Celtic Journey A Traveler's Guide to Ireland's Spiritual Legacy

by Rabey, Steve; Rabey, Lois Mowday

• ISBN13: 9780806521619
• ISBN10: 0806521619
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-05-01
• Publisher: Citadel

Summary

The Ireland of myth and legend, still to be sensed and appreciated in the modern world, is the focus of this new and different travel guide. It contains not only the usual tips on what to see, where to stay, and how to get there, but also plentiful details about dozens of memorable and mystical sites, from New Grange to Staigue to Skellig Michael to Aran, and beyond. The traveler in search of wider experience of this ancient verdant land will find fascinating information about archaeology, geography, comparative religion, and local customs, as well as highlights from lively Irish literature and haunting Celtic music. Complete with maps, illustrations, and photographs, Celtic Journeys is a practical, easy-to-use treasure for those planning a trip to Ireland and for anyone interested in the world of the ancient Celts and its significance today. Book jacket.

Author Biography

Steve and Lois Rabey together and individually have written nearly twenty books and hundreds of articles. Steve's articles have appeared in the New York Times, New Age, and Christianity Today. Their regular visits to Ireland have deepened their love for this amazing island, and they currently lead annual Celtic Journeys tours. The couple lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Table of Contents

Introduction	vii
Part I: The Sites
Monuments to Eternity	3	(14)
The ancient Newgrange and Carrowmore cemeteries
The Browneshill and Poulanbrone dolmens
Care of the soul at the dawn of civilization
In the Footsteps of St. Patrick	17	(16)
Armagh, Croagh Patrick, St. Patrick's Purgatory, the Rock of Cashel, and Ireland's conversion to Christianity
Books, Bards, Monks, and Musicians	33	(18)
The Book of Kells
Pub crawling in Dublin
Yeats and the faeries
Frank McCourt's Limerick
Blarney
Celtic Music
Legendary and literary Ireland
St. Kevin's Glorious Glendalough	51	(12)
A storied Celtic monastery is green shrine to creation and the Creator
Fortresses for Kin and Clan	63	(12)
Dun Aengus
Dunbeg
Staigue Fort
Grianan of Aileach
Celtic family values in a harsh, heroic age
Divine Outposts	75	(16)
Remote Skellig Michael
Inishmurray
Monks search for silence and solitude on dozens of beautiful monastic islands
High Places and Thin Places	91	(14)
Ancient hill forts, standing stones, and sacred wells reveal the Celts' love of the land and the pagan gods
Cities of God	105	(18)
Monasteries and abbeys
Ciaran's Clonmacnois
Brigid's Kildare
Celtic crosses and round towers
Mellifont and Timoleague
Gallarus Oratory and Kylemore Abbey
Other saints' sacred sites
Pilgrims in Distant Lands	123	(18)
St. Brendan the Navigator
Columba and Iona
Celtic saints in Europe
Pilgrimage to Knock
Wandering for God
Part II: Getting There
Tips for the Journey: General Information for Planning Your Trip	141	(14)
Practical tips and helpful information about traveling in Ireland
A-Z Guide: Sites, Cities, and Major Points of Interest	155	(50)
A detailed alphabetical listing of hundreds of sites, cities, towns, hotels, B&Bs, and restaurants
Suggested Itineraries	205	(8)
Ideas for day trips and longer journeys
Recommended Resources	213	(5)
Acknowledgments	218	(1)
Index	219