The Life of Saint Patrick

A Pilgrimage to Ireland

July 21 - 29, 2024
Register

About

Join St. Vincent Archabbey on a Catholic pilgrimage to experience the life of St. Patrick. From the sacred sites in Downpatrick and Armagh to the beauty of Lough Derg and the incredible Cliffs of Moher, each day promises a meaningful encounter with Irish culture and Catholic heritage. Deepen your spirituality through the experiences in the heart of Ireland.

To register for this pilgrimage, please either visit the Archabbey Retreat Website at saintvincentretreats.org OR send the Retreat Office an email at SVARetreats@gmail.com.

Trip Details

Group Type

Open to All

Activity Level

Moderate

Length

9 days, 8 nights

Accommodations

Simple

Cost

As low as

$4,200

Deposit:

$1,000

What's Included

Verso Pilgrimage Director (groups of 30+ pilgrims get dedicated director)
Local, licensed tour guide(s)
Custom booklet for each pilgrim
Catholic Chaplain
Daily Mass
Private transportation on motor coach
All tickets and donations for included activities listed on itinerary
Simple accommodations
Breakfast daily, 1 lunch and 3 dinners
Gratuities for guide(s) and driver(s)
Audio headsets

Itinerary

July 21
Depart U.S.
  • Depart U.S. for Dublin  (flights not included in the package)
July 22
Dublin
  • Arrive in Dublin, transfer to hotel
  • Pilgrims should plan to arrive no later than noon to Dublin
  • The pilgrimage will officially begin at 3 p.m. in the hotel lobby
  • Welcome Mass in a local church and dinner in a local restaurant or pub
  • Overnight in Dublin
  • Accommodations: Academy Plaza Hotel or similar
  • Meals Included: Dinner
July 23
Venice, Slane, Downpatrick, Belfast
  • Visit to the Hill of Slane, site of a former friary
  • Continue to Downpatrick to visit the Down Cathedral with Mass, prayer at the grave of St. Patrick, as well as a tour of St. Patrick’s Centre
  • Overnight in Belfast
  • Accommodations: Holiday Inn Express or similar
  • Meals Included: Breakfast
July 24
Downpatrick, Armagh, Dongeal
  • Start at Armagh and explore two cathedrals named in honor of St. Patrick – the Church of Ireland cathedral and the Roman Catholic cathedral
  • Overnight in Donegal
  • Accommodations: Station House Hotel or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast
July 25
Lough Derg
  • Day pilgrimage to Lough Derg, the Sanctuary of St. Patrick and pilgrimage site since the 5th Century
  • Overnight in Donegal
  • Accommodations: Station House Hotel or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast
July 26
Dongeal, Knock, County Mayo
  • Depart Donegal for County Mayo, en-route stop at the Knock Shrine to celebrate Mass at the site of the apparition of Mary in 1879
  • Overnight in County Mayo
  • Accommodations: Glasshouse Hotel or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast
July 27
County Mayo, Croagh Patrick, Galway
  • Climb Croagh Patrick (approx. 4 hours hike)
  • Enjoy a packed lunch, then head to Kylemore Abbey, a Benedictine monastery nestled in the beauty of Connemara
  • Transfer to Galway
  • Overnight in Galway
  • Accommodations: Lady Gregory Hotel or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
July 28
Galway, Cliffs of Moher, Dublin
  • Celebrate Mass in a local church, then drive through the Burren to the Cliffs of Moher
  • Enjoy a visit along the Cliffs
  • Transfer back to Dublin
  • Farewell dinner in a local restaurant or pub
  • Overnight in Dublin
  • Accommodations: Academy Plaza Hotel or similar
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
July 29
Dublin
  • Depart Dublin (flights not included in package)
  • Meals Included: Breakfast
Register

Led by

Chaplain
Fr. Phil Kanfush, O.S.B.

Father Philip Kanfush, O.S.B., is a professor in the Education Department at Saint Vincent College, procurator of Saint Vincent Archabbey, and award-winning author for his book Renewed Each Morning: Reflections from the Rocking Chair. The book won an honorable mention book award from the Catholic Press Association in 2006 for first-time author of a book, and a contributing author to the Saint Vincent Basilica: One Hundred Years, which won a second place CPA Award the same year. He is also the founder of the Bearcat B.E.S.T. transition program at Saint Vincent, a program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who can achieve, with appropriate transition programming, a greater level of independence than a sheltered workshop would provide them.

Pricing

As low as

$4,200

Package Cost

Optional Add-ons

Travel protection
Quote available upon registration*
Single room supplement (limited availability)
$665/person

Pricing listed per person in double-occupancy rooms and does not include airfare.
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 23 full-paying pilgrims.

  • Roundtrip airfare
  • Passport, visa, or luggage fees
  • Gratuities for pilgrimage director, hotels, and meals
  • Any personal purchases
  • Any required COVID tests or vaccinations
  • Meals while traveling
  • Drinks at meals, other than wine at dinners
  • Recommended travel protection (optional add-on)
  • Anything else not explicitly mentioned as included

Designated arrival and departures times

  • Arrival information
    • Arrive by: July 22, 2024
    • Arrival time: By 12noon
    • Arrival airport: Dublin Airport (DUB)
    • Arrival transfer:  Pilgrims will be transferred in one group from the Dublin Airport to the hotel.
  • Departure information
    • Depart on: July 29, 2024
    • Departure time: Depart at or after 11am
    • Departure airport: Dublin Aiport
    • Departure transfer: Pilgrims will be transferred in one group from the hotel to Dublin Airport.

 

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.
  • Private transfer information and pricing can be found in the Additional Information section below.
  • Need to book a private transfer? Contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at (574) 383-9396.

 

Want help arranging your flights?

Standard Accommodations

  • Dublin: Academy Plaza Hotel or similar
  • Belfast: Holiday Inn Express or similar
  • Donegal: Station House Hotel or similar
  • Westport: Glasshouse Hotel or similar
  • Galway: Lady Gregory Hotel or similar

 

Need to get around? Private transfers

  • Please note: If you arrive/depart outside of the designated times at the Rome airport, 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? Contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at (574) 383-9396.

 

Arriving early or staying late? Pre-stay and post-stay options

There is no extension planned as part of this pilgrimage.

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 October 2023. 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.

Register

FAQ

The sooner you register for the pilgrimage, the better! Not only does registering early guarantee you a spot on the pilgrimage before the departure fills up, but if you register before 11:59 p.m. on November 30th, 2023, you will receive the early bird discount. Also, there is no risk for 14-days after you register should you then have to cancel (must register 180 days or more prior to departure). So let’s say you register for a pilgrimage, but then realize you can no longer attend, as long as you cancel your pilgrimage within 14-days of registering and registered more than 180s days prior to the departure, then we will fully refund your deposit no questions asked. Just send us a written confirmation of your cancellation and we will take care of the rest. Plus, the sooner you register the sooner your journey begins. Register today!

There is no risk! Your deposit will be fully refunded as long as you cancel within 14-days of registering and you have registered more than 180 days or more prior to departure. With no risk, why wait? Get registered today!

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.

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. We are happy to help!

Including optional add-ons with your pilgrimage can really add to your experience whether it is one of the optional extension or arranging an extra night stay beforehand so you are rested when the pilgrimage begins. If you would to add on any optional arrangements, as listed above, please email us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at 574-383-9396.

A pilgrimage, at its simplest, is a trip of faith. Which means a pilgrimage can be anything from a walk around your city to an encounter of Jesus in the Holy Land. For Catholics, it’s a trip of faith that people have been taking for hundreds or even thousands of years, many times in the same exact places you can visit today. It’s an opportunity to experience the spots God has made his presence known most in time and space, whether that’s where Jesus walked, where Mary appeared, or where the saints have lived and worked.

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 everything from the holy sites, to the meals, to daily Mass, to your fellow pilgrims are ways God can speak to you, which means we’re intentional about it all. We also believe a pilgrimage isn’t just the days you travel, it’s how you prepare from the moment you sign up, to the days and weeks after you arrive home. Which means it’s our intention to shepherd you through the entire process — before, during, and after — so you can have the best, most transformative experience possible. We’re not just travel experts, we’re experts in Catholic pilgrimage.

We know from experience that preparing for a journey is just as important as the journey itself. Our goal is to make sure you’re physically, logistically, and spiritually ready for your pilgrimage. You’ll receive essential emails that will walk you through the process and give you ways to prepare your mind and heart for what you’ll encounter. A pre-trip webinar will make sure you are in touch with the Verso leader of the trip, can get trip-specific info, and can ask questions. We’ll send you a pilgrim kit that contains a comprehensive booklet for your trip along with some Verso swag (such as a bag, pen, and sticker) that you can bring along with you on your pilgrimage. And of course, we’re always available by phone or email if you have any questions or special needs.

Have a Question?

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Activity Level

Easy
This trip’s activity level is easy. It’s recommended that travelers be in good health to enjoy this itinerary and be able to walk and climb stairs on their own. Trips at this activity level may include half or full-day itineraries with 1-3 hours of leisurely walking per day on smooth or slightly inclined terrain. The pace is more relaxed, with opportunities to rest throughout the day.

Moderate
This trip’s activity level is moderate. Travelers must be in good health and be in good physical condition to enjoy this itinerary. Travelers must be able to walk and climb stairs on their own. Trips at this activity level may include full-day itineraries of 3-5 hours of walking at a normal to brisk pace per day on varied terrain including uneven surfaces, stairs, and hills. The pace is faster and more demanding, with some breaks throughout the day.

Difficult
This trip’s activity level is difficult. Travelers must be in good health and physically fit to enjoy this itinerary. Trips at this activity level may include full-day itineraries with up to 5-7 hours of walking at normal to brisk pace per day on varied terrain including uneven surfaces, stairs, and steep hills. The pace is vigorous and demanding, with little down time each day.

Accommodation Level

Simple
For the duration of your trip, enjoy a range of lodging accommodations — from quaint guesthouses to simple-styled hotels. Discover a newfound appreciation for each of these locations which often have a unique character of their own. With your private bathroom and sleeping quarters, these locations will provide you with a clean, comfortable, and cozy place to settle into during your journey.

Standard
Venues at this level will provide you with the best accommodations at a reasonable cost. Not only will you have access to modern amenities and services, but special care is taken to ensure hotels are located in close proximity to the area’s local attractions. Expect your stay at this level to provide you with an added feeling of comfortability and convenience as you experience your pilgrimage.

Premium
Your stay at the premium level will ensure that your travel involves the opportunity to experience some of the most unique and luxurious stays that a destination has to offer. You’ll find that traveling at this level will afford you the opportunity to optimize your experience at each spot. From fine dining to scenic views, anticipate that your pilgrimage will provide you with breathtaking experiences no other location could provide.

How will I know what my stay will be like?
Each of our pilgrimage locations come with their own unique accommodations. From simple to luxurious, you can know that the care and satisfaction of each pilgrim is our greatest priority. While specific amenities will vary, we are sure that each of these handpicked locations will leave you rested, rejuvenated, and ready for each day.

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