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Pilgrimage to Ireland
June 21-July 2, 2010
There is a magic about Ireland which is recognized by people worldwide, maybe because its name means Land of the Goddess Eriu. The varied landscape of lush green meadows, mountain ranges and spectacular coastline certainly lead one to believe that this land is blessed.
Stories of fairy folk and leprechauns also reflect the belief that the land has guardians. There is a feeling of spirituality held within the land that has been honoured by successive generations for thousands of years. Our pilgrimage will be through space and time as we journey to all four provinces of this island visiting sites revered as sacred by Pagans and Christians.
We start in the north in the land of Ulster. Politically separate from the rest of the island it is part of Great Britain. The traditional heart of this region is the ancient hilltop enclosure Emain Macha of Irish history and legend. The legends and stories of this historically rich land will guide us on our pilgrimage.
We explore the huge megalithic complex of Beaghmore Stone Circles set in a stunning landscape, then onto the Janus Idol and Lusty Man stone figures on Boa Island which are a pre-Christian mystery.
Making our way south over the border into the Republic of Ireland (no passport controls here!) we enter the province of Connaught. Here we explore the western center of Cruachain. At Rath Cruachain, the coronation site of the kings of Connaught, we find solar energy. Close by is Oweynagat, the Cave of the Cats or the entrance into the Underworld, a place of the goddess.
Moving further south into Munster province we discover some of Ireland's early Christian heritage on the rocky isle of Skellig Michael. We will take the ferry ride across to the island where we find monastic beehive huts perched seven hundred feet up the hillside exactly where two powerful earth energy currents cross. We stay in world-renowned Killarney and sample traditional Irish music and maybe a pint of Guinness in one of the many local pubs.
Heading back north we stay for the rest of our journey in the old town of Kells famous for The Book of Kells and its High Crosses. We are now in the eastern province of Leinster where we visit Newgrange and Knowth cairns, Ireland's most famous Neolithic sites. We will enter into the centre of Newgrange cairn that was used for spiritual ceremony before Stonehenge was built.
At Knowth we see some of the finest Neolithic stone carvings in Europe. The ancient seat of the high kings of Ireland at Tara is the traditional center of this province located by a holy well. We will use the wonderful acoustic properties of Fourknocks underground chamber where we have private access.
We get a bird's eye view of seventeen counties from the top of Loughcrew or Slieve na Caillighe - the Mountain of the Witch. And finally we arrive at Uisneach the geographical and energetic centre of All Ireland, from where the Catstone or Stone of Divisions marks out the four provinces we have visited. We have returned to the centre and have the opportunity to heal rifts and divisions here.
This tour is being co-led by Glenn and Cameron Broughton and Rev Karyl Huntley.
