Celtic & Shamanic Journey
July 17 to 27, 2004

Overview >> Itinerary

Saturday July 17th - WELCOME TO IRELAND! The group arrives into Shannon International Airport and is met by Amantha Murphy our Celtic/Shamanic Guide. Rest and settle into Lake Hotel, Killarney, our home for 4 nights. Gentle walk in the afternoon and opening circle. Dinner in Hotel.

Sunday July 18th - PAPS OF ANU, SHEELA-NA-GIG AND SACRED WELL. Anu is the Mother goddess and the 'Paps' are the two mountains shaped like her breasts, where the Shining Ones lived. On to Ballyvourney, Co. Cork, to see a Sheela-na-gig, an ancient symbol of woman's freedom and creativity. Drink from the sacred well visited for centuries as a place of Pilgrimage. Lunch at the Mill Inn.

Monday July 19th - RING OF KERRY. Take in an ancient fort at Cahersiveen, built by the first Celts. Visit a stone circle in Waterville, pre. 5000 years old, built by the ancients. This is where Amairgin, Ireland's first Druid, landed and wove the land into himself, allowing the Celts to enter this sacred place. Lunch at the Smuggler's Inn (wonderful fish!)

Tuesday July 20th - MEETING WITH THE TREE PEOPLE. A Walk in the Woods, with Shaman and Healer Joe O'Sullivan. He will introduce us to the tree world and connect us with our tree brothers and sisters. Afternoon, free time in Killarney. Alternatively, a day trip to Blarney Castle, to kiss the Blarney Stone can be arranged for those who express this desire in advance of the trip. In the evening we are going to a traditional music and dance show!

Wednesday July 21st - TRAVEL UPLANDTO MEATH. Going en-route to Lough Gur, the largest stone circle in Ireland dedicated to the Goddess Aine. At the summer equinox, the Sunrise comes over the hill of Cnoc Aine and in through the two dolman Stones into the center of the circle. Lunch en-route. Check into Newgrange Hotel, Navan, our home for 3 nights.

Thursday July 22nd - NEWGRANGE, KNOWTH AND DOWTH. Oldest engineered building in the world. Home of the Dagda. Where the midwinter sunrise goes, on it's journey, into the center of the Newgrange cairn. Megalithic drawings and the famous triple-spiral on the entrance stone. Lunch at the visitors center. (Taken from here now on a guided coach to the sites)

Friday July 23rd - HILL OF TARA AND HILL OF WARD. Tara: Home of the Celtic kings of Ireland and the Stone of Destiny, which is said to scream when those of royal blood touch it. Hill of Ward: where Tlachtga, one of the most powerful druids in Ireland, was buried. This is known as the 'Druids' Hill.

Saturday July 24th - UISNEACH. John will return this morning for a guided tour of famous Arthurian murals in the library of the Student Union Building. These extraordinary paintings, executed by members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, including William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones, are based on Tennyson's Idylls of The King and depict scenes of these famous poems. John will talk us through the imagery of the paintings and read from Tennyson's work. Free time in Oxford during which John will be available for 1on1 Tarot readings using the Arthurian Tarot cards devised by him and Caitlin.

Sunday July 25th - TULSK. Central place of the ancient Rites of Eiru from 4,000BC to 2,500BC. Home of Maeve. We are Going to the sacred Well dedicated to the 'sisters' Eithna and Fidelma. Lunch at the Visitor's center. On to the Hill of Cairns. Moving on to the Cave, Oweynagat (whose meaning is 'cave of the Cats') with an Ogham Stone overhead, which is one of the first writings here in Ireland, dedicated to Fraech, son of Maeve. Even today this is known as one of the entrances to the Underworld.

Monday July 26th - CARROWMORE. One of the largest concentrations of early megalithic sites in Europe. Visit the Triple Stone Circles of the Maiden, Mother and Crone. Walk to Maeves Cairn, in the Mountains of Knocknarea by the Atlantic Ocean. Lunch at 'The Venue'. Our Last night in Shannon, Co. Clare where we will be going to a Banquet at Bunratty Castle. Lots of music, song and laughter! Staying at the Fitzpatrick's Hotel in Shannon just by Bunratty Castle..

TUES 27th - Drive to Shannon airport. Goodbye fellow travelers until we meet again…

Price includes 10 nights in 3 to 4 star hotels, all taxes, and daily breakfast and dinner (including a medieval castle banquet). All entrance fees into sites are included, Irish show (similar to Riverdance), bus transportation throughout and tour guide and guest facilitators. There will be attunements, storytelling, music and 'craic' along the way. David will be taking photos of people and places throughout with his digital camera and a souvenir CD will be gifted to everybody. Some lunches and other surprise gifts may be included if the group size exceeds 15 - 20 people. Allow us to give back to you.

Not included in the price are the round trip flights into Shannon International Airport, lunches and any discretionary spending, tips to the bus driver and the tour guide.

Price per person based on double occupancy is $2,590 if reserved by December 15th, 2003, after that the price is $2,760. Choice locations in the hotels will be given to the first people who decide to join us. Tour limited to 25 people. Please book early to avoid disappointment and to pay a lower price.

We can match you with a roommate if you reserve your space early enough and somebody is available. $400 per person single supplement.

A $500 deposit confirms your reservation. The final payment is due by March 31st 2004.

For reservations, flights and more information call mindbodytravel, a division of Cartan Tours at 800.818.1998 or email Julie at : juliew@cartan.com.