WELCOME TO THE PILGRIMAGE
Inishmore, Ireland
Sunday, July 20 - Saturday, July 26, 2025
Hello Pilgrims.
Welcome to the Inishmore Pilgrimage. By receiving a link to this page, we want you to know that you are wholeheartedly welcome to join us on this coming pilgrimage to Inishmore, Ireland. We are very glad that you will be joining the group for discovery, learning, contemplation, deep rest, and wonder. These days will offer you many moments of deepening your understanding of Celtic Christian history, dedication to the God-revealing grandeur of Nature, enjoyment of community, and most importantly many experiences of union with God.
This page will be updated with any new information so check back here a few times before the trip so that you will have all the updated information.
In order to secure your place in the Piligrimage group you will need to make a down-payment or a full payment. Please note that the payments are non-refundable because they translate to saved and booked rooms at our lodge. If you have not made a payment yet, then click the links below to be taken to the payment pages:
I anticipate our pilgrimage time together will be rich experience, discussion, and friendship. I hope that you're already starting to feel that nice anticipation.
Very important! Please check soon to make sure that your passport is up to date and will still be valid for 6 months past the date that you plan to arrive in Ireland. If you need to update your passport then I strongly suggest that you go ahead and do that soon. It often takes several weeks to get that update completed.
In order to prepare for our time together, I would like us to have two online meetings so that we can get to know one another and discuss the trip and planning details. I will also do a bit of teaching so that you understand the history of where we are going and why it is important for Celtic spirituality (both pre-Christian and Christian eras).
Our online meeting times will be January 29, 2025 and May 28, 2025. In January we will emphasize trip details and getting to know one another. And in May we will emphasize further trip details as well as the history and spirituality that we will be encountering together. We will gather at 5:00 p.m. (US Pacific Time Zone) and we will end by 6:30 p.m. We will gather online using Google Meet and here is the link for our meeting:
Just click on the link and it should open to the meeting where you can click to "join". If clicking doesn’t work then copy and paste that address into your browser (Chrome browser works best) and it should take you directly to the meeting where you can join.
I hope that you will consider coming early or staying longer in Ireland. If you can spend extra time in Ireland then I have put together a list of sights and experiences around Ireland that you may want to visit before or after our time together on Inishmore. These suggestions are related to our Pilgrimage experience and show off many of the outstanding experiences around the country. You’ll see that list below.
Concerning costs, your fee to The Celtic Center covers your lodging on Inishmore during our time as a group, as well as dinners and breakfasts from dinner on the first day through breakfast on the last day. You will be on your own for lunch. Your fee also includes transportation on the island to our group events. The week will likely include a fun evening with a local musician and storyteller, and your fee also includes that experience. You will be responsible for all costs in getting to the island of Inishmore as well as any additional travel that you plan while you are in Ireland.
I’ve included many details below, and it is quite important to take some time to wander through these items so that you understand our trip and aren’t caught off guard by things that you didn’t anticipate.
It probably goes without saying, but please make your airplane reservations several months beforehand. You should also buy ferry tickets well ahead of time as well. The same is true for lodging and transportation for your travels in and around Ireland. I certainly plan for our pilgrimage group to exceed minimum required numbers, but in the unlikely circumstance that it needs to be changed, we will know that by our meeting on Jan. 29. If you want to wait until that date to book tickets then that would be a good idea. Again, it is quite unlikely that the trip would be changed for any reason, but please make choices that make the best sense to you.
As an aspect of your preparation, please read “An Invitation to Celtic Wisdom” by Carl McColman. You can get this book through one of the online book distributors in book or electronic form, your local bookstore, or your local library (if they have book or digital copies). It’s a very helpful overview of the Celtic world and mindset that you will be entering. And if you are particularly inclined, a second helpful book is “Listening for the Heartbeat of God” by John Philip Newell.
I hope that your travel plans will shape up well and that you will enjoy your journey both to Ireland and to the island of Inishmore. Part of a pilgrimage is the effort, planning, and creativity required for the journey. May your journey be part of the pilgrimage blessing both outwardly and inwardly.
Let me know if you need anything. I'm glad to help in any way that I can.
With hope for a grand week together,
Dr. Kirk Webb
(Director of The Celtic Center)
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TRAVEL
For most of you, you will be flying to Ireland. The Shannon Airport is the closest major airport to one of the ferries that travel to the island of Inishmore. If you are flying into Shannon, then Doolin is the closest ferry terminal. However, you could also fly into Dublin or Belfast (or possibly Cork). Note that Belfast is in Northern Ireland, but you can travel easily down to the Republic of Ireland. This is an open border.
It is strongly recommended that you plan on being in Ireland a day or two before and after our pilgrimage time together so that you can acclimate to the time zone and also have easy travel instead of rushed or stressful experiences. I hope you will be able to add several days to your travels either before or after the pilgrimage. Many suggestions are provided below for your planning.
Exchange your money into EUROS either before you leave, at the airport when you arrive, or at a bank or ATM in Ireland. There is an ATM at the grocery store on Inishmore. Usually, the best exchange rate will be before you leave at a bank, but please do your research with your bank or on the internet before you leave.
To get from your airport to a ferry terminal you will be taking a train, bus, rental car, or hired car.
If you are using a hired car, then note that Ireland does not have app-based ride-share options (like Uber, Lyft, etc.) so you will be using a taxi service instead. Find a hired car through an internet search or by asking for suggestions from the hosts of your lodging including our hotel. The Irish are generally very helpful and will be glad to help you sort out how to find a ride.
If you rent a car, remember that you will be DRIVING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD and going around traffic circles in a clockwise direction. Stay very mindful of these differences while you drive. Also, note that most credit card companies do not provide supplemental car rental insurance in Ireland (if that is a benefit with your credit card in general). Check with your personal car insurance policy to see what they cover in Ireland on a rental car. And if you need primary or supplemental insurance on your rental car, plan on buying it through the rental company.
Ireland has a robust bus and train system so if you are just traveling from an airport to the ferry then the cheapest options will be the bus or train systems. A Google search will point you in the right direction for those options. The Transport for Ireland website may be helpful as well.
If you are renting a car, then the Doolin and Rossaveel ports have long-term parking that you can utilize for a very respectable price.
To get from the mainland to the island of Inishmore you will need to take a ferry or a small plane. Most people take the ferry. You will leave from either Rossaveel (northern side of Galway Bay), Doolin (southern side of Galway Bay), or Galway City. If you are taking the ferry from Galway, some of the boats depart from Galway and some require a very reasonable bus ride to Rossaveel. Our hotel has a nice webpage that will direct you toward these travel options. The information is toward the bottom of that webpage.
We will be staying at the Aran Islands Hotel. There will be a van from the hotel waiting at the pier to drive you to the hotel. If you would rather walk and need directions then just ask any local person in the little town of Kilronan and they will know where you want to go. The hotel is about a 10-15 minute walk from the ferry.
Please plan on gathering in our meeting room at the Aran Islands Hotel on Inishmore on the first day of our pilgrimage at 4:30 p.m. (16:30). The front desk folks can tell you where to find that meeting room. If the weather is nice then we will be going across the street to the beach for our first gathering time. Hopefully we will be able to begin our connection with the wonderful wild interface of water and land. Bring a towel from your room because you will be invited to wade into shallow water. If it's stormy weather then we will meet inside, but either way, please meet in our meeting room at the hotel at 4:30 p.m.
Dinner that first evening will be at 7:00. The other days we will be having dinner at 6:30. I've asked for that extra time so that we can know one another and begin our learning, practices, and organization of the week. Please plan on having a snack in your afternoon that day so that the later dinner hour won't distract you. After dinner that night we will be finished with our agenda so that you can get rest and acclimate to the different time zone if needed.
We will conclude our pilgrimage time together at 11:00 a.m. Many of you will take the ferry off of the island between 11:00 and 12:00. We will plan to end our time together so that you can catch the hotel van back over to the ferries. If you would rather have a more leisurely moment of leaving then there are ferries off of the island later in the afternoon as well. It is best to make your ferry plans and buy tickets well beforehand.
Most people choose to leave that afternoon and then spend the night on the mainland ( for example, in or near Galway City or Doolin) before going to the airport for a return flight the following day). We don’t advise trying to fly out the same day that the pilgrimage ends because you will be exhausted after such a huge effort. It is best to plan on leaving the island the final day of the pilgrimage, stay on the mainland that evening (or multiple days if you would like), and then fly out when you are ready to return home.
Optional: If you'd like to rent a bicycle (regular or e-bike) to go to things on your own during your free time then you can rent one in the heart of the little town of Kilronan on your walk to the hotel just across the street from the Aran Islands Knitwear store or near the pier. The bike rental shops are quite obvious. Alternatively, you check with the front desk about other transportation options around the island. Please note that you are responsible for the cost of bikes or hiring a van. Sometimes our usual van drivers will be willing to take you to places in the afternoons, but that is up to their own needs and schedules. The island is only 8 miles long, but several destinations are outside of walking distance. It is certainly not required to have a bike so only rent one if you desire.
PACKING
Passport. Make sure that your passport is up to date and will be valid all the way through your travels. Do that immediately because updating can take several weeks. Please note that international travel often requires that your passport does not expire within six months of your arrival date so please ensure that your passport expiration date is beyond six months after the date that you plan to arrive in Ireland.
Hiking shoes or sturdy sneakers. We will be doing a bit of walking every day (anywhere from half a mile to about 2 miles but no more than 1 mile at a time). Our walking will be on paved and dirt roads, some of the walking will be over rocky uneven ground. Let me know if you have any concerns. Plan on bringing hiking shoes or at least sturdy sneakers.
Sitting pad. Bring a small foam or waterproof pad to sit on when we are outdoors.
Small hiking chair (optional). At the sites that we visit, we will be gathering for teaching, conversation, and spiritual practices which require you to stand at times while listening or talking. If extended standing is a problem for you then please bring a small portable seat such as a portable hiking stool, tripod chair, or small lightweight backpacking chair (NOT the full-size outdoor chairs that you would take to an outdoor concert because these would be far too big and heavy). This “chair” should fit in your backpack or be easily carried in your hand.
Weather-layered clothing. We will be outside each day so please bring layers of clothing to accommodate sun, clouds, rain, and wind. A rain hat and jacket are certainly recommended even though this time of year is often sunny and mild. However, Ireland gets regular wind and rain so please be prepared.
Journal and pen or pencil. Please bring a journal that you can carry along on the walks to do bits and pieces of writing as we go.
Camera. Bring a camera of some sort (like the one on your phone), for documenting your journey but also for some contemplative exercises.
Water bottle. Bring a bottle for our wanderings.
Small backpack. It would be helpful to bring a small backpack so that you can carry your journal, water, jacket, hat, camera/phone, and snack.
Electric adapter. Remember that Ireland uses different electric plugs and wattage compared to the US. If you plan to plug anything into an outlet then you'll need to bring an "adapter". And if you have a device that can't convert the wattage on its own then you'll need a "converter". If your device says Input 120/240 then you're probably okay without a converter, but if it doesn't say that then you're taking a risk by plugging it in without a converter. Many modern phones and computers are 120/240 but please confirm yours before plugging it in. It is usually appliances with a heating element (such as a hairdryer) that must have a converter.
Prayer cloth. In the Celtic world, people often tie a small strip of cloth or ribbon to a "prayer tree" as a way of enacting prayer. These trees are often located near holy wells or other sacred spaces. We will be visiting at least one location with a prayer tree so, if you would like, please bring a small strip of cloth or ribbon so that you can embody your prayers in that ancient way. In order to honor Earth, please only bring biodegradable material (i.e. natural fiber cloth, etc.), not foil or plastic-type ribbon or synthetic cloth. If you would like to use grasses or reeds as your “ribbon” then that would be quite honoring as well.
For our morning and evening prayer times together we will be making use of John Philip Newell's "Celtic Benediction: Morning and Night Prayer". It is recommended that you have your own copy. You can get it in eBook format from Amazon, Google, Apple, etc,. or you can purchase the small book and bring it with you. There is no need or requirement to have a copy. It's a beautiful prayer book and I trust that you will enjoy and be blessed by it.
Near the time of our pilgrimage, you will receive a PDF by email with written material for our week together. Please plan on either printing that material and bringing it with you or having it available on your electronic device for use in both the hotel and outdoors.
READING
Before the pilgrimage, please read “An Invitation to Celtic Wisdom” by Carl McColman
If you would like continued reading then try “Listening for the Heartbeat of God” by John Philip Newell.
PHYSICAL ABILITY
As a measure of your ability to participate in the pilgrimage experiences, it is strongly recommended that you are able to:
Walk 1 mile on paved, dirt, or rocky roads that are a combination of flat surface and gentle inclines. (Up to 2 miles in a day.)
Walk up and down a flight of stairs without help or equipment.
Negotiate a stair rise (up and down) of 12 to 16 inches.
Walk across rock surfaces that are cracked and uneven without poles, canes, or other equipment. Although hiking poles are certainly helpful and allowed, it is best if you are not completely reliant upon them.
Walk up and down a hill of 100 feet in elevation. Hills are both road surfaces and inclines that require stair stepping ability.
Feel confident in your standing and walking balance.
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IRELAND TRAVEL SUGGESTIONS
Pre-Christian and Christian sites and places of Natural beauty
EAST
NEWGRANGE
5,200-year-old passage tomb
Boyne Valley, County Meath, North of Dublin
GLENDALOUGH
Early Christian monastery - founded by St. Kevin
Located within the Wicklow Mountains National Park. This is a lovely Natural environment.
County Wicklow, south of Dublin
THE BOOK OF KELLS
Celtic Christian illuminated gospel text from Iona, Scotland and Kells, Ireland
There are other incredible books as well and the library itself is beautiful
In the Trinity College Library Museum
Dublin
ST. BRIGID’S CATHEDRAL & ROUND TOWER
Former site of the monastic community founded by St. Brigid
Kildare, County Kildare, southwest of Dublin
CENTRAL
CLONMACNOISE
Early Christian monastic ruins - founded by St. Ciarán (who also founded a monastery on Inishmore)
Original High Crosses in the museum
Athlone, County Offlay, on the River Shannon
WEST
THE CLIFFS OF MOHER
Magnificent cliffs towering over the incoming waves of the Atlantic
Just southwest of Doolin
County Clare
THE BURREN
The whole region is notable for its exposed limestone landscape
It has long been a sacred area for humans and you'll find preChristian and Christian sites scattered throughout (ex. stone circles, mounds, tombs, and churches)
Hiking trails will lead you to some of these sites, a very good one is on the ridges above Fanore
County Claire, south side of Galway Bay
POULNABRONE DOLMEN
5000-6000 years old, Dolmen or Passage tomb
South of Ballyvaughan, The Burren, County Claire, south side of Galway Bay
CROAGH PATRICK
nicknamed "the Reek"
Mountain that is a regular pilgrimage journey
County Mayo
CONNEMARA REGION
Beautiful hill and lake country
County Mayo, North side of Galway Bay
GALWAY CITY
A fun and lovely Irish city
Enjoy music, shopping, and walks along the streets or coast
County Galway, East end of Galway Bay
W.B. YEAT’S GRAVE
One of Ireland's best-known poets from the 20th century
Drumcliffe Church Graveyard
Drumcliffe, County Sligo, just north of the Sligo City
CARROWMORE AND THE KNOCKNAREA HILL BURIAL SITE
6000-year-old gravestones and portal tombs
West of Sligo, County Sligo
SOUTH / SOUTHWEST
THE DINGLE PENINSULA
Beautiful coast drive and hiking along the southern coast
County Kerry
See the beehive huts along the southern side of the end of the peninsula
See the Gallarus Oratory, early stone church on the northern side of the end of the peninsula
COUNTY KERRY, THE RING OF KERRY, AND SKELLIG MICHAEL
The whole region is gorgeous
The coast drive called The Ring of Kerry is renowned
Skellig Michael, island off of Kerry, site of an early Christian monastery
INNISFALLEN ISLAND
Monastic ruins and hikes. Take a canoe to the island and enjoy this ancient sacred space.
Killarney National Park, County Kerry, an island in Lough Leane
DROMBEG STONE CIRCLE
Approximately 3000-year-old stone circle and burial site.
near Glandore, County Cork
NORTHERN IRELAND (note that you will be crossing an international border)
THE GRAVE OF ST. PATRICK
Downpatrick, Northern Ireland, Churchyard of Down Cathedral, south of Belfast
THE GIANT’S CAUSEWAY
Striking interlocking basalt columns on the edge of land and sea
Drive along the Causeway coast for incredible views
Northern coast of Northern Ireland
EVERYWHERE
Throughout the country, you will find small villages. Find one of interest and wander out the country lanes. Park somewhere remote and enjoy a walk along a lane (road and grass lanes). Remember that cars drive on the left side of the road and the lanes are narrow so always be aware of getting out of the way of any cars or bikes.
The west and southwest coastlines are particularly dramatic and you'll be rewarded with a drive along any of these areas. "The Wild Atlantic Way" is a good route to research as it contains way-markers and routes to many of these wonders.
And of course, do your own research to find places of interest to you. You will find landscapes, Natural markers of sacred significance, dolmens, portal tombs, stone circles, Celtic symbols everywhere, sacred wells and springs, church and monastic ruins, magnificent displays of Nature, and serene rolling green hills everywhere. Remember that the ancient ones considered the very land itself to be the body of the goddess Ériu (which evolved to Éire which is why the country is Éire-land or Ireland). Walk and explore the land mindfully knowing that you are truly on sacred ground.