Re-formed Congregation of the Goddess
Women’s Mystical Ireland, June 27-July 7, 2007

The ancient sites of Ireland are among the most spectacular in the world, and the country is rich in folklore, fairytales, myth, and legend. Ireland truly has a magic all its own. This unique journey is for women and about women as we explore ancient sacred sites of Celtic Goddess lore. Through connecting with the land, visiting ancient stone circles, sacred wells, dolmans and ritual places, we will explore the Landscape of the Heart of Ireland. This magical journey will take us to Paps of Anu, Ring of Kerry, Newgrange, Hill of Tara, Kildare, sacred center of Eiru, Sligo and other mystical sites. We’ll have time at the seashore, the option of a seaweed bath to relax and rejuvenate our bodies and end with a wonderful banquet and music at Bunratty Castle.

There will be ample time for retail therapy, lots of fun and laughter as we share our own personal stories, delicious local food, traditional Irish music and dance! Always keeping an eye out for that lucky four-leaf clover! Don’t miss this personalized, off the beaten path, women’s journey to explore the Emerald Isle!

$2,995 (US$)
double occupancy

We will assign roommates to solo travelers if desired & as available.

Single accommodations are available for supplement of $499.

To register: email lynnlevy@chorus.net to obtain your registration form.
Send $500 deposit check payable to “RCG-4 Lakes Circle”
along with completed registration form by Oct. 15, 2006 to:

Lynnie Levy, 158 Jackson Street, Madison, WI 53704 USA

(Early registration is advised to avoid disappointment. This is a popular program & may well fill prior to the registration deadline.)

Tour price includes:

• Accommodations double occupancy
• All meals noted in itinerary
• Private motorcoach and driver
• Facilitation by specialized local guide
• Site entrance fees / Private ceremonies
• Farewell dinner and music show

Tour price does not include:

• International airfare to Shannon, Ireland
• Items of a personal nature
• Meals not listed on itinerary
• Shannon airport taxes if applicable
• Tips and gratuities

Daily Itinerary

Day 1. Wed., June 27: Depart USA for Ireland.

Day 2. Thurs., June 28: (L & D). Arrival Shannon airport, board our motorcoach. Our journey begins at The Grange, the largest stone circle in Ireland dedicated to the Sun Goddess Aine with an opening circle and greeting. We enjoy a delicious vegan lunch at a local B&B where they grow most of their own food. Arrive at our hotel with time to rest before a delicious dinner and a good night’s sleep! NIGHT IN KILLARNEY.

Day 3. Fri., June 29: PAPS OF ANU, SHEELA-NA-GIG AND SACRED WELL (B). Morning drive through the lovely Irish countryside to visit the City, nestled beneath the Paps of Anu, known to be one of the four fabled cities of the Tuatha De Danann, the Goddesses and Gods of the land. The Paps, mountains shaped as Her breasts, are known as one of the 7 sacred mountains in the world. Then on to Ballyvourney to visit one of the oldest sacred wells in Ireland and to see a Sheela-na-gig, an ancient symbol of woman's freedom and creativity. These ancient Goddess figures are abundant in Ireland; there are over 70 known “Sheela” images. These pagan images were incorporated by many early Irish churches as a way of accommodating what could not be eliminated, and appear on church & monastic ruins. We will have time here to explore and connect with this ancient feminine energy and drink from the sacred well, visited for centuries as a place of Pilgrimage. NIGHT IN KILLARNEY.

Day 4. Sat., June 30: RING OF KERRY (B & D). Full day Ring of Kerry. National Geographic has described the ring of Kerry area as one of the most beautiful areas in the world with its romantic glens, towering peaks and constantly changing color! Tomas O’Sullivan, a well-known traditional musician will join us for the day. Tomas plays a variety of instruments including the Illium Pipes (Irish bagpipes) and will enhance our experience at the sites with his beautiful music. We begin at a local Castle and then onto the Ring-Fort of MacCree. Relaxing lunch at Smugglers Inn located on the seafront, wonderful fish! Outside of Waterville we will be led into the Great Stone Circle of Eightaue by the local guardian, Eileen McGuire for ceremony. We travel on to the picturesque town of Sneem to another face of the Goddess and back to Killarney via a Fairy Glen. NIGHT IN KILLARNEY.

Day 5. Sun., July 1: KILLARNEY (B). In the morning we visit the Kerry Weavers where we'll see traditional weaving techniques. Here we'll be able to purchase beautiful scarves and throws at a fraction of retail cost! Joe O'Sullivan, local guide and Celtic Shaman will take us on a forest walk and introduce us to the Tree World and the land of the Faery Folk. Late afternoon free for shopping, rest, meditation. NIGHT IN KILLARNEY.

Day 6. Mon., July 2: KILLARNEY / MEATH (B & D). Early start to County Kildare to visit the Brigidine Sisters, Mary and Phil, who still keep the fire to the Celtic Goddess Brigid alive. They serve as the bridge between the Goddess and the Saint. Late afternoon travel to the royal County of Meath. Dinner at hotel. NIGHT IN MEATH.

Day 7. Tues., July 3: MEATH, BRU NA BOINNE VALLEY INCLUDES NEWGRANGE & KNOWTH (B). Full day excursion to Meath, located 30 miles from Dublin and home to one of the worlds most famous archeological valleys “Bru Na Boinne”. Here we visit the spectacular world-famous Neolithic tomb of Newgrange with its kerb stones and megalithic art, the most famous of all Irish prehistoric monuments and the oldest engineered building in the world, older than the great pyramids of Egypt. This is the Home of the Dagda, the Ancient Ones who brought the Goddess tradition to the Irish shores. At the base of the mound there are 97 large stones lying on their sides. They are beautifully carved with Irish spirals, zigzags, and other symbols. The most famous is the triple spiral design on the large stone at the entrance. On December 21, Winter Solstice, the sun shines directly into the opening, down the long shaft and into the inner chamber, lighting it for about 20 minutes. Lunch on your own at the visitors center. Afternoon visit to the cairns of Knowth with their impressive circular chambers. Early evening back at our hotel with time to walk around Naven Town and choose where to dine. NIGHT IN MEATH.

Day 8. Wed., July 4: MEATH / WESTMEATH / SLIGO (B & D). Today we visit Tara, the royal seat of the Kings of Ireland and the ancient setting of the Bealtaine Ceremony which denotes the King lying with the Goddess Maeve for the good of the land. We'll explore the remains of an early settlement and a Faery grove of trees. Lunch and time to visit the local shops in Tara. Afternoon will take us onto Sligo which holds 65% of all of Irelands megalithic sites! Arrive our hotel in Sligo. NIGHT IN SLIGO.

Day 9. Thurs., July 5: SLIGO / CARROWMORE (B). The most extensive megalithic complex in Ireland and one of the largest concentrations of early megalithic sites in Europe. You will see a mixture of small passage-tombs and dolmens, as well as what appear to be stone circles. We will visit the Triple Stone Circles of the Maiden, Mother and Crone, we will have our closing ceremony in the glen to honor the powerful Goddess energy within each of us. Lunch on your own. This evening you may choose to luxuriate and relax in a seaweed bath (extra cost of approximately $32, private room.) The seaweed is gathered daily and put in hot water to bring out the essential oils which detoxify the body leaving it feeling smooth and youthful. Seaweed has been used for centuries for healing. Rich in iodine, it helps replenish your vitamins and minerals. You may have a private room, towels provided, or couples may share a room. Treat yourself to this rejuvenating, relaxing experience, fit for any Goddess! Afterward, time to stroll the beach and dine at one of the local pubs. NIGHT IN SLIGO.

Day 10. Fri., July 6: SLIGO / BUNRATTY (B & D). Today we travel to Ennis, stopping enroute in Galway town for lunch and some last minute retail therapy We arrive at Bunratty Village with time to rest before our evening Medieval Banquet Dinner and traditional Irish entertainment at Bunratty Castle. OVERNIGHT Bunratty Castle Hotel.

Day 11. Sat., July 7: (B) Today we say farewell to Mystical Ireland. We leave with magical memories and the close bond that we now share with our new “Sisterhood” of amazing women friends! Transfer to Shannon Airport. Welcome Home!

As we visit various stone circles and sacred sites, Amantha Murphy, our local Celtic & Shamanic guide will offer meditations and ceremonies to help us connect with the essence and energy of these ancient places. Amantha works with individuals and groups, both at home and internationally. Her work focuses primarily in connecting with the Land, Rites of Passage, Ancient Goddess Pilgrimages and Shamanic Healing. She lives in Kerry, Ireland with her two younger children. As a child Amantha spent summers in Kerry with her grandmother who was a midwife and healer. From an early age, her grandmother helped Amantha to open to the essence of the Great Mother Goddess, the Land and Her own Inner Nature.

Our program has been designed/organized and will be accompanied by Gayle Lawrence, avid traveler, nature lover, business owner-entrepreneur, continual student of personal and spiritual growth, and founder of Journeys of Discovery, offering women first class travel to powerful, unique places. “Following my heart, my desire is to open doors for other women to explore the world while discovering deeper parts of themselves.”

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