September 16th you arrive on the 17th is coming in a day early.
September 17
Travel Day - Depart From Home
Day 1 September 18 - Monday - Dublin
After passing through immigration in Dublin at 9:00 AM, we begin our adventure! We will meet you in the Arrivals Hall under the big yellow sculpture before departing for Dublin.
If you prefer to arrive a day early and rest before our scheduled activities, we have arranged rooms at the Camden Hotel Dublin. We are currently negotiating a price for these rooms and will have more information once we know how many participants will arrive early. The estimated cost for bed and breakfast will be approximately $215, with a single room option available for $240. We will pick you up from the Camden Hotel on the morning of September 18 to begin our itinerary.
First, we travel a short distance to the center of Dublin, where we discover the city's charm as we embark on a brief walking tour. We will experience some of the highlights of this historic city - Christchurch Cathedral, Trinity College with its magnificent library and renowned 'The Book of Kells'. You will have free time to roam or shop before traveling to our hotel.
Then enjoy country hospitality when we arrive at our hotel. There we are served a delightful meal in a quiet, peaceful atmosphere. We will have time for more formal introductions, retiring early to relax and refresh ourselves after your long journey.
Overnight in our hotel in the Dublin suburb ( B. D)
Day 2 September 19th -Tuesday - Boyne Valley - Newgrange – Knowth.
Today we immerse ourselves in the rich heritage and culture of the Boyne Valley. We will visit three ancient temples. These sites are older than the pyramids of Egypt, and their uniqueness will astound you. Each temple was built to be aligned with the sun. Some believe these are remnants of the Atlantean civilization, and others say Pleiadian.
At Newgrange, we view the enormous stones etched with ancient art surrounding the temple. As we enter the temple, we experience its energy as the ancients did before us. On the winter solstice, the sun rises in perfect alignment, casting a beam of light down the center of the temple.
Next, we travel to Knowth, which consists of one large temple surrounded by more than eighteen satellite structures. Ancient kings once ruled from this site. One of the most fascinating aspects of Knowth is its rich collection of megalithic art. The art found in Knowth is carved into the stones that make up the tomb, and it includes a wide variety of motifs, such as spirals, lozenges, and serpenti forms.
In the afternoon, we will visit Fourknocks; a megalithic Temple with a passage leading into a wide, pear-shaped chamber with three smaller offset chambers. This 5000-year-old Temple decorated with abstract art has a surprisingly large space inside. You realize that you have entered a gallery of startling images made by our ancestors' thousands of years ago. The stone carvings are unique and strongly aligned with Native American art.—a magical place to do sound healing and connect with the ancestors. Locals say you will have good luck if you walk around the mound three times clockwise.
Overnight in our hotel in the Dublin suburb ( B. D)
Day 3 September 20th - Wednesday - Loughcrew and Tara
Today we visit the magnificent, ancient megalithic site of Loughcrew Cairns in Co Meath. Also known as Slive Na Callaigh, or the Hill of the Witch, Loughcrew could be said to be the best-kept archaeological secret of Ireland. Loughcrew has over 30 chambered cairns and contains the highest concentration of ancient sacred architecture in all of Ireland. The hill and its cairns have old folklore stories of giants and heroes bewitched by fairy women and goddesses. Many cairns have been studied extensively by archaeoastronomers and found their entrances and passageways aligned to different solar calendar periods, such as the solstices, equinoxes, and cross-quarter days.
A large stone in the northern part of the kerb is known by three names, 'Chair of the Witch,' 'the Chair of Queen Tailtiu,' and 'Queen Maeve.' Some say the stone chair was used for prophecy. Here you can sit in it to receive insights and downloads. The speaking stones are nearby, which assisted Oracles in seeing and clearing curses, healing, and enhancing visions.
Travel to Tara for Lunch
After lunch, we first visit the Holy Well and then experience the rich spiritual heritage of Tara, which has been revered for thousands of years as a place of power and magic. Tara is one of Europe's most significant Celtic monuments, an area steeped in spirituality and mythology and revered as a dwelling place of the gods and the seat of the High Kings from the times of the mythological Fir Bold and Tuatha De Danann. Tara is now the heart of the threefold golden flame of Illumination. Here we will have a special ceremony, and we open our hearts to the beauty and magnificence of who we are and all we are becoming.
In the middle of the Royal enclosure is a standing stone believed to be the Lia Fáil – the Stone of Destiny - at which the High Kings were crowned. Legend has it that after a series of challenges that had to be met by the would-be King, the stone was required to roar three times with a screech that could be heard all over Ireland if the chosen one was a true king.
We will pay homage to the Fairy Tree and leave our offerings and wishes, seeking the blessing of the fairy folk. The hawthorn tree is a portal to the Otherworld, where the fairy folk reside. We will have time to visit a Tara gift shop featuring all things Celtic.
That evening, we travel to Glendalough to enjoy a beautiful dinner.
Day 4 – September 21st – Thursday - Glendalough
Glendalough, The Valley of the Two Lakes, is one of the most sacred places in Ireland. Spiritually, it represents the perfect balance between the Divine Masculine and the Divine Feminine – a place where one can truly connect with the beauty of the heart. People have been drawn to this ancient monastic site for thousands of years to experience its outstanding natural beauty and serenity, surrounded by the Wicklow Mountains.
The monastic city of Glendalough comprises several churches, a spectacular round tower, and an early Celtic cross, most of which were built in the 12th century. The ancient gateway to the monastery complex is the only surviving entrance to an early ecclesiastical settlement. There is so much to discover in this picturesque valley. Apart from the main complex are Trinity Church, Saint Mary's Church, Reffert Church, the Green Road, Saint Kevin's Cell, St. Kevins Well, lakes, streams, and much more.
Glendalough is also home to the Faerie folk, who will surely touch our hearts with lightness and joy as we immerse ourselves in this place of sacred balance and awareness. We will explore the legends and ruins and walk in the natural woodland surrounding this spiritual retreat.
During our stay in Glendalough, we will have time for a group ceremony and individual and group meditations, reflections, and integration.
We will experience a Celtic night of traditional dinner, song, and dance this evening.
Day 5 – September 22nd – Friday – Kildare - Killarney
Early Morning We Say Goodbye To Glendalough And Travel To Kildare.
We have a special visit to Solas Bhride Centre and St. Brigid's Wells. There, we visit The Flame of St. Brigid. Her Flame burned for over a thousand years before the English Reformation. Saint Brigid is believed to have been a Druidic Priestess who converted to Christianity.
Scholars suggest that priestesses gathered on the hill of Kildare to tend their ritual fires while invoking a goddess named Brigid, to protect their herds and provide a fruitful harvest. When St. Brigid built her monastery and church in Kildare, she continued the custom of keeping the fire alight. For her and her nuns, the fire represented the new light of Christianity. Gerald of Wales visited Kildare in the twelfth century, and he reported that the fire of St. Brigid was still burning and that nuns of St. Brigid were tending it. It survived, possibly up to the suppression of the monasteries in the sixteenth century. The sacred fire/flame was re-lit in 1993, in Market Square, Kildare, in perpetuity. Since then, the Brigidine Sisters in Kildare have tended the Flame.
We will meet with the sisters, walk the labyrinth, and visit the holy wells. People who visit the Holy Well tell stories of miraculous healings and divine inspiration. We will visit the Cathedral and the original fire temple.
After Lunch, We Depart For Killarney, Where We Will Overnight For 2 Nights. ( B. D)
Day 6 – September 23rd – Saturday - Killarney
Morning departure for Killarney National Park, where we will visit the beautiful Torc Waterfall. A magnificent place where you will encounter elementals and more. We will also stop at Muckross House to view and tour the house with its 365 windows and 52 chimneys, along with its gardens. On a jaunting cart ride to the falls, you will journey back in time as you explore the mystical grounds, waterfall, and magical forest. Some have reported seeing a leprechaun or two.
Later, we will wander through Muckross abbey and experience the mystically powerful energies of the Yew tree. The Ancient Yew Tree is said to be well over 1000 years old. From pre-Christian times, the Yew is associated with the eternal, and the Druids preferred to make their wands from the wood of the Yew.
Free time to explore.
Overnight in our hotel in Killarney.
Day 7– September 24th – Sunday – Kenmare & Garnish Island
This morning we travel to Kenmare to explore its sacred stone circle associated with May Day, the goddess and sacred dance. Here, you can take part in a ritual, getting in touch with the past which awakens us to the energy of the now. We will experience sacred dance at these stones as our ancestors may have done thousands of years before us on May day. This is a magical and sacred place.
In the afternoon, we travel to the exquisite seaside town of Glengarriff, taking in the local color. We also visit Garinish Island, a subtropical paradise, a remarkable place on a 37-acre island reachable only by boat from the village of Glengarriff. The gardens of Garinish were created in 1911 and are the joint work of John Bryce, then owner of the island, and Harold Peto, architect and garden designer. The signature garden area is undoubtedly the Italian Casita, overlooking a formal pool in an area lushly planted with fuchsias, camellias, myrtles, and scented rhododendrons. It also has an enchanting temple where we will do a ceremony. Its stunning gardens, scenic location, rich history, and diverse wildlife make it a unique and unforgettable experience.
Free time to explore and it's a magical place to shop. Overnight in our hotel in Glengarriff. ( B. D)
Day 8 – September 25th – Monday – Gougane Barra - Drombeg Stone Circle
This morning we journey to the enchanting valley of Gougane Barra, home of Saint Finbarr, a 6th-century Irish mystic of the Celtic tradition. His first settlement was on the shores of a beautiful lake now known as Gougane Barra. We visit the oratory and walk the holy grounds of the old monastery, feeling its energies and sacredness and viewing the cells in which he and his monks lived. Here will have time to weave the energies of our journey and connect to the sacredness of Place.
Free time to explore the gift shop and Cafe.
Our next destination is the Drombeg stone circle, known as the 'Druid's Altar'. This awe-inspiring site brims with history and enigma, offering a window into the practices and beliefs of our ancient forefathers.
Remarkably, the stone circle aligns with the Winter Solstice. During this time, the sun disappears behind the horizon for three days, only reappearing in the lower valley, casting a dramatic light on the stone circle.
The Drombeg stone circle is renowned as a significant initiation site, where a water initiation ritual awaits us. Additionally, lying on the altar provides a unique experience that is not to be missed, but it comes with a warning - don't sit on a Druid altar unless you can handle the vibrations! This site was once an educational center that housed a sacred temple dedicated to fertility and unified consciousness.
Overnight in our hotel in Cork. ( B. D)
Day 9 – September 26th– Tuesday – Blarney Sacred Druid Gardens and Castle - Dublin
Discover the enchanting beauty of Blarney. Our first stop will be the Blarney Woollen Mills. Afterward, we will visit the iconic Blarney Castle, where you can choose to kiss the Blarney Stone and receive the gift of eloquence. We'll take a stroll through the mystical Rock Close, which is believed to be the site of an ancient druidic settlement. Here, you can marvel at the ancient yew trees and the curious rock formations that have stood for over 2,000 years. Don't forget to make a wish on the Wishing Steps, said to bring good fortune and make dreams come true. For those who seek a more profound experience, the altar of the Druids and ancient circles provide a glimpse into the sacredness of Blarney's Druid heritage. And for those who want to bask in the beauty of nature, the Fairy Gardens, with their mossy rock formations and waterfalls, offer an escape into a magical realm.
In the afternoon we will depart for Dublin and our final group night stay in Ireland.
Overnight in our hotel near Dublin Airport. ( B. D)
Day 10 – September 27th – Wednesday.
Depart for home with Beauty in our hearts, grateful for all we have experienced .
The retreat package includes:
9 nights of Quality hotel accommodation
9 days Full Irish breakfast
9 three-course dinners with three different options (Please let us know if you are Vegan)
Tips to Drivers, Guides, Hotel and Restaurant staff
All Entrance Fees to Sites All Ground Transportation
On-site Teachings and Ceremonies
A special Evening out with dinner and entertainment
Transportation to and from the airport
Not Included:
Airfare
Lunch
Alcoholic beverages
Extras at Hotels (Mineral water, tea, coffee, personal expenses, laundry, telephone calls, etc.)
The Total Retreat Fee using Cash, Check and Zelle is $4500.
Retreat Fee with Credit Card or Debit Card $4600.
Deposit – USD 850 (Non-Refundable)
The deposit of 850. secures your place and is applied to your retreat balance.
Checks are made to:
Stephanie Phelps White Horse Journeys
6818 E. Beverly Lane
Scottsdale, AZ. 85254
Extra Option- The single-room supplement rate is 850.
for someone wishing to have a room to themselves without a roommate.
For more details or questions Contact Stephanie at: Stephanie@stephaniephelps.com"