Brigid’s Way Celtic Pilgrimage – June 27th to July 5th 2015
Come and join us on Brigid´s Way this Summer, as we walk in celebration from the place of Brigid´s birth in Faughart, Dundalk to her monastery in Kildare.
Below is the schedule for the full pilgrimage.
You are invited to join us for all 9 days OR just 1 day, a weekend OR as many days as you can. You can book by clicking here – http://www.brigidsway.ie/booking.html. If you have any questions about the pilgrimage, please contact us – info@brigidsway.ie.
People who join the walk for a single day tend to come for either the first or the final day, though are welcome on any day. You could also join us for one or two of the weekends.
Accommodation and Food
Accommodation is in B&B/small hotels/self catered apartments except on July 2nd when there is the option for those who desire to camp out under the stars in Donadea Forest Park. Lunch may sometimes be pre-ordered from cafes/caterers and sometimes is bought from shops/cafes on the road; dinner is usually taken as a group and we make reservations at local restaurants on behalf of the group, we will let you know the meal schedule in the joining instructions that you will receive a couple of weeks before arrival. Full details of costs and more information about accommodation can be found by clicking here – http://www.brigidsway.ie/costings.html.
Ceremony and Prayer on the Pilgrimage
Each morning on the pilgrimage, we have a group warm-up and short prayerful meditation to set the intention for the day. We have a theme for the pilgrimage each day to loosely guide the spiritual practice. We have some scheduled ceremonies, all of which are optional to participate in, though we intend that all ceremonies on the pilgrimage are welcoming to people with a belief in a vibrant spiritual life, be that in the context of an organised religion or not. Celebrants include ordained Catholics, Interfaith Ministers and other leading spiritual teachers in Ireland. There will be opportunities for facilitated group sharing of experiences, particularly for those who are joining the pilgrimage for more than a couple of days, though all who want to participate in the sessions are welcome. The timing of the group sharing sessions will depend on how the energy is flowing as we walk.
Brigid’s Way is not an austere pilgrimage, there is much space for sharing and celebration. There will be drivers who can pick you up if you need to, there is no need to suffer. Large pieces of luggage can be driven from one accommodation provider to the next. People make connection through conversation on the pilgrimage and that is to be celebrated. For those who choose, there will be ample opportunity for quiet reflection and prayer while walking on the pilgrimage and we invite people to take quiet space to reflect inwardly when they need to. There will be a clearly defined sign (to be explained on the pilgrimage) when somebody wants space to walk alone for prayer, which we ask all pilgrims to respect by holding conversations a respectful distance from those who want quiet time.
Schedule
JUNE 26th – DAY BEFORE
We highly recommend that all pilgrims walking for 9 days with us come to the Dundalk area for the orientation meeting in the evening on 26th June. We can arrange accommodation for you as part of the booking process.
DAY 1 – JUNE 27th – FAUGHART to DUNDALK
WALK: Launch of the Brigid’s Way Pilgrimage at FAUGHART WELL via Sally Cox’s Land, part of the ancient pathway to DUNDALK TOWN. Total walking 9.6km 6 miles approx. A leisurely walk in 2 sections. Click here for more route information.
THEME & HIGHLIGHTS: Embracing the pilgrim path. Blessing and prayer ceremony at Brigid’s Well and Shrine at Faughart. Talks from local historians. Hospitality from local community groups. Brigid’s Ancient Trail off load on local farmland.
DAY 2 – JUNE 28th DUNDALK TO ARDEE
WALK: DUNDALK to ARDEE with stops at KNOCKBRIDGE, LOUTH VILLAGE and TALLANSTOWN. Total walking 21.6 km 13.5 miles approx. Click here for more route information.
THEME & HIGHLIGHTS: Introspection. Meeting the lands of Myth and Legend at Cuchulainn’s Stone. Knockbridge Church with Brigid Stained Glass Window and prayers at Cillin in the cemetary dedicated to infants. Community Garden at Tallanstown.
DAY 3 – JUNE 29th ARDEE TO SLANE
WALK: ARDEE via SMARMORE and GRANGEGEETH to the HILL of SLANE finishing at the River Boyne Bridge for collection to accommodation. Total walking 21 km 13.4 miles. Click here for more route information.
THEME & HIGHLIGHTS: Perseverence. A joyous route for walking! Reflections and prayers on the tragedy of the Great Famine at the Famine Stone. Meeting another pilgrimage in ceremony on the Hill of Slane. Meeting the Great River Boyne.
DAY 4 – JUNE 30th SLANE to TARA
WALK: Walk SLANE via HAYSTOWN, BROWNSTOWN, REALTOG and WALTERSTOWN CHURCH to SKREEN CASTLE and TARA. Total walking 19.7km 12.3 miles approx. Click here for more route information.
THEME & HIGHLIGHTS: Approaching Sovreignty. Optional visit to Newgrange. Accommodation (B&B/Self Catering but NOT camping) available on the Hill of Tara. Time for private reflection in the evening on the Hill of Tara. Low key hospitality from community groups.
DAY 5 – JULY 1st TARA TO MOYNALVEY (near KILCOCK)
WALK: TARA via DUNSANY Cross Roads to MOYNALVEY. Total Walking 16km 10 miles approx. Click here for more route information.
THEME & HIGHLIGHTS: Moving Towards Our Destiny. Time for private reflection in the early morning on the Hill of Tara. Facilitated group ceremony at sacred sites on the Hill of Tara. Dunsany Church with Brigid Stained Glass window. Local craic at Fagan’s Pub. Accommodation (B&B/Self Catering but NOT camping) available on the Hill of Tara. Group celebration and (weather permitting) special permission for a fireside storytelling, singing and sharing on the Hill of Tara.
DAY 6 – JULY 2nd MOYNALVEY to DONADEA FOREST PARK
WALK: MOYNALVEY to DONADEA FOREST PARK via KILCOCK. Total Walking 20km 12.5 miles approx. Click here for more route information.
THEME & HIGHLIGHTS: Threshold. Brideswell at Kilcock. Donadea Forest Feast organised by local community. Moonlight ceremony, sharing and reflections. Optional camping out in Donadea Forest Park (B&Bs also available).
DAY 7 – JULY 3rd DONADEA FOREST TO ROBERTSTOWN via the CANAL
WALK: DONADEA FOREST PARK via PROSPEROUS to ROBERTSTOWN. Total Walking 16 km 10 miles approx.Click here for more route information.
THEME & HIGHLIGHTS: Enchantment, Wonder, Beauty. Guided walk around Donadea Forest Park, including ancient section of Brigid’s trail, 911 memorial and historical information. Approximately half of the walk is along peaceful canal towpaths.
DAY 8 – JULY 4th ROBERTSTOWN to MILLTOWN via the CANAL
WALK: ROBERTSTOWN to MILLTOWN via the Royal Canal. Total Walking 13km 8 miles approx. Click here for more route information.
THEME & HIGHLIGHTS: Going Deeper. A beautiful day of walking entirely along the canal with optional swimming opportunities.
DAY 9 – JULY 5th POLLARDSTOWN FEN to KILDARE MONASTIC CITY
WALK: Walk from POLLARDSTOWN FEN via RATHBRIDE and the CURRAGH into KILDARE. Total Walking 10 km 6 miles approx. Click here for more route information.
THEME & HIGHLIGHTS: Coming Home to Brigid’s Hearth. Pollardstown Fen Nature Reserve. The Curragh. Ceremonies at Rathbride Healing Stone, Brigid’s Fire Temple & Cathedral and Brigid’s Wells. Hospitality from the Brigidine Sisters and team at the Solas Bhríde Centre.
DAY 10 – July 6th – Travel home.
Costings
The organisational, porterage (luggage transfer between accommodation venues) and facilitation fee for each day is €25, if we are arranging accomodation for you. If you are joining us for a single day of the walk, we ask you to simply make a donation on the day (suggested donation €15 per adult, €25 per couple or family).
The bed & breakfasts (B&Bs)/small hotel costs vary from €25 to €35 per person sharing in twin/double rooms each night. Single rooms can vary from €35-70 per night. If you are coming alone, you can book a single room or a twin/triple room and we’ll match you to other pilgrims of your own sex. You will need to pay for your accommodation directly to the B&B/hotel during your stay at their establishment.
For the first time, we will be offering camping as an option (optional – only for pilgrims who may enjoy this, B&B/hotel options will be available) for the night we are in Donadea Forest Park – 2nd July. We will provide all tents, bedding, mattresses, sleeping bag liners for your use. We will confirm the cost for the accommodation for 2nd July in late April 2015. If you book sooner, we will give you a chance to amend your booking when the final prices and options are available.
The evening meal in either the hotel or local restaurants varies from €13 – €20 per meal. Lunch will often be bought at local shops on the trail. Sometimes, there will be packed lunches costing €5 and will typically include a sandwich, juice and a piece of fruit. We will provide a lunch schedule with your joining instructions to help you plan, especially if you have dietary requirements.
For full list of accommodation costs, click here – http://www.brigidsway.ie/costings.html.
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Come, walk in Brigid´s footsteps. To book your place on Brigid´s Celtic Way pilgrimage, from one day, a weekend or more days, please click here – http://www.brigidsway.ie/booking.html. (copy link text and place in your browser address bar if links do not work, it is usually a pop-up blocker causing the problem).
