Stone Age to New Age: Sacred Sites and Mysticism in Ireland

The Trip

Ireland, it's the one place on earth

That heaven has kissed

With melody, mirth,

And meadow and mist.

(Ancient Irish Proverb)

Join us for short walks each day as we discover the myth and mystery of Ireland’s sacred pre-Christian sites. We’ll spend time at each place we visit, learning the history and its spiritual connection through rituals or meditations.  It differs from other trips in Ireland because it offers an in-depth spiritual dimension not ordinarily discussed nor expressed.

Every tradition has its definition of sacred sites. In Ireland sacred sites are places within the landscape, hills, rocks, waterholes, trees, plains, and other natural features, which had a special significance for the early inhabitants dating from the Stone Age to the present day.

The cultural history of Ireland is rich in ancient Celtic myths and legends, fairies and druids; the numerous sacred sites are a testament to its earth-based wisdom. As we explore the sacred landscape, we will connect with the power, wisdom, and beauty of the magical stone circles, mounds, and ritual sites of the ancient homes of the Celtic Gods and Goddesses. While many megalithic monuments are considered ‘tombs,’ they are also ritual sites and may have astronomical significance. For example, the passage tombs at Newgrange and at Loughcrew have astronomical alignments.

Many of the sites we visit are on hilltops and will involve short hikes across rough terrain; therefore, hiking gear is the most suitable clothing to wear. However, it is important that participants are aware that this outing is not solely a historical/heritage/hiking trip; it will also focus on the spiritual, mystical, and magical elements of Ireland’s cultural inheritance. An open mind and a sense of adventure are essential to the success of the trip.

This outing includes visiting speakers, workshops, readings, discussions, and meditations connecting with the spirit of place. Topics will include ancient Irish mythology, ritual, customs, and modern day revival of ancient wisdom traditions. The pace of the tour will also allow personal time for reflection and meditation. The itinerary includes the places we plan to visit, but it will not include the ceremonial or ritual information.

Day 1: We meet at a hotel in Galway for a short Sierra Club orientation and introductions with our historian followed by dinner.

Day 2: At 9:00 a.m. the driver will meet with us and we will drive south to visit the Burren, County Clare, an area rich in the ancient sacred sites. We will visit Poulnabrone Megalithic Tomb, the Burren Visitor Center at Kilfenora, and St. Brigids Holy Well before taking a coastal route back to Galway. Overnight: Galway.

Day 3: Leaving Galway, we will travel north through County Galway and take a four-kilometer forest walk visiting the mound of the King of the Fairies at Knockma (Tuam, Galway). As we continue on to Cong (County Mayo), we visit the site of the first great mythological Battle of Moytura between the Tuatha De Danann and the defending Fir Bolgs. Overnight: Newport.

Day 4: We will visit Bohea Stone, a pre-historic monument with circular carvings. We will visit (but not climb) Croagh Patrick, Ireland's 'Holy Mountain,' a pilgrimage site in the pre-Christian era that overlooks Clew Bay. We will also visit the National Famine Memorial and Murrisk Augustine Friary in Murrisk at the foot of Croagh Patrick. Overnight: Newport. 

Day 5: We will drive to North Mayo, visiting an area known as the Ceide Fields, the largest Stone-Age monument in the world, with field systems, dwellings, and tombs almost 6,000 years old, where we will see the second-tallest standing stone in Ireland and a Court Tomb. Overnight: Newport. 

Day 6: Leaving Newport we will drive to Sligo, visiting the National Museum of Countryside Life at Castlebar and continuing north to Carrowmore, the largest Megalithic Cemetery in Ireland (4600-3900 B.C.). Overnight: Sligo. 

Day 7: Sligo, rich in ancient heritage and sacred sites, offers many choices. We will climb Knocknarea (1,078 feet), the resting place of the mythological goddess Maeve (Queen Maeve) and also visit Tobernalt, an ancient Holy Well still in use today. Overnight: Sligo.

Day 8: Today we drive to visit the Caves of Kesh, limestone caves on the side of Keshcoran Hill, which is rich in mythological stories. We will continue on to Carrowkeel Megalithic Complex on the Bricklieve Mountains overlooking the site of the second Battle of Moytura, which was between the Tuatha De Danann and the Formorians. Overnight: Sligo. 

Day 9: Before leaving Sligo we take a four-kilometer hike in Deerpark, visiting a Megalithic Tomb. We continue on to Rathcroghan in Roscommon, visiting Cruachan Ai Visitor Centre in Tulsk. Cruachan is the ancient name of the royal site of the great kings of the Connaught Region and sacred center of the Goddess/Queen Medb (Maeve). Overnight: Athlone/ Mullingar.

Day 10: We will start with a stop-over at a roadside well dedicated to St. Brigid, the ancient Triple Goddess. Afterward, we take a guided tour of the recently opened Hill of Uisneach, the spiritual center of Ireland and the burial site of the Earth Goddess Ériu and the Sun God Lugh, which has over 40 surviving features -- the most famous being the ‘Catstone.' Overnight: Athlone/Mullingar.

Day 11: Today we visit Loughcrew, where clusters of Megalithic Cairns are dotted around the Slieve na Caillaigh (Hill of the Witches). This area is rich in heritage; time permitting, we will visit The Hill of the Ward, an ancient ceremonial site. Overnight: Trim/Drogheda.

Day 12: No tour is complete without a visit to the Boyne Valley, Ireland’s Valley of the Kings, which is home to some of the better-known ancient monuments in Ireland. The importance of the Hill of Tara predates Celtic times. The oldest monument on the hill is a Neolithic passage tomb known as the Mound of the Hostages, which was constructed around 3,400 B.C. We will also visit Newgrange and Knowth, world-renowned passage tombs that are older than the Pyramids or Stonehenge. Overnight: Trim/Drogheda.

Day 13: Our closing ceremony will be at the Fourknocks Passage Tomb, which is decorated with abstract art and bears the first depiction of a human face found in prehistoric art in Ireland. The trip will end at the Dublin Airport.

The above are the places we intend to visit, but if there is inclement weather or other factors that would jeopardize the health or safety of everyone, we will make changes to the itinerary as needed.

Getting There

Transportation to and from Ireland and to the meeting point is the responsibility of the each participant. There are frequent flights into the Dublin or Shannon airports. Our trip begins at our hotel in Galway on the West Coast of Ireland and ends at the Dublin Airport on the East Coast. Buses and trains depart to Galway daily if you are flying into the Shannon or Dublin airports. Detailed instructions about where to meet prior to the trip will be sent in a letter once you are approved for the trip. Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

We will spend our nights in bed-and-breakfasts, inns, and a few small hotels. All breakfasts, two lunches, and all but one dinner are provided. Breakfast is provided in each of our lodgings and lunches can be purchased in towns where we stay or along our daily route. Local cuisine has progressed well in Ireland and some restaurants are second to none in the United States. Dinner will be in local restaurants or in our accommodation. Vegetarian meals are always available; however, they may be more limited than in the U.S. If you have any specific dietary needs, please contact the leader before signing up for the trip.

Trip Difficulty

This outing has been designed for people who are interested in more of a cultural and experiential trip that includes some easy to moderate hiking. There will be walks to cultural sites each day with most of them no more than a few miles in length. Hiking Knocknarea (1,078 feet in elevation) will be the most strenuous day. It requires participants to be in fairly good condition and able to walk safely up and down the hill without difficulty. Ireland has many rocky and uneven footpaths that have to be negotiated, so walking poles are encouraged. Being in good physical condition will ensure that you and our group of traveling companions have a wonderful and safe trip. 

Equipment and Clothing

Comfortable hike clothing and good hiking shoes or boots are the standard attire. It is green in Ireland because it rains, so good rain gear is also a necessity. Comfortable evening wear with just a few selected garments will complete what you need to bring. Luggage will be transported in the boot of the bus or an enclosed trailer. It is requested that no more than one suitcase or duffle bag accompany each person. A complete gear list will be provided to approved trip participants.

References

• Meehan, Cary, The Traveller's Guide to Sacred Ireland: A Guide to the Sacred Places of Ireland, Her Legends, Folklore and People.
• Beeaff, Dianne Ebertt, Spirit Stones: Unraveling the Megalithic Mysteries of Western Europe's Prehistoric Monuments.
• Powell, Philip I., Of Druid’s Altars & Giant’s Graves: The Megalithic Tombs of Ireland.
• Comeford, Kieran, Newgrange and the New Science.
• Burl, Aubrey, A Guide to the Stone Circles of Britain, Ireland and Brittany.
• McMann, Jean, Loughcrew: The Cairns: Guide to an Ancient Irish Landscape.

Conservation

Ireland has been inhabited for over 10,000 years and was once a land covered by dense forest. Human habitation and wars have depleted the land of these vastly forested areas. Frequent downpours that once kept water levels high are now seeing lower water tables due to changing weather conditions. Alongside agriculture and animal husbandry, oil fields have found their way into Ireland's homelands so like the United States, Ireland faces a battle to preserve pristine lands. We will discuss how today's modern society is impacting the land in both countries.

Evacuation and Travel Insurance

The Sierra Club provides evacuation insurance to all participants on international trips. Since this coverage does not include any trip cancellation or interruption insurance, we suggest you purchase another policy separately to provide coverage for your trip and other travel costs. This policy also does not cover pre-trip and post-trip travel. Please note the evacuation insurance provided does not cover claims resulting from any pre-existing condition that occurs within 60 days of the trip departure. If you have specific questions about this exclusion, please review the insurance brochure. For information on purchasing a separate policy, please see our travel insurance page.