our parish pilgrimage to ireland 2013

On Saturday 25th May 2013 we gathered for Mass at St Richard’s. After we boarded the coach that would take us to the west coast of Ireland via Holyhead and Dublin.

After a very pleasant sail we arrived in Dublin, then set off across Ireland to our Hotel the Diamond Coast at Enniscrone where we were able to relax and have a very good dinner. Next day after a wonderful breakfast we then set off for Knock and had Mass in the apparition chapel. After we had some free time to eat and have a look round then set off to Turlough were we visited the Museum of country life, very interesting. A wonderful dinner in the Hotel to end the day.

Next day we had a good breakfast, then Mass in the Hotel before setting off for Foxford woollen Mills were we had an interesting visit. Then on to Ballintubber Abbey, a place where Mass has been celebrated for hundreds of years even through penal times. Nice pint and sandwich before returning to our Hotel for another wonderful Dinner.

Today after a good Irish breakfast we had Mass then set off for a coach tour to Westport then on to the Sheffrey hills via Croagh Patrick ( just looked at as we passed ) and Connemara.

Then on to Kylemore Abbey.
Kylemore Abbey is a spectacular building overlooking a lake and we had a pleasant visit.

Another fine dinner and entertainment in the Hotel.
Next morning after another good breakfast then Mass, we set off for Achill Island and the North Mayo Coast. We didn’t manage the Ceide Fields because of the time factor, but the Cliffs at Ballycastle more than made up for that as it was so spectacular. Dinner and entertainment again in the evening.

Today after Breakfast we then boarded the Coach for our day out to Sligo, Lough Gill, Drumcliffe and Parkes Castle. On the way we stopped at Tobernalt, a place where we had Mass and was special because through Penal times Mass had been said there in this secret place.

We then moved on to Parkes Castle where some of us went for a sail on the lake famous for the Isle of Inishfree. A very pleasant trip, with very loud explanations on the way. We then moved on to Drumcliffe, famous for the burial place on W.B. Yeats.

We then returned to the Hotel for Dinner and entertainment.
Today, a sad day, we were leaving. After breakfast we loaded our luggage onto the Coach and the Coach wouldn’t start. Was this a sign that we should stay. Unfortunately a mechanic was called and we were away, three quarters of an hour later. We arrived in Dublin and went to the shrine of Matt Talbot where we had Mass. After, with losing time we only had a short but very pleasant stay in Dublin. Then, boarded the ferry for our crossing to Holyhead, a very smooth journey too. We arrived back a St Richard’s at 3.30 in the morning all very bleary eyed but enjoyed it very much, Roll on the next one.

George Fox, 09/07/2013