In our last blog post we heard participant Chris Franek’s captivating feedback on his travel experience to Ireland with tour leader, author & TV host Phil Cousineau. For this post, we asked Phil to share his thoughts on what makes Ireland such a perfect destination for a spiritual journey, and why this journey – A Spiral Journey into the Heart of Ireland with Phil Cousineau: Explore the Mythology, Arts, and Spirituality of the Ancient and Modern Celtic World, September 19 – 30, 2015 – will be especially memorable.
SEJ: What makes Ireland such a good destination for a pilgrimage or spiritual journey?
Phil Cousineau: For the last 6,000 years, people of many persuasions have been taking “pilgrimages” – spiritually transformative journeys to sacred places – around Ireland. Early on, they were to old stone sites, dolmens, and burial mounds, then in Christian times to the tombs of saints, later on to battle sites. In modern times pilgrimages continue to traditional sites such as Lough Derg and Clonmacnoise, but also secular pilgrimages to literary sites such as James Joyce’s home in Dublin, or Yeats’ Tower near Ennis, and even music sites, such as O’Connor’s Pub in Doolin, where the music revival began. Ireland is a webwork of pilgrimage roads, both sacred and secular.
SEJ: Which site(s) or place(s) in particular on this tour are you most excited to explore with participants?
PC: Over the last thirty years of leading tours to Ireland, I find that Yeats’ Tower in Ennis is very moving to my explorers, as is his friend Lady Gregory’s home (now in ruins) and park, as she was part of the Gaelic Revival. The Aran Islands are always spectacular in their lunar-like landscape, and the ruined castles of Connemara are popular. For those who enjoyed “How the Irish Saved Civilization” the old abbey grounds of Clonmacnoise are evocative of the era of the Irish scribes. We venture to Belfast this year to walk in the footsteps of Van Morrison and visit its beautiful Victorian Pubs. Dublin is one of the grandest cities in the world, and we will visit the Book of Kells at Trinity College, and take a day trip to Newgrange, a stone tomb that is a thousand years older than the pyramids at Giza.
SEJ: How will the daily discussions and time for journaling enhance the participants’ travel experience and enjoyment of Ireland?
PC: One aspect of my tours that is unique is that I begin each day with “The Long Conversation” that sets the stage for the day. We discuss our dreams or the previous days encounters, and then we discuss where we are about to go and what we are to experience. We read poetry out loud, listen to some music, all to create a “sacred space” for the “sacred time” we are to enjoy together. With the advent of social media, I find this is more important than ever because of everyone’s tendency to get sidetracked, lost in thought about what is going on back home – or to constantly compare the trip we are on with their previous trips. It is hard to Be Here Now when we are lost in time and space. These discussions often end up the most exhilarating part of the day. Later, we will journal on site, and take time to sketch. In Ireland, every evening we will seek out and find the most authentic Celtic music.
SEJ: Do you have a current favourite Irish writer or artist, or any recommendations for must-read or see Irish literature or art?
PC: For me James Joyce was the writer who inspired me to write, and moreover, to live the life of the writer. Most recently the poets Patrick Kavanagh and Seamus Heaney, and the novelist Edna O’Brien, are the lodestars that keep me pointing north. I offer extensive reading and movie and music lists for those who come on my tours – not in the spirit of homework, but in the spirit of deepening your experience of the culture.
SEJ: Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about this journey?
PC: There are scores and scads of tours to choose from and many of them are delightful and enjoyable. I believe in the transformative power of travel, a belief gleaned from having travelled much of the world over the last forty years, but also from massive reading – and learning from those who have taken my tours and pilgrimages. I also believe in Mark Twain’s adage that “Travel is the death of prejudice”, in the sense that we build stereotypes and worse often demonize “the other” out of ignorance, literally not knowing anything about other cultures. Personal and informing encounters help us sidestep that tendency, and make the best kind of diplomat out of soulful travellers.
A Spiral Journey into the Heart of Ireland really does capture the heart and soul of this inspiring country. The journey beautifully balances all aspects of Ireland and its unique culture, from visits to sacred sites such as Clonmacnoise, Pinnacle Holy Well, the Burren & Yeats’ Tower to meetings with invited speakers about the music, art & literature of today’s Ireland. Participants will enjoy travelling through the glorious west coast, see the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher, the culturally rich city of Galway, and spend time on the quiet and restorative Aran Islands, before moving into Northern Ireland to see the Giants Causeway and the dynamic city of Belfast. The Dublin Extension: From the Vikings to Van Morrison provides dedicated time to explore this vibrant capital city, with tea, of course, at Bewley’s and an outing to the Abbey Theatre.
“Amazing tour. Phil’s knowledge of Irish Culture, History, Mythology, Music, and Poetry were incredible. I can’t imagine a deeper, more meaningful, more impactful tour.” (A. & J. Zimmerman, Redondo Beach, CA)
A full tour itinerary can be found on our website as well as more stunning photos and a short video that perfectly capture the essence of this wonderful trip.
*There are still a few places remaining on this guaranteed departure – book now to secure your spot!*
~ Sacred Earth Journeys
