NATCHEZ – Father David O’Connor, pastor of St. Mary Basilica and Assumption Parish, will lead a 10-day trip to Northern Ireland, Scotland and England in June. He said the group will depart from Jackson
International Airport for Dublin, Ireland, on Monday, June 22, and will return from Manchester, England, Airport on July 1.
The trip includes eight nights, seven of which will be in four-star hotels and one in an Irish castle. The overnight stays will be in Cabra Castle (1), Belfast (2), Glasgow (2), Edinburgh (2) and Manchester (1). The tour will include a full breakfast each day and dinner on six of the evenings. The group will travel in the same luxury motor coach from the time of arrival in Dublin until departure from Manchester with the same professional tour guide.
Father O’Connor said, “I will be with the group throughout the tour of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Manchester. I will introduce the group members to the history, natural beauty and cultures of the areas we visit. I have visited these areas previously but I have not led a group to any of these areas. Our initial plan is for a group of approximately 30 people. About half that number have already indicated an interest. My hope is that those who decide to travel on this trip will return home with life-long memories and countless moments to savor from the trip.”
The sightseeing will include dinner and overnight in an Irish castle, a tour of historic Belfast, the UNESCO World heritage site – Giants Causeway – and the nine glens of Antrim. The group and luxury coach will cross by ferry from Belfast to Scotland and spend two nights in Glasgow where the group will see George Square and the 14th century cathedral. Glasgow is a city with divided loyalties to its two great soccer teams – Rangers and Celtics. From that location the group will cruise in Loch Lomond, sightsee in the Scottish Highlands and visit Stirling Castle.
The group will then travel to one of Europe’s most historic and cultural cities – Edinburgh –  where they will spend two nights. On the way, they will visit Rosslyn Chapel, famed for its carvings and the aura of mystery and magic that surrounds it. This chapel is featured in the “Da Vinci Code” movie and book. Overnight accommodation will be in central Edinburgh. Sightseeing will include a drive along the bustling Prince Street, and the streets of the 200-year-old Georgina New Town. It will also include a visit to Edinburgh Castle, which dominates the city and contains the Scottish Crown Jewels.
After breakfast on the final day, the group will travel southwards across the border into England and travel through what is known as the “Lake District” and the “Yorkshire Dales.” The group will have its final dinner together in Manchester.
Father O’Connor added, “Cara Travel Services is always willing to make special arrangements for individuals who want to travel one or more days before the group departure, or who might want to remain for additional days at the end of the trip.”
The package price, including airfare from Jackson, is $3,399 per person. Further information on the tour is available on the St. Mary website (www.stmarybasilica.org) and at: info@caragrouptravel.com or by calling Sara at Cara Travel Service 617-639-0273.