St. Stephen Ireland – October 2025

Pilgrimage to Ireland

Trip Date:
Oct 11, 2025
- Oct 20, 2025
Group Type
Open
Activity Level
Moderate
Price
From $5,412
Deposit $500
Hosted by
St. Stephen Catholic Community

Trip Overview

Join Verso Ministries and St. Stephen Catholic Community on a journey of faith, history, and culture through Ireland. From Dublin to Knock, Galway to the Aran Islands, Kilkenny to Glendalough, you’ll marvel at medieval churches and breathtaking natural beauty. Discover the lives of Irish saints such as Patrick and Brigid and be inspired by the ways God has been, and continues to be, at work across the Emerald Isle. With daily Mass and time to pray, contemplate, and explore, this handcrafted pilgrimage offers an authentic encounter with the faith and charm of Ireland.

What’s Included?

  • Verso Pilgrimage Director (groups of 30+ pilgrims get dedicated director)
  • Licensed, local tour guide(s)
  • Custom booklet for each pilgrim
  • Catholic Chaplain
  • Daily Mass
  • Private transportation on motor coach
  • All tickets for included activities listed on itinerary
  • Standard accommodations in double-occupancy rooms
  • Breakfast daily at hotel, 1 lunches, 4 dinners
  • Audio headsets
  • Round-trip airfare from Nashville
  • Airport/hotel transfers

Itinerary

October 11, 2025
  • Depart the U.S. on your overnight flight to Dublin
October 12, 2025
  • Arrive in Dublin and transfer to your hotel
  • Take a walking tour of downtown Dublin, highlights including the cathedrals of Christchurch and St. Patrick; the Victorian garden square of St Stephen’s Green, and Grafton Street with its live music and shops
  • Welcome Mass in a local church
  • Welcome Dinner in a local restaurant
  • Check-in to hotel
  • Overnight in Dublin

Accommodations: Trinity City Hotel

Meals included: Dinner

October 13, 2025
  • Visit Trinity College Dublin, Ireland’s oldest university with connections to Oxford and Cambridge, and see the Book of Kells
  • Mass in Dublin (potentially in the College’s Trinity Chapel)
  • Tour and tasting at Jameson Distillery on Bow Street
  • Free for the rest of the day to explore the city
  • Overnight in Dublin

Accommodations: Trinity City Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast

October 14, 2025
  • Drive from Dublin to Knock
  • Upon arriving at Knock, explore the Knock Shrine, Ireland’s International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine, and its five churches and gardens on a guided tour
  • Celebrate Mass, followed by time for personal prayer, lunch, and exploration
  • Transfer from Knock to Galway, enjoying dinner at the hotel upon arrival
  • Overnight in Galway

Accommodations: Park House Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

October 15, 2025
  • Morning visit to Cliffs of Moher. Enjoy views of the Atlantic and the Aran Islands as you walk along Ireland’s most famous cliffs on the coast of County Clare. Notable stops along the Cliffs include the main viewing area of Hag’s Head and O’Brien’s Tower, built in 1835
  • Drive back to Galway for lunch on your own
  • Mass in Galway
  • Enjoy a free evening in Galway. Head to Quay Street in the heart of the city and explore Galway’s food scene and pub culture. Stop at the sixteenth-century Spanish Arch on the Long Walk along the River Corrib, or escape for a seaside stroll on Salthill Promenade.
  • Overnight in Galway

Accommodations: Park House Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast

October 16, 2025
  • Ferry from Rossaveel to the island of Inis Mor. Visit the medieval ruins of the Seven Churches
  • Enjoy a group lunch at a local pub
  • Mass in the Church of St Brigid and St Oliver Plunkett at the end of the excursion
  • Return for a free evening in Galway and dinner on your own
  • Overnight in Galway

Accommodations: Park House Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

October 17, 2025
  • Drive from Galway to the Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary. Located in the Golden Vale, here you can find Cormac’s Chapel with its Romanesque frescoes, a Gothic cathedral, fifteenth-century Tower House, and an abbey. The original seat of the kings of Munster, this is where St Patrick is believed to have tried to convert the king to Christianity in the fifth century
  • Mass upon arrival at St John the Baptist Church (or other)
  • Free for lunch on your own
  • Continue on to Kilkenny, check-in to the hotel
  • Dinner at a local restaurant
  • Overnight in Kilkenny

Accommodations: Kilkenny River Court Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

October 18, 2025
  • Mass in Kilkenny
  • Explore the medieval town’s castle, cathedrals, and abbeys as well as its craft and design workshops through a walking tour. Highlights include the sixth-century St Canice’s Cathedral and Round Tower, Kilkenny Castle, and the Kilkenny Design Workshops
  • Free time for lunch
  • Visit Kilkenny Castle
  • Free time for shopping at the Kilkenny Design Center, and dinner on your own
  • Overnight in Kilkenny

Accommodations: Kilkenny River Court Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast

October 19, 2025
  • Drive from Kilkenny to Glendalough. Located in a glacial valley in the Wicklow Mountains National Park, follow in the footsteps of St. Kevin and visit the early medieval monastic settlement which he founded, the Round Tower, the ancient ruins of St. Kevin’s Church and the tomb of St. Kevin
  • Mass in Glendalough, followed by lunch on your own
  • Return to Dublin and check-in to hotel
  • Farewell Dinner and Show (including 1 drink/person) – The Merry Ploughboy
    • Widely regarded as the best traditional music show in Dublin. A highly entertaining performance of live traditional Irish music, song, and Irish dancing. The very best of fresh Irish food is served and offers a choice menu.
  • Overnight in Dublin

Accommodations: Clayton Hotel Leopardstown

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

October 20, 2025
  • Transfer to the airport and depart from Dublin on your journey home

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodations

Standard Accommodations

  • Dublin: Trinity City Hotel
  • Galway: Park House Hotel
  • Kilkenny: Kilkenny River Court Hotel
  • Dublin: Clayton Hotel Leopardstown

Pricing

Package Cost
$5,412

Trip Savings

Early Bird Savings - Register before April 14, 2025!
Save $300/person
Land-Only Savings - No Group Flight Included
Save $980/person

Optional Add-ons

Single Room Supplement (limited availability)
$1,559/person
Gratuities
TBD
Travel Protection
Quote provided after registration*

Pricing listed per person in double-occupancy rooms and includes airfare.

Land-only packages are available.

The number of available single-occupancy rooms is limited.

*Travel protection price is calculated based on a variety of factors and optional plans are provided by Travel Insured International.

Rates assume a minimum of 30 full-paying pilgrims.

Led by

Group Leader
Chip Harris
Chip Harris has been an active member of St. Stephen Catholic Community for 27 years.  He came to us from his family home in Delaware via Baltimore, Maryland. At St. Stephen, he is an active Knight and former Grand Knight for the Knights of Columbus and a coordinator of the Thursday Lunch Program, in partnership with Catholic Charities.  He is a Lector and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and maintains the standard stock items for the church kitchen. He retired in 2018 with 42 years in public education, where he specialized in Career and Technical (formerly Vocational) Education. In his last 15 years in education, he served as a University Center Director and Professor for the Tennessee Center for Career and Technical Education, where he prepared skilled crafts people to become high school instructors of their craft.  Since retirement he has also kept busy with a consulting business. Currently, he has national consulting responsibilities in Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Arizona, and Delaware in CTE. In addition, he is a national trainer for Lions Quest, a PreK-12 Social and Emotional Learning curriculum owned by the Lions Club.
Chaplain
Fr. Patrick Fitzsimons
I was born in Ireland the youngest of a family of six with five sisters. My parents were Nora and Patrick Fitzsimons, we lived on a small farm in Summerhill, County Meath twenty-three miles west of Dublin. I received all my Sacraments in our Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes except for my ordination. I attended St Mary’s Primary School in Summerhill, completed my Secondary Education at St Michael’s, Christian Brother’s School in Trim County Meath. My Catholic faith played an especially vital role in my life which led me to the Priesthood. I studied Philosophy at Jesuits Institute in Dublin; I have a master’s in theology from Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. I completed a Master of Divinity at the University of St Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Illinois. I was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Lexington Kentucky on May 19th , 2001, where ministered as associate pastor in two parishes and pastor in two parishes. During this time served as a member of Presbyteral Council and on the Personal Board. I chaired the Perpetual Adoration Committee which worked to begin a Perpetual Adoration at the Cathedral of Christ the King which was dedicated by the Most Reverand Bishop Ronald Gainer our Bishop on the 22nd of June 2003. In 2010 I was appointed Contract Catholic Chaplain at the VA Hospital in Lexington which began the next chapter of my priesthood, I went into full time Chaplaincy work in 2014, which for last six years have being spent at VA Hospital in Nashville until I retired on June 30 th , 2024. I am grateful to Most Reverend Mark Spalding for accepting me as an Extern Priest in Nashville and appointing me Associate Pastor to St Saint Stephen’s Catholic Community.

Flights

There is an optional group flight available for this pilgrimage. Details are below. Pilgrims may also arrange their own airfare based on the designated arrival/departure times provided.

  • Arrive by: October 12, 2025
  • Arrival time: Arrive by 9:45 A.M.
  • Arrival airport: Dublin International Airport (DUB)
  • Arrival transfer: Pilgrims will be transferred from the airport in one group.
  • Depart on: October 20, 2025
  • Departure time: Depart at or after 8:00 A.M.
  • Departure airport: Dublin International Airport (DUB)
  • Departure transfer: Pilgrims will be transferred to the airport in one transfer prior to the group flight.

Arrival Flight - October 11, 2025

  • American Airlines Flight AA1396
    • Departing Nashville (BNA) at 1:40 P.M.
    • Arriving Dallas (DFW) at 3:55 P.M.
  • American Airlines Flight AA132
    • Departing Dallas (DFW) at 7:05 P.M.
    • Arriving Dublin (DUB) at 9:45 A.M. (next day, October 12)

Departure Flight - October 20, 2025

  • American Airlines Flight AA133
    • Departing Dublin (DUB) at 12:40 P.M.
    • Arriving Dallas (DFW) at 4:20 P.M.
  • American Airlines Flight AA1076
    • Departing Dallas (DFW) at 6:30 P.M.
    • Arriving Nashville (BNA) at 8:21 P.M.

More Details

  • Gratuities for pilgrimage director, guide(s), driver(s), hotel staff, and meals (optional add-on)
  • Round-trip airfare (if group flight package is not selected)
  • Passport, visa, or luggage fees
  • Any personal purchases
  • Any meals not indicated on itinerary, as well as beverages at meals
  • Any required COVID tests or vaccinations
  • Recommended travel protection with Cancel for Any Reason coverage
  • Anything else not explicitly mentioned as included

Payment Schedule

  • Deposit due upon registration – $500/person
  • Final balance due 120 days prior to departure – Final balance

Final package price is estimated. Pricing is based on currency exchange rates as of January 2025. Any drastic fluctuations in currency exchange rates may impact final pricing. If you have any questions about pricing and when final pricing decisions will be communicated, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time.

 

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be submitted to Verso Ministries in written form and received via email or mail. Any refunds, as applicable, will be processed based on the date stamp of email or mail received. Cancellation fees are for individual pilgrims and fees will be charged per person per booking.

Cancellations are possible at any time, but refunds are subject to cancellation fees at the rates listed here.

  • Within 2 weeks of deposit: Free Cancellation*
  • 91 days or more from departure: Deposit is retained
  • 90-61 days prior to departure: 25% of trip cost is non-refundable
  • 60-31 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost is non-refundable
  • 30 days or less prior to departure: 100% of trip cost is non-refundable

*To qualify for free cancellation within 2 weeks of deposit, deposit must be made 180 days or more prior to departure.

Any cancellation charges incurred from other suppliers or vendors (flight, lodging, ground transportation, tickets, etc.) may come in addition to the administrative fees listed here. All group flight airline tickets, optional excursions, trip options, pre/post extensions, private transfers, and additional hotel nights are non-refundable 100 days or less prior to departure unless otherwise noted.

Want help arranging your flights?

 

Want to arrive or depart outside of the designated times?

  • Please note: If you arrive/depart outside of the designated times, private transfers (fee applies) can be arranged on your behalf. Airport transfers outside of the designated arrival/departure times are not included in the package pricing.
  • Need to book a private transfer? Contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at (574) 383-9396.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I purchase travel protection?

We recommend that all pilgrims consider purchasing travel protection. We partner with Travel Insured International (TII) to offer travel protection.  According to TII, travel protection helps protect you and those you are traveling with from unforeseen emergencies, which always seem to happen at the worst possible time. In the event of emergencies, both before and during your travels, as well other circumstances, like travel delay, lost baggage, missed connection(s), and much more, travel protection can help. Upon registration you will receive a travel protection quotation from TII. If you have any questions regarding your quotation, please call TII. If you need an updated or new quotation, please contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at 574-383-9396.
Read More

What is the latest I can register?

Registration closes when the pilgrimage reaches the maximum number of pilgrims. If the pilgrimage is filled when you register, you will be added to our waiting list, and contacted in the event that space on the pilgrimage becomes available. Don’t miss your chance – register now and begin your journey!
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Why should I travel with Verso Ministries?

At Verso, we believe in crafting pilgrimages that offer you a view of God’s world and his work in it that you can’t get anywhere else.    We believe that everything – from the holy sites, to the meals, to daily Mass, to your fellow pilgrims – shape the ways God can speak to you, which means we’re intentional about it all.  We believe a pilgrimage isn’t just the days you travel, but it’s how you prepare – from the moment you sign up, to the days and weeks after you arrive home. We shepherd you through the entire process so you can achieve the most transformative experience possible.  We’re not just travel experts; we’re experts in Catholic pilgrimage.
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What risks are involved with pilgrimage?

As with any travel, particularly international, it is important to be aware of your surroundings. We monitor travel conditions for the countries our groups visit, and our on-location partners keep us informed of potentially disruptive events, situations, and conditions that might affect travel. If travel to the country is not recommended by the U.S. and/or local authorities, we handle the particulars on a case-by-case basis and update our pilgrims accordingly. To mitigate risk, we encourage all of our pilgrims to purchase travel protection to minimize losses from unforeseen causes, such as travel delays or cancellations and lost baggage.
Read More

Resources

This will be a list of blog articles from their site that the user can view for more information on the location or the trip. We’ll probably need a about 3-5 items listed here

Two children playing piggyback.

The Pilgrim as the One who Plays

In Via: Tourists turned Pilgrims with Liz Lev

The Life and Legacy of St. Patrick

What Our Pilgrims Have to Say

Father Kuhn

Jocelyn

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