Let the Countdown Begin

Only 20 days, 60 meals, 19 sleeps, and 2 Mondays until we leave for Ireland… but who’s counting?

DAYS 1 & 2 – On the 3rd of June, we leave to explore the lovely Emerald Isle. We will arrive early Monday morning at five o’clock, hopefully with strong coffees in our hands. Energy will be extremely necessary for a day of adventure from the Sugar Loaf Mountains to Glendalough! Any takers who will reenact a scene from “P.S. I Love You,” in Glendalough?

*Thing to know about Glendalough: it is known for its scenery, as well as its historical and archaeological heritage.* We will have the privilege of visiting the Round Tower, as well as walking along the riverbanks, woods, lakes, and waterfalls. Talk about getting our 10,000 steps in for the day! With all that walking, we might need a gallon of water, some new shoes, and a vibrational healer. Healer, Jane Donald, will participate in a meditation at the Crystal Healing Forest right before we peacefully make the drive to Dublin for some Guinness and music!

DAYS 3 & 4 – Dublin! So little time, so much to do. When we arrive in Dublin, we will go to the First House of Mercy, which was built by Catherine McAuley to help those in need. Next up, the National Art Gallery, Guinness Storehouse, National Museum of Ireland, and Trinity College.

After we leave Dublin, we will travel along the Boyne Valley to the Bru na Boinne. Try saying that ten times fast! This will lead us to choose between the New Grange Portal Tomb and the Knowth Megalithic Passage Tomb. They both are 5,000 years old! Next, we will walk around Tara, Meath, where the kings of Ireland and Tuatha de Dannan ruled. The Hills of Tara is a MUST SEE!

DAYS 5 & 6 – If you’ve ever taken the time to watch Stranger Things, and have wondered what it would be like to be in the “Upside Down,” I am sort of picturing a similar situation with Uisneach. A place where the thin veil between the natural and supernatural slips away. Think: magic, unicorns, gods, and goddesses (minus the unicorns).

All this feel good talk is making me eager for the Sound Healing Practitioner, Anne Tyrell, at the Bally Mac Lodge Healing Retreat. We will experience a Sound Bath, followed by a gourmet lunch, and then head to Galway.

First stop in Galway is Mount Croagh Patrick, AKA the “Reek.” The mountain is 764 meters, overlooking Clew Bay in County Mayo. It is the holiest mountain in Ireland! If time allows (fingers crossed), we will then visit ancient monasteries in Cong Abbey.

DAYS 7 & 8 – So long Galway, it is now it’s time for Co. Clare and the Aillwee Caves. An underground river and waterfall can be seen in this 350,000 year old cave. The Birds of Prey, Poulnabrone Dolmen Portal Tomb, and the Burren stone walls are also on the agenda.

I have only heard wonderful things about our next stop: the Cliffs of Moher! After countless photo ops, we will head to the St. Brigit’s Healing Holy Well, and then travel through Limerick to Killarney in Co. Kerry.  I’m very excited to rent and ride a bike around Killarney, or to discover that I can actually hit a golf ball at the golf course!

After a day of fun activities, we have a free day. The options are limitless: Cathedral of Our Lady of Assumption, St. Patrick Marble Wall Mural, Killarney House & Gardens, the local Holy Well, etc.

DAYS 9 & 10 – Surprise adventure! Don’t worry, I will be sure to keep you posted on the surprise. After, we will go to the Sacred Innisfallen Island, which is an enchanted island. We will discover the ancient monasteries, old universities, and perform ceremony work. Somewhere along the way, I hope to catch a leprechaun, but willing to settle for a bowl of Lucky Charms. When the boat returns, we will go to the Ross Castle, take a stroll in the the Killarney National Park, and listen to traditional Irish music.

I am eagerly awaiting the next stop on the trip: Dingle…partly because “Dingle” is fun to say. Here, we will go on Killarney’s World Famous Tour of the Dingle Peninsula. But just imagine… picturesque mountains and unusual antiquities. After, we will stop at the Inch Bech, and then experience the Slea Head drive to view the Blasket Islands. We will also spend time in Dingle Town to meditate by the Atlantic Ocean.

Unfortunately, this post is coming to an end… and so is our trip.

Days 11 & 12 – Muckross Abbey is the place we will connect with the ancient energy of the Abbey and the Sacred Yew Tree. We will do healing work and a Celtic Chakra Spiral Meditation. After, we’ll be “chasin’ waterfalls” (infamous lyrics from 90’s group, TLC) at the Torc Waterfall. Next, we have the first of our stone circles: Kenmare Stone Circle, which is one of the largest stone circles in south west Ireland. And because two is always better than one, we will then go to Co. Limerick for the Grange Lois Stone Circle, which is the largest stone circle in Ireland.

When we are done healing at the high vibrational sites, we will head to Limerick City to the Mary Immaculate College for dinner. Dinner will be so good, that we are going to want to have breakfast there the next morning! After breakfast, we will leave for the airport, cry about how we have to leave this magical place and go back to the real world, hug our new friends goodbye, and bring our new positive energy back home!

Cannot wait! Xx, Kelsey