• Celtic Christianity Tour

    Celtic Christianity Tour

    An exceptional and comprehensive journey following the roots of Christianity.

  • Celtic Christianity Tour

    Celtic Christianity Tour

    An exceptional and comprehensive journey following the roots of Christianity.

  • Celtic Christianity Tour

    Celtic Christianity Tour

    An exceptional and comprehensive journey following the roots of Christianity.

Celtic Christianity Tour - Ireland, Scotland & England

Celtic Christianity refers to a distinctive spirituality and specific practices which took root among Celtic peoples during the earlier Middle Ages, which spread across Ireland, Scotland and England and which encouraged an emphasis on monastic life.

Highlights

  • Dublin, to see the Cathedral, next to where St Patrick baptised his converts; Trinity College and the Old Library, home to the Book of Kells.
  • The fascinating monastery and monastic community at Glendalough, inspired by an angel.
  • National Museum of Ireland, featuring folklore and ecclesiastical artefacts.
  • Mysterious Newgrange with its ancient burial chamber, reportedly the burial ground for the High Kings.
  • Hill of Tara, the ancient seat of the pagan High Kings and Monasterboice, a monastic site founded by St. Buithe.
  • The ancient capital of Ulster, the 2 opposing St Patrick's Cathedrals and St. Patrick Trian Visitor Complex.
  • Whithorn, Scotland's earliest recorded Christian settlement and priory museum.
  • Glasgow, founded by St Mungo in the 6th century and Glasgow Cathedral, including the St Mungo Museum of World Religion. 
  • Iona, a small isle of the Inner Hebrides and the heart of Celtic Christianity in Scotland when St Columba landed in AD563. The story of Celtic Christianity and the history of the abbey, where many Scottish kings were buried, including Macbeth.
  • Edinburgh, to see the Palace of Holyroodhouse or Edinburgh Castle. The Museum of Scotland featuring exhibits relating to the country's early saints and the influence of pilgrimage on Scottish religious life.
  • Rosslyn Chapel, a small church made famous by Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code.
  • The ruins of Melrose Abbey on the Scottish Borders.
  • The Holy Island of Lindisfarne, a place of spirituality and scenic beauty. Enjoy a guided tour and explore the priory and Lindisfarne Centre.
  • Anglo-Saxon monastery of Wearmouth-Jarrow, where St Bede wrote the Life of St Cuthbert,
    and the churches of St Peter and St Paul.
  • Bede's World and the 'Age of Bede' exhibition of artefacts excavated from monastery sites.
  • Durham Cathedral, where monks from Lindisfarne hid St Cuthbert's body from pillaging Vikings, St Cuthbert's tomb and the remains of St Bede. Evensong at Durham Cathedral.
  • Whitby and the ruins of St Hilda's Abbey, where the King of Northumbria called a Synod to resolve the conflict between the Ionian and Roman churches.
Celtic Roundhouse at Whithorn

Photo credits: 

Slideshow: Tomb of the Venerable Bede in Durham Cathedral;  Iona Abbey © Historic Environment Scotland; St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin.

Photos to the right of the tour: Celtic roundhouse at Whithorn; Whitby Abbey © English Heritage.

  • Tours International paid careful attention to our tour details, providing amenities which often exceeded our expectations; city centre hotels, marvellous meals and a wonderfully capable and knowledgeable guide.

Celtic Roundhouse at Whithorn Whitby Abbey Make an enquiry