Each month Golden Ireland features a region or holiday activity that we hope you will find of interest. For January, we look a the Pilgrim Paths - a project developed by the Heritage Council of Ireland.

St. Patrick, Lough Derg

Photo courtesy of the Heritage Council of Ireland

The medieval pilgrimage was originally a journey that combined prayer, sacrifice and devotion — with an element of physical discomfort — by which the pilgrim could become closer to God. It also fulfilled many of the functions of a modern holiday — a change of scene and a time to make room for something above and beyond the daily grind. Walking these ancient ways not only offers the opportunity for spiritual renewal, but also provides us with a link to our past. The Pilgrim Paths Project was set up by the Heritage Council in 1997 and has developed these routes for the enjoyment of modern walkers and pilgrims alike.

When all seven routes are completed, the Pilgrim Paths will include:

    •    Cosán na Naomh — on the Dingle Peninsula, Co. Kerry
    •    St Kevin’s Way — from Hollywood to Glendalough, Co. Wicklow
    •    Lough Derg — a route to the shore opposite Saints Island, Co. Donegal
    •    St Declan’s Way — from Ardmore to Lismore, Co. Waterford
    •    Pilgrim Path — from Ballycumber to Clonmacnoise, Co. Offaly
    •    Tóchar Phádraig — from Ballintubber to the foot of Croagh Patrick, Co. Mayo
    •    Turas – within the valley of Glencholmcille, Co. Donegal

Please click on the hyperlinks for further information.

Open Routes

Three of these routes have been completed and are open officially for walking — Cosán na Naomh, St Kevin’s Way and Lough Derg. They were developed by local route committees to the standards required by the National Waymarked Ways Committee (NWWAC) and are dependent on the good-will of local landowners.

Other Routes

    •    At Tóchar Phádraig, pilgrims must register at Ballintubber Abbey.
    •    Turas in Glencholmcille is an active religious activity and is run on a seasonal basis.
    •   
Routes to be completed

    •    The Pilgrim Path to Clonmacnoise should be completed within the next few years.
    •    Work has not started on St Declan’s Way.

Map Guides

Comprehensive map guides for Cosán na Naomh, St Kevin’s Way and Lough Derg have been produced by the Heritage Council (€6 – €8) and are available by phoning (056) 7770777, Website: www.heritagecouncil.com. These illustrated, full-colour guides give practical and navigational details, as well as indicating items of heritage interest along the route. Map guides should be used in conjunction with the relevant Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 Discovery series maps.

Signage


The Pilgrim Paths are waymarked by black markers showing the yellow pilgrim symbol with directional arrows. Where the route joins or leaves a public road, there is a brown fingerpost with the name of the route and the pilgrim symbol. At the start and finish, and in villages along the route, there are map boards showing the whole path.

Safety


The Pilgrim Paths follow quiet roads, country paths or tracks, with very few dangers. However, walkers are reminded that the Irish weather is changeable —  and a twisted ankle can be a real problem if you are a few miles from a public road. Stout shoes or walking boots are recommended, as are spare, warm clothes and windproof and rainproof gear. Walk with care on public roads and beware of reckless drivers. Keep to the right-hand side of the road and walk against the traffic flow. Please note that pilgrims and walkers are responsible for their own safety while walking the paths.

Access

Wherever it leaves the public road, a Pilgrim Path is not a right-of-way — it crosses private property by courtesy of the landowner. Please respect the generosity of the landowner, who may withdraw permission if users of the route create difficulties for farming or other work.
    •    Do not bring dogs, even on a lead, on any section of the route that crosses farmland.
    •    The routes are designed for pilgrims on foot and, apart from stretches on the public road, are unsuitable for horses and mountain bikes.
    •    Pilgrim Paths cannot offer wheelchair access.
    •    Pilgrim Paths pass by many fragile heritage sites of great value — take great care that these are not damaged in any way.
    •    REMEMBER: LEAVE NO TRACE!
    •   
Large Groups

Although group pilgrimages are traditional to Ireland, research has shown that large numbers of walkers passing through the countryside cause erosion and damage to walking routes. For environmental and safety reasons, group size should be limited to ten and should not exceed fifteen.
For further information on safe and environmentally sustainable walking, see the Mountaineering Council of Ireland’s website: www.mountaineering.ie