Trip 1:
SPIRIT OF IRELAND: A Healing Journey
Ruins, Runes and Tunes

Tour Host: Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D.

Tour Dates: June 15th through June 24th, 2012
**PDF Brochure Packet**

Destination: This year's trip will take us to the
Northwest corner of the Emerald Isle, including County
Donegal, County Mayo and County Galway

Various Links:

Doors of Ireland
A Taste of Celtic Magic
2011 Photo Blog
2010 Photo Blog

2012 Itinerary	Trip Costs / Details
Registration Form	Comments from 2011 Participants

Tour Theme:
Ireland is a country rich in culture, history and music, yet there is a mystical essence that cannot be described in words. It must be felt in the heart through the landscape, the music, the stories and the Celtic earth itself. It is this essence that we will capture on the Spirit of Ireland Journey. Not just a simple vacation to a pretty place, the theme of this journey is one of healing; healing the energetic ley lines (meridian points at various Celtic sacred sites, known as “faerie lines” in Ireland); helping to restore the healing energies of these sacred sites and offering compassion in action through daily meditations and reflections. We will also enjoy the beauty of the Irish culture and the spirit of Celtic traditions found in the music—LOTS of great music! The northwest region of Ireland is renowned the world over for its stunning beauty and Celtic charm. People often say that traveling to Ireland is like stepping back in time to a land steeped in rich culture, history and spirituality; a less rushed lifestyle in a magical setting, where people meet you with a smile and a twinkle in their eye. Everyone who has traveled with us on previous excursions describes this trip as a life-changing event in their lives; the memories and friendships forged will last a lifetime.


Tour Host:
Brian Luke Seaward is no stranger to the Emerald Isle, having hosted several visits and group tours (and like so many Americans, he claims Irish heritage; in this case the McNulty, and Egan clans). Seaward is an award winning photographer, and celebrated documentary filmmaker. He is also the best selling author of many books including Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, Stressed is Desserts Spelled Backward and The Art of Calm. You can visit http://www.2011spiritofireland.blogspot.com/ for his recent images of the 2011 Spirit of Ireland Journey. Brian will lead morning meditations and facilitate the healing ceremonies throughout the trip as well as document the trip with his keen photographic eye, giving each tour participant a photo-essay CD-ROM upon the completion of this magical journey.


Irish Tour Guides:
Our local (and well seasoned) guides for this Celtic healing expedition (Tom and Paddy) are nothing less than excellent. Well versed in the history, culture, spirituality, politics and music, they will extend the best Irish hospitality and wisdom of the Emerald Isle. They specialize in the “unique and authentic Irish experience,” and boy do they deliver!!!

Who Should Come:
Any and all people interested in a spiritual adventure to the Emerald Isle, specifically those who wish to travel with like-minded companions and healers interested in participating in a magical journey of Celtic spirituality, Celtic music and Celtic history. As several people have stated: “ I know that when I attend one of Seaward’s programs, I am going to becoming back to people I consider to be my family.” Many people go on vacation and take away the experience. What makes our trips unique is that we go to Ireland not only to take in the experience, but to give something back in the way of loving compassion to the earth through the sacred sites for the health and healing of the planet.. Moreover, our local tour guides are the best in Ireland and know exactly how to create the magical alchemy we desire for a most memorable experience. You don’t have to be of Irish heritage to enjoy this trip, but those who claim Irish ancestry will be smiling for years to come. Space is limited to 22 beautiful souls (with a minimum of 16 people). We are approved for 6 professional contact hours (CE’s) through the American Holistic Nurses Association. Contact us for a full PDF brochure of the 2012 trip.


Why Travel in a Group?
Group travel with professional tour guides offers many opportunities that you will not experience any other way, including an exposure to local history, culture, music and unique friendships. It’s also nice to let someone else do the driving (particularly on narrow roads where they drive on the other side of the road.) Travel can be stressful; group travel takes the stress out of foreign travel and allows you to focus on why you are there… to enjoy the entire cultural experience. And… we have one primary rule on our group trips: No Ugly Americans (no bitching!)


Some final Thoughts from Brian Luke Seaward
Not that every trip will be identical, but Oh My GOD, did we have an unbelievable time on the 2010 and 2011 trips to Ireland. First, our tour guides were simply the best! The weather was wonderful (it only rained one day). We were warned about the bland food, but since Ireland is now part of the European Community, a lot of chefs from other parts of the EU have taken the Irish cuisine up about 50 pegs (possibly 60). Did I mention the music? Ireland keeps its culture alive with its music, traditional and otherwise. And we saw/heard some of the best! Our guides arranged private concerts and trips to local pubs with THE best traditional Irish music. Oh yeah, did I mention the scenery? Last year we focused on the Southwestern corner of Ireland, including the Dingle Peninsula, one of the prettiest places on the planet. Always magical were the sacred sites, including the Stone Circle at Drombeg, the Ancient Monasteries and churches built on sacred sites, and the sacred feminine spirit that was so prevalent before Christianity is making a comeback (it has to!) —all of which was nothing less than magical. I could go on and on, but perhaps the photos on the photoblog can show what my words fail to capture. http://www.2011spiritofireland.blogspot.com/