NATCHEZ — St. Mary Basilica officials are planning a spring break trip in March for Cathedral School students.

After meeting two school groups from the United States in Ireland, his home country, in July 2014, the Rev. David O’Connor, canonical supervisor of Cathedral School, decided to explore the possibility of  organizing a tour for Cathedral sophomores, juniors and seniors during spring break 2015.

O’Connor said the group will depart on Saturday, March 7, and will return on Sunday, March 15.

“I see a great value in educational trips to Europe for high school students and want to encourage students and their families to consider this trip to Ireland,” O’Connor said. “In future years (perhaps, every year or every two years), if there is an interest in this, I would like to see students have the opportunity of traveling  to Rome, London, Paris, Vienne, Krakow, Prague, etc.”

O’Connor said the 2015 Spring trip will include educational and cultural places in Ireland including a visit to the pre-historic monument of Newgrange built during the Neolithic period around 3200 B.C., a visit to Trinity College (founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth) to view the Ninth Century Book of Kells, a visit to the 12th Century St. Patrick Cathedral and a visit to the monastic setting of St. Kevin founded in the sixth century in Glendalough. The trip will also include a visit to the University of Limerick and two high schools.

“To meet the social needs of the group we will travel the picturesque Ring of Kerry and will view the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren,” O’Connor said. “The group will be introduced to Irish sports, make a ferry trip on the River Shannon, and stay in four star hotels with breakfast and dinner each day included in the cost.”

The trip is limited to high school sophomores, juniors and seniors and at least one parent or/and teacher for every two or three students. The minimum number for the trip to materialize is 25 people. It is necessary for these to have registered and paid their deposit, which is $300, by Thursday, Nov. 14.

The cost of the trip per person, which totals $2,475, includes the flight from New Orleans to Ireland and return, hotels, breakfast and dinner each day, entrance fees and gratuities, luxury coach and professional driver.

For more information and/or make a reservation, please contact Cara Group Travel at 617-639-0273 or by email at bookings@caragrouptravel.com.

O’Connor, who will lead the group, is available for consultation at 601 445-5616.