Page 153 - Guerin Media Ltd | Active Retirement Ireland Members Annual 2016
P. 153
PILGRIM PATHS IRELAND TRAVEL
Some of Ireland’s favourite Bus Eireann in conjunction with Translink Northern Ireland
Pilgrim Routes operate a regular service to Lough Derg during the Three-Day
Pilgrimage Season each year from various towns and cities
“Everywhere the path of the pilgrim is twofold external as throughout Ireland and Northern Ireland.
well as internal, the simultaneous movement of the feet
Lough Derg, Pettigo, Donegal, Republic of Ireland
and the soul through time as well as space” T: +353(0)719861518
F: +353(0)719861518
BRIGID’S WAY E: info@loughderg.org
Brigid’s Way is an alignment of ancient and sacred sites in
Ireland which stretches from Brigid’s Well in Faughart, County TÓCHAR PHÁDRAIG, CO. MAYO
Louth to Kildare. The route passes through some beautiful Route: from Ballintubber Abbey to Croagh Patrick
and sacred Irish landscapes from Dundalk to Kildare. This Distance: 35 kilometres (22 miles)
alignment of sacred sites reflects the Cygnus (Swan) At Tóchar Phádraig, pilgrims must register at Ballintubber
constellation which was prominent in the skies at the time Abbey, visit their website at www.ballintubberabbey.ie
of Brigid’s birth in the 5th Century AD and is its reflection The longest of the surviving pilgrimage roads is the Tóchar
on earth of a heavenly configuration. It may have formed an Phádraig, which leads to Croagh Patrick, the site of
ancient “sightline”, pointing out the place on the north ern St Patrick’s first legendary battle with the devil’s mother and
horizon where the cross-shaped swan constellation (Cygnus) a flock of demon birds. On the last Sunday in July, around
was rising in ancient times. 30,000 pilgrims gather from all over Ireland to climb the Reek,
as the holy mountain is known locally. In ancient times, the
“Bridgit Mary of the Gaels, beneath your mantle there is a Reek was approached from the east, and the route begins at
pathway hallowed by pilgrims throught the centuries leading to the Augustinian Abbey of Ballintubber.
In all probability, the pilgrimage goes back to pagan times,
the eternal kingdom”. and it has been suggested that the route originally led from
For more details on this route see www.bridgitsway.ie Cruachan, the seat of the prehistoric kings of Connaght. One
possible indication of the pre-Christian origins of the road
LOUGH DERG, ST. PATRICK’S PURGATORY is a large boulder at Boheh. Known as St Patrick’s Chair, it is
Lough Derg, or St Patrick’s Purgatory as it is traditionally decorated with small circular hollows known as cup marks
known as, is Ireland’s most ancient place of pilgrimage and is and probably dates from the Bronze Age.
situated on Station Island, near the small village of Pettigo, Founded in 1216 and refurbished in the 1960s, Ballintubber
County Donegal. Abbey is one of the finest examples of the Romanesque style
St Patrick’s Purgatory, Lough Derg, is a unique island of peace. of architecture known as ‘the School of the West’. The route
Pilgrims have been travelling to this sacred site on Station continues for many miles, passing through Aghagower where
Island, County Donegal, for centuries on a spiritual quest or there is a round tower, a holy well, St Patrick’s Bed and his
journey seeking something deeper, getting closer to their ‘Bath’. Soil from the base of the sacred tree by the bath is said
authentic selves, and continuing a ritualistic tradition of their to have curative powers.
ancestors. The road from Ballintubber was cleared by local
Lough Derg is the perfect haven to truly get away from the initiative — in the process, a number of stone flags came to
daily grind. Stunning scenery and soothing surroundings allow light, which must have belonged to the Tóchar Phádraig. At
visitors to reflect and mediate on their life’s journey. The small Lankill, a raised stone altar with a small cross-inscribed stone
island set in calm lake waters, offers no distractions, artificial- on top of it and an adjacent pillar stone probably date from
ities or interruptions. Instead, visitors and pilgrims are warmly the Early Christian Era. A nearby holy well is attributed to St
welcomed and cared for. Brendan.
The first sanctuary of St Patrick, Lough Derg has offered
rest and growth to generations of visitors from Ireland and Further information about the route is available from
beyond. It offers an opportunity to be part of an Irish tradition Ballintubber Abbey, visit www.ballintubberabbey.ie
that has spanned centuries, bringing with it an opportunity
for calm, hope and for renewal. They welcome visitors to enjoy or call (094) 30934.
their day retreats, tailored workshops, faith-based seminars,
family focused events and special events. COSÁN NA NAOMH, CO. KERRY
Visitors can discover a new way to relax, unwind and explore Route: From Ventry Strand to the foot of Brandon Mountain, Co. Kerry
their spirituality. Whether it’s a holiday, a break from the norm Distance: 18 kilometres (11 miles)
or looking for something more, the ancient sanctuary of St Recommended Ordnance Survey Map:1:50,000 Discovery Series Sheet 70
Patrick’s Purgatory, Lough Derg is the perfect place to start. The tradition of pilgrimage to Brandon Mountain dates back
to the earliest times, before the pagan deity Crom Dubh was
www.activeirl.ie reputedly ousted from the mountain by the great St Brendan
Active Retirement Ireland 153
Some of Ireland’s favourite Bus Eireann in conjunction with Translink Northern Ireland
Pilgrim Routes operate a regular service to Lough Derg during the Three-Day
Pilgrimage Season each year from various towns and cities
“Everywhere the path of the pilgrim is twofold external as throughout Ireland and Northern Ireland.
well as internal, the simultaneous movement of the feet
Lough Derg, Pettigo, Donegal, Republic of Ireland
and the soul through time as well as space” T: +353(0)719861518
F: +353(0)719861518
BRIGID’S WAY E: info@loughderg.org
Brigid’s Way is an alignment of ancient and sacred sites in
Ireland which stretches from Brigid’s Well in Faughart, County TÓCHAR PHÁDRAIG, CO. MAYO
Louth to Kildare. The route passes through some beautiful Route: from Ballintubber Abbey to Croagh Patrick
and sacred Irish landscapes from Dundalk to Kildare. This Distance: 35 kilometres (22 miles)
alignment of sacred sites reflects the Cygnus (Swan) At Tóchar Phádraig, pilgrims must register at Ballintubber
constellation which was prominent in the skies at the time Abbey, visit their website at www.ballintubberabbey.ie
of Brigid’s birth in the 5th Century AD and is its reflection The longest of the surviving pilgrimage roads is the Tóchar
on earth of a heavenly configuration. It may have formed an Phádraig, which leads to Croagh Patrick, the site of
ancient “sightline”, pointing out the place on the north ern St Patrick’s first legendary battle with the devil’s mother and
horizon where the cross-shaped swan constellation (Cygnus) a flock of demon birds. On the last Sunday in July, around
was rising in ancient times. 30,000 pilgrims gather from all over Ireland to climb the Reek,
as the holy mountain is known locally. In ancient times, the
“Bridgit Mary of the Gaels, beneath your mantle there is a Reek was approached from the east, and the route begins at
pathway hallowed by pilgrims throught the centuries leading to the Augustinian Abbey of Ballintubber.
In all probability, the pilgrimage goes back to pagan times,
the eternal kingdom”. and it has been suggested that the route originally led from
For more details on this route see www.bridgitsway.ie Cruachan, the seat of the prehistoric kings of Connaght. One
possible indication of the pre-Christian origins of the road
LOUGH DERG, ST. PATRICK’S PURGATORY is a large boulder at Boheh. Known as St Patrick’s Chair, it is
Lough Derg, or St Patrick’s Purgatory as it is traditionally decorated with small circular hollows known as cup marks
known as, is Ireland’s most ancient place of pilgrimage and is and probably dates from the Bronze Age.
situated on Station Island, near the small village of Pettigo, Founded in 1216 and refurbished in the 1960s, Ballintubber
County Donegal. Abbey is one of the finest examples of the Romanesque style
St Patrick’s Purgatory, Lough Derg, is a unique island of peace. of architecture known as ‘the School of the West’. The route
Pilgrims have been travelling to this sacred site on Station continues for many miles, passing through Aghagower where
Island, County Donegal, for centuries on a spiritual quest or there is a round tower, a holy well, St Patrick’s Bed and his
journey seeking something deeper, getting closer to their ‘Bath’. Soil from the base of the sacred tree by the bath is said
authentic selves, and continuing a ritualistic tradition of their to have curative powers.
ancestors. The road from Ballintubber was cleared by local
Lough Derg is the perfect haven to truly get away from the initiative — in the process, a number of stone flags came to
daily grind. Stunning scenery and soothing surroundings allow light, which must have belonged to the Tóchar Phádraig. At
visitors to reflect and mediate on their life’s journey. The small Lankill, a raised stone altar with a small cross-inscribed stone
island set in calm lake waters, offers no distractions, artificial- on top of it and an adjacent pillar stone probably date from
ities or interruptions. Instead, visitors and pilgrims are warmly the Early Christian Era. A nearby holy well is attributed to St
welcomed and cared for. Brendan.
The first sanctuary of St Patrick, Lough Derg has offered
rest and growth to generations of visitors from Ireland and Further information about the route is available from
beyond. It offers an opportunity to be part of an Irish tradition Ballintubber Abbey, visit www.ballintubberabbey.ie
that has spanned centuries, bringing with it an opportunity
for calm, hope and for renewal. They welcome visitors to enjoy or call (094) 30934.
their day retreats, tailored workshops, faith-based seminars,
family focused events and special events. COSÁN NA NAOMH, CO. KERRY
Visitors can discover a new way to relax, unwind and explore Route: From Ventry Strand to the foot of Brandon Mountain, Co. Kerry
their spirituality. Whether it’s a holiday, a break from the norm Distance: 18 kilometres (11 miles)
or looking for something more, the ancient sanctuary of St Recommended Ordnance Survey Map:1:50,000 Discovery Series Sheet 70
Patrick’s Purgatory, Lough Derg is the perfect place to start. The tradition of pilgrimage to Brandon Mountain dates back
to the earliest times, before the pagan deity Crom Dubh was
www.activeirl.ie reputedly ousted from the mountain by the great St Brendan
Active Retirement Ireland 153
