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THIS EASTER WEEKEND, people are being encouraged to trace their ancestral heritage and Ireland’s heritage on the country’s pilgrim paths.
Pilgrim Paths Week, which will take place from March 31 – April 8, is often called Ireland’s Camino – but rather than involving one long walk, it involves a number of walks across the country.
People are being encouraged to walk one or even a few of the penitential trail paths.
Knowledgeable local guides will lead each walk, allow time for personal contemplation, outline the story of the route and explain how medieval penitents coped with their arduous journeys.
Chairman of Pilgrim Paths Ireland, John G O’Dwyer explained about the event:
National Pilgrim Paths Week was created to raise awareness and use of Ireland’s rich inheritance of pilgrim routes. The event is targeted, not only at those who enjoy exploring Ireland’s ancient tracks, but also the growing numbers seeking to escape the daily grind of life and take time out to reflect and meditate a little while enjoying the outdoors. Pilgrim Paths Week 2018 has already attracted much local support while also appealing also to overseas pilgrims.
O’Dwyer said that the medieval pilgrimage was originally a journey combining prayer and sacrifice – with an element of physical discomfort.
Recently, there has been a renewed interest in following the footsteps of medieval pilgrims, and over the last number of years Ireland’s penitential trails have echoed to increasing footfall.
O’Dwyer previously told TheJournal.ie that the paths are not just for religious people.
“They are from the time before the Reformation, when everybody was Christian. We are a non-denominational organisation – we make the paths available to people of any religion, anyone can take anything from it,” he said.
Pilgrim walks are scheduled to take place at each of Ireland’s Pilgrim Paths including:
There’s also a new pilgrim passport for Ireland that will be available during Pilgrim Paths Week events taking place on:
The passport means that walkers can travel 125km of Ireland’s medieval paths and then receive a teastas oilithreachta, (completion certificate) from Ballintubber Abbey, Co Mayo.
To find out more about National Pilgrim Paths Week, visit the website or email info@pilgrimpath.ie
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Even people in ancient societies, Christian or otherwise, had to periodically take time out so as not to develop rut thinking which makes life stale. It is not necessarily for everyone but places like Lough Derg with its mild form of physical challenges does break a person down and perhaps spark a person out of apathy or some issue that has taken up a lost of their time.
Going for a long walk does make a difference as the person comes back from a walk is not often the same person who began it as it does clear the head but such is one side spirituality even if society forgot it.
I wouldn’t walk these paths in case people mistake me for a religious person
@Sean O Sullivan: A slayer t-shirt & a witchdoctors rattle will sort that. The views on the Kerry walk are incredible.
@Sean O Sullivan: or people might notice the massive chip on your shoulder about religion . Ffs! Who gives a sh!t
@lochinvar56: ooh have i upset some religitards
Cars are constantly being broken into at Wicklow car parks. The councils need to put in parking attendants. Motorists would happily pay.
Pilgrimage to the pub on Good Friday, get in!
Pilgrim’s Path to and over Slieve League, in Donegal, not listed here, including the One Man Pass, is my favourite, but I do not have the head for One Man Pass myself. Still beautiful and quite a walk before that pass anyway. Surprised there is not a more established walk around Gartan and Doon Rock as a Columcille Pilgrimage in Donegal … but the 15 station Columcille Pilgrimage walk at Glencolomcille should be listed, very popular. Takes over 3 hours to complete, so not a multi day walk … though could be if Gartan was included.
You just never know what you will experience when you start on a pilgrim path but it will change you in ways that you may not expect. I have walked the Camino twice, the first time in 1992 starting in St Jean Pied le Port. I was alone at a time when the number of pilgrims were few and very far between. The most valuable experience for me was that despite many obstacles I found the courage to achieve my goal and secondly it is vital that you take one day at a time, do not look forward, do not give in to the temptation to envisage how little you have done and how far you still have to travel. Keep a diary. Thanks to the experience I now know that when things are tough I will with patience and staying power get through.
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