PILGRIMAGE HOLIDAYS
FOR PARISHES AND SOCIAL CLUBS
Enjoy Travel is an Irish Catholic family business based in Lancashire with strong family ties to the West of Ireland. We know the by-ways and the high-ways and will take you to places of great historical and natural interest that other visitors rarely get the opportunity to see.
Our groups vary in size from as little as twenty up to two thousand depending on the event. If you wish to join in with another parish, we will be happy to assist.
In 1879, more than 130 years ago, on August 21st there was a visit from the Blessed Virgin Mary to a little village in Co. Mayo on the West Coast of Ireland. That village is known as knock and in 1979, to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of the apparition, the then Pope, John Paul II also visited. During his time there, he elevated the status of Knock from that of a shrine to a Basilica. The intervening years have seen millions of pilgrims come from all over the World and it is with this in mind that we would like to extend to you and your parish an invitation to come and visit with us yourselves and while there, to enjoy all the other things that the West of Ireland has to offer. A pilgrimage/holiday is an ideal way for your parish to enjoy a break together and while doing so, to benefit from both the spiritual and social side of what Co. Mayo and other local counties have to offer.
While Knock is the obvious goal of the journey there is a host of other interesting things to do and sites to visit in and around Co Mayo and these of course will be an integral and an important part of your visit.
St Alban's, Blackburn Newsletter Nov 2011 -
''Enjoy Travel do fantastic trips. We have had
lots of coach tours over the years!'' Rev. Canon Harrison.
Ballintubber Abbey
While there may be doubt about the association of many places with St.
Patrick, it seems clear that there was a Patrician settlement here in Ballintubber in the 5th Century. The abbey was built on this site in the 12th Century and Holy Mass has been celebrated there (since its foundation), continuously for well over 700 years which makes this place unique in the English speaking world.
Croagh Patrick
Close by is Ireland’s Holy mountain Croagh Patrick (known as the Reek!) where legend has it that St. Patrick fasted for 40 days and 40 nights on his missionary journey through Ireland. The reason why it became a place of pilgrimage is that St. Patrick was in Mayo preaching to the pagans of the time, trying to convert them to Christianity when his assistant, who used to drive him around Ireland in a donkey and cart, took ill and died in a place called Murrisk. St Patrick went to the top of the mountain to pray for him and stayed there for 40 days and 40 nights. During that time the Lord came to him in a dream and gave Patrick permission to return to Irela
nd in the last days before the last judgement to lead the Irish people in prayer and reconciliation.
Achill Island
No trip to Mayo is complete without a visit to Achill (weather permitting). There is a magic about Achill, as it is a Island and part of the mainland and yet quite distinct being joined at Achill Sound by a bridge. Achill has some splendid mountain scenery and some fabulous views from the top of Menawn Heights, the coach will travel along what is referred to as Atlantic Drive. Our trip will take us to keel and Dooagh where you can have a dip in the sea if you are so inclined. This is the last outpost of Europe; the next parish is New York.
Dun Briste 
Dun Briste is an impressive sea-stack, approximately 200ft high and stands about 100yds off Downpatrick Head, near Ballycastle in Co. Mayo. The stack and the cliffs in the area, were formed about 350 million years ago, when the sea temperature around Ireland were much higher than today. The cliff-scenery at Downpatrick is majestic; on a clear day the coastline of counties Sligo and Donegal are visible.
Céide fields
The discovery of what is now known as Céide Fields really began back in 1930’s when a local school-teacher, Patrick Caulfield from Belderrig, often noticed piles of stones in the bottom of the bog when cutting his turf. It is now known that these are the remains of a Stone Age landscape of stone walled fields, houses and megalithic tombs over 5,000 years old.
There is now a fantastic visitor/ interpretive centre which not only presents the archaeology of the site but also the botany, bogs and geology of the area.
Clonmacnoise
The ruins of Clonmacnoise represent the ancient abbey, monastery and schools which were built around 545 A.D by St. Ciaran. The site is situated at an ancient crossroads where the Esker Way and the Shannon River intersect.
Tochar Pádraig
The Tóchar Valley is a beautiful unspoilt region in Co. Mayo and the walk known as Tochar Pádraig is well signposted and runs through various villages between Balla and Murrisk and includes many interesting places to visit such as Mayo Abbey and Belcarra.
It will be interesting and enjoyable for you to be able to claim that you walked some of the ancient road set down by the Kings of Connaught hundreds of years ago.
Foxford Woollen Mills
The sprawling Foxford Woollen Mills located on the banks of the famous River Moy was founded in 1892, and the visitor centre which was opened in May 1992, the centenary year, tells the story of the courage, perseverance and the ability of the amazing nun, Mother Agnes Morragh Bernard who founded the Mills in 1892. The Mill grew into a world renowned centre for the production of high quality tweeds and is a testament to her and to her determination. There is a tour available giving you a chance to experience life in this particular part of Ireland as it was in the middle of the 19th century. In the working part of the mill you will meet the skilled craftsmen and women producing the now world famous Foxford tweeds, rugs and blankets. Other facilities here include a coffee shop, a mill shop, art galleries, an exhibition Centre and craft units.
Please email us at info@enjoytravel.co.uk or call the office on 01254 504970 for a brochure which provides full details of the pilgrimage trip including a sample itinerary, full description of the excursions, a booking form and prices.
''We have done three pilgrimage holidays with Enjoy Travel and enjoyed every minute. The attention to detail and the dedication of Gerry and Sue Flynn to their customers is legendary''. - Fr John Ahern, St Mary's of the Angels and St Clare, Levenshulme, Manchester