigid, and the waters are believed to be blessed with her healing grace. The visit to the well is conducted in reflective silence, allowing us to begin to sense the importance of Brigid in the heart and soul of Ireland.

We’ll travel back quietly to Hotel Doolin for dinner on our own in one of the restaurants or pubs in the village. We will also have the opportunity to enjoy Irish music at the pubs for which Doolin is famous.

Day 5: Wed Sep 12
Crossing: The Blessing of the Water

The morning begins with prayer and  meditation to prepare for crossing the water to the island of Inis Mor. Water is a flowing element and, among other things, it can be a symbol of a person’s current emotional state of mind. It can also be a symbol of purity, healing, and cleansing, or a symbol of life and rebirth. At our gathering, we’ll talk about letting the journey from Doolin to Galway and on to Inis Mor be a journey of rebirth. Travelers might want to consider if there is anything they would like to  symbolically leave behind so that they can be open to the silence and beauty of Inis Mor—its ancient stones and dramatic landscape. On the way to our ferry terminal, we will stop in Galway, for lunch and a short time to explore the city.  Afterwards we will  journey to the ferry terminal and cross the waters to the island of Inis Mor.

We will have dinner together at the family-run Kilmurvey Guest House.

Day 6: Thu Sep 13
Reflecting: The Blessings of Silence and Solitude

Inis Mor is wild, majestic, and peaceful. This Gaeilge (Irish) speaking island off the west coast of Ireland is a perfect setting to cultivate silence and solitude in the soul. After breakfast and our brief morning gathering will take the form of a soulful silent walk to visit Dun Aonghasa, a World Heritage site, perched spectacularly on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

We will then have free time to hire a bike, walk to a nearby beach, or have lunch at a nearby café. At 3:00 pm we’ll gather again and then visit a hermit’s hut. These island has always had a spiritual association for people who lived in Ireland. There are ring forts and hermit’s huts are all over Inis Mor, which are evidence that these people regard the islands as having some type of spiritual energy to them. The location of the forts, particularly Aonghasa and the black fort are just amazing energy wise.

We’ll dine together at the Pier House in town and afterward take a two-hour walk in the magical half-light of evening, along the coast back to our guesthouse. (For those who prefer not to walk, transportation back to the guesthouse will be made available.)

Day 7: Fri Sep 14
Moving On

Our morning begins with group prayer and meditation on how the mystery of the island, the solitude has spoken to each of us. There will be time to visit craft shops, walk to the beach, or return to Dún Aonghasa. We will return to the mainland at 11:30am. Our next destination will be Dingle. Crossing the Shannon River by ferry. The name Shannon is attributed to Sionna, the goddess of Irish mythology, whose name means “possessor or wisdom”. We will then head west to Dingle in the heart of West Kerry on the Dingle Peninsula. Home will be Benners Hotel, in the heart of the town.

Dinner will be on your own at one of the suggested restaurants in town.

Day 8: Sat Sep 15
Connecting: The Blessing of Company

After breakfast, we’ll meet briefly for prayer. Pilgrims are invited to connect more deeply with one another by selecting someone to walk with to the nearby ancient tower on the peninsula. We’ll head out from the hotel in pairs with the intention of sharing company in the spectacular surrounding countryside of this little harbor town. 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 such as Ashes and Foxy John’s. The latter is a DIY store with beer taps and, consequently, the only pub in the country where you can sink a pint and satisfy your hardware needs at the same sitting.

The afternoon and evening are free to enjoy Dingle.

Day 9: Sun Sep 16
Traveling: The Blessings on the Path

An important feature of a pilgrimage is walking the path. It is an important part of the experience in Ireland to walk the Pilgrim’s path. Today we walk part of the Saint Brenden’s Path, an ancient pilgrim path below Mt. Brenden, named in his honor. Our bus departs Benners Hotel at 9:30am to the Blasket Island Center meeting room, with beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean. We will have our final gathering here and be blessed with St. Brigid's flame.

The bus will then drop us off at Kilmalkedar, and St. Brandon’s house. We will take a 1-hour pilgrim’s walk towards the sea where the bus will meet us to transport us back to Dingle Town. We will return to Dingle and your afternoon is free to relax or perhaps explore the town some more.

We will have our farewell dinner at Dingle Benner’s Hotel.

Day 10: Mon Sep 17
Completing

We arise early today for our return to Dublin.

Note: Itinerary is subject to change due to reasons beyond our control. Adventures may include moderate intensity walking on uneven surfaces.

PRICING FOR LAND PACKAGE: 
Per person Double Occupancy: $3,940*
Per person Single Occupancy: $5,450**

*Double Occupancy Note: If, 90 days before the trip’s start date, you are the last female/male registrant in a room where the other female/male bed has not been sold, you will be subject to the single supplement price. Travel Tip: Find someone to travel with, book your own room together, and guarantee the double occupancy rate no matter what!

**Singly Occupancy Note: Single occupancy is limited to due capacity at the Guest House on Inis Mor Island and will be booked on a first-come, first-served basis.  

Nonrefundable $500 deposit due to hold your space. Payment in full and payment plan available.

To sign up for the Ireland trip contact our Registrar, Heidi Dillehunt, at 206.527.8801, x5101 or Heidi@SpiritualLiving.org

Included in the land package price:

• 9 Nights Luxury Hotels and Guest House
• Daily Breakfast
• Daily Spiritual Meetings led by Kathianne Lewis, DD
• Airport transfers in Ireland
• Ferry to Inis Mor (Aran Islands)
• Group Tours 
• Shannon River Ferry
• 4 Dinners and 1 Lunch 
• Blasket Island Center
• Pilgrim’s Walk in Ireland

WHAT’S EXCLUDED?

• International airline tickets*
• Travel & health Insurance and other items of a personal nature
• Meals and drinks, laundry, telephone calls, tips, etc, not specified in the proposal
• Airport departure tax, if any

*Air travel can be booked through Spirit Tours for an additional cost. Air booked through Spirit Tours are subject to cancellation penalities. 

To sign up for the Ireland trip contact our Registrar at 206.527.8801, x5101 or Registrar@SpiritualLiving.org

TERMS OF TRAVEL
Seattle Center for Spiritual Living (“CSL”), a recognized 501(c)(3) religious non-profit, is arranging a tour for interested parties to Ireland on September 8-17, 2018. In the past CSL has had an arranged travel tour cancelled due to elevated security risks. In today’s uncertain world it is possible that this trip may be cancelled due to circumstances beyond CSL’s control. CSL therefore asks that you consider and agree to the following before making a deposit for this tour.
1. I am eighteen (18) years of age or older.
2.  I am physically able to complete this travel.
3. I recognize that CSL is NOT a “seller of travel” as defined in RCW 19.138.021(6).
4. I realize that CSL is arranging travel directly through vendors and will pay to the vendors necessary deposits from the funds I pay to CSL. The deposits might not be refundable in case of a cancellation no matter the circumstances.
5. I recognize that circumstances beyond the control of CSL, such as an act of terrorism or the U.S. State Department canceling all American flights to or from Ireland, might require a postponement or cancellation of this trip.
6. I agree to hold CSL harmless if the trip is cancelled for reasons outside CSL’s control. Although I know that CSL will do everything in its power to obtain refunds on my behalf, I will not hold CSL liable for any refunds not received.
7. I understand that if CSL cancels the trip for its own convenience then I will be due a full refund.
8. There is a minimum $500 non-refundable deposit due at registration.
9. By registering I am agreeing to the financial and time deadlines as spelled out above.
10. I agree that CSL shall not be obligated to refund any cancellation penalties imposed by the vendor with whom the services were arranged.