Mystic Ireland Tour
April 21 - May 3, 2015
Join Celtic scholar and transformational guide Nancy Lee-Evans, PhD for twelve days and
eleven nights exploring Ireland's Celtic traditions, music and culture.
Day 1 - Arrive at Shannon Airport
Airport transportation to your lodging will be provided for those arriving on April 21.
Experience has shown that the first day after transcontinental air travel is very difficult. I’ve
seen passengers arrive at the airport bleary eyed only to be whisked away for their first day
of tour barely able to keep their eyes open. I believe it is better for travelers to have an
unscheduled first day to get grounded, tough out staying awake, go to bed early and start
fresh the next day able to appreciate their experience. Our first night will be at Bunratty, 10
miles from Shannon Airport, where you can visit Bunratty Castle and Folk Park or stroll the
village shops (or not!) at your leisure. We will gather at our guesthouse by 4 PM on April 21
for introductions, orientation and our first meal. Our journey begins in earnest on April 22.
Day 2 - Inis Mór, Aran Islands
We will travel by ferry to Inis Mór, largest of the Aran Islands. This is the most traditional
part of Ireland, remote yet steeped in an ancient spiritual energy that made for honing
countless Celtic saints. Here we will set our intentions for our journey, connecting with the
ancestral spirits of the land. The Stone Age fort of Dun Aengus stands at the meeting place
of the elements with only America to the West. We'll slow down here, visit shops, pubs,
walk on the beach and open to Ireland's magic.
Days 3, 4, and 5 - Limerick and Dingle
Returning to the mainland we head southwest to Limerick on the beautiful Shannon River.
Our afternoon is at the Grange, the largest stone circle in Ireland - a magnificent
experience! When satisfied here, we’ll explore the nearby Neolithic park at Lough Gur,
home of the Goddess Aine. We continue to Dingle Peninsula, a quaint, unhurried of Ireland,
our home for the next three nights. Dingle is a picturesque town with beaches and shops to
explore at the quieter pace of rural Ireland. If luck and weather is with us, we may reach
Skellig Michael in Kerry.
Days 6, 7, and 8 - Wicklow and Kildare
On our forth day we head northeast to the hauntingly beautiful sacred landscape of
Glendalough, the 6th century monastic community of St. Kevin in the Wicklow Mountains,
now a national park. In addition to tours of the monastic city, Fr Michael Rogers will
introduce us to the contemplative landscape features of Glendalough, used by pilgrims for
a millennium as places of prayer. Nancy will bring you into closer relationship with the
nature spirits of Glendalough, who are especially strong here. Alternatively you can hike
along the green road that transects the park or visit the nearby village of Laragh with its fine
woolen mill. We spend 3 nights in Glendalough.
Now we head north to the holy well of Mother Goddess and Saint Brigit and the light of Her
eternal flame in Kildare. St. Brigid, abbess of one of the largest monasteries on Ireland,
also served as a healer, peacemaker and counselor to kings. We will visit the energetic and
inspiring Brigandine Sisters of Solas Bhride who continue this mission of peacemaking and
keep the sacred fire of Brigid burning as it has been since the 6th century. The tangible
spiritual eminence of this flame has brought some on my tours to tears. We journey on to
Co. Meath, our home for our last three nights.
Days 9, 10, and 11 - Co. Meath
Our final days in the Boyne Valley includes visits to Newgrange, the extraordinary restored
passage cairn built 1000 years before the Pyramids, Slieve na Cailleach, another passage
cairn where we will be undisturbed and a closing ceremony at the Hill of Tara, ancient
ceremonial site and seat of the high kings of Ireland. We will conclude with a final dinner
together sharing our reflections of our time in Ireland. We return to Dublin Airport in the
morning.
We will have the wonderful opportunity to celebrate Beltane, the ancient fire ceremony day
that marked the beginning of summer, on our last day in Ireland. While it is too early to
know where our best event will happen, be assured that we will spend this day in grand
style.
Return to Dublin Airport: Day 12
This is not a typical tourist tour, nor will your experience be that of a typical tourist - no
Guinness Brewery, Waterford Crystal or Blarney Stone. You will be hiking in rural locations
where terrain is rocky with sometimes-extended uphill climb. Reasonable mobility and
stamina are important to enjoying this tour - and a good pair of ankle supporting hiking
boots!
Each site we visit is an opportunity to share about the culture and heritage of the Celtic
people and to access ancestral energies that evoke memory and healing. This land and
these places have the transformative power to stir your soul and change your life.
Cost: $2790, including a $15 Kenai Peninsula Borough tax. A $1000 deposit will secure
your place. Deposit is non-refundable after February 15, 2015, when the final payment is
due. Airfare is not included. Enrollment is open until April 1.
Payment: Mail a check to the address below with your email address and phone number
or make credit card payment on the website with PayPal. Click the REGISTER NOW button
on the schedule page, this will connect you to the PayPal payment page. You can use your
PayPal account or pay as a guest directly with your credit card.
Be Sure to Contact Nancy: It is important to talk with Nancy when you register. Please
email her at nancy@nancylee-evans.com with any personal needs or restrictions that you
might have and include a paragraph about your particular interests in the tour. This will help
her keep your interests in mind as the trip unfolds. Include any Irish names you have in
your family tree so that she can link you to information about your clan. She will send you
information about what to bring and how to make the most out of your experience.
Airfare for Alaska travelers: While the Mystical Ireland Tour does not include airfare; here
are some thoughts to consider when booking your travel. Alaska Airline travel partners
Delta, American, KLM and Air France earn miles for Alaska and toward Alaska Airline MVP
status. British Air miles count toward miles earned on Alaska, but not toward MVP. Please
check when you purchase since this policy may have changed since this writing. United
often has good deals. You will earn nearly enough miles for a free award ticket if you book
all the way from Alaska to Ireland no matter what company you fly with.
Tour includes:
 Accommodations for our tour will be in 3 star or better hotels or guesthouses. All are
shared twin rooms with private baths serving a full Irish breakfast. It will fill the
heartiest eater and sustain many until dinner. A private room supplement is available
upon request. Three additional dinners will be provided leaving you the freedom to
choose your dining location on other nights.
• All ground transportation in first class buses, pick up at Shannon airport and drop off at
Dublin airport.
• All teaching and on-site presentation by Nancy and guest contributors.
• All applicable taxes and entrance fees.
• Airfare is not included.
Email: nancy@nancylee-evans.com
Phone: (907) 235-4770
Mail:
The AnamCara Program, 66665 Fry Ct., Homer, AK 99603
Register: REGISTER HERE to link to registration and PayPal or send a check to the
address above.
More about AnamCara and Nancy at http://www.nancylee-evans.com.