England and Ireland

Two islands, one story: the faith that reached Canterbury with St Augustine and travelled west to Ireland, where monks kept it alive through the centuries and carried it back to Europe. Our England and Ireland pilgrimages follow that road, from the great cathedrals of the south to the Atlantic shrines of the far west.

Across England and Wales

London opens the journey — Westminster Abbey, St Paul's, Southwark — before Canterbury, the see of St Augustine and the mother church of English Christianity. North lies Walsingham, England's National Shrine of Our Lady and a place of pilgrimage since the eleventh century. Salisbury, Glastonbury and the Roman city of Bath follow, then Cardiff and the National Shrine of Our Lady of Cardigan before the ferry crossing.

Across Ireland

Ireland is met by sea, as pilgrims have always met it. The route takes in Cork and its churches, the Ring of Kerry and the sixth-century Gallarus Oratory, the Cliffs of Moher, and Knock — where Our Lady appeared in 1879 and where more than a million pilgrims now come each year. Dublin closes the journey with St Patrick's and Christ Church.

Travelling as a group

Daily Mass is arranged at the shrines and cathedrals wherever possible, and groups are kept small enough to celebrate together rather than at the back of a crowd. The pace leaves room for prayer and reflection, with a free day in Dublin before the journey home.