It is us against the elements in a surreal, timeless realm, writes John G O’Dwyer It’s Easter, and I’m among a group at a Cistercian monastery in Co Waterford. A moody day of frowning skies, watery light and no birdsong doesn’t, however, dampen our collective enthusiasm. We’re mostly strangers...
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Illustrated Talk on Ireland’s Pilgrim Passport
Illustrated Talk on Ireland’s Pilgrim Passport On Friday, April 15th, John G O’ Dwyer, (author of the first guidebook to Ireland’s pilgrim paths ) will give an illustrated talk on Ireland’s newly launched Pilgrim Passport. The event will begin at 9.15pm on Friday April 15th in the Sneem Hotel,...
Easter festival to Focus on Retracing Christian Pilgrim Paths – Irish Examiner
Easter festival to Focus on Retracing Christian Pilgrim Paths – Irish Examiner A new Easter festival envisages thousands of people retracing their ancestral christian heritage on Ireland’s ancient pilgrim paths. The country boasts a series of traditional holy trails throughout Munster, Connacht, and Leinster. From March 22-29 has been...
A Walk for the Weekend: Irish Times Feature
A Walk for the Weekend: Pilgrim Paths to Higher Ground Follow in the ageless echo of medieval penitents, writes John G O’Dwyer Celebrating Ireland’s dense network of penitential tracks, Pilgrim Paths Week is a new, non-denominational Easter festival that urges us to get into the Irish countryside and follow...
Ireland’s Pilgrim Paths Slideshow & Lecture – Ardmayle Church
Ireland’s Pilgrim Paths Slideshow & Lecture – Ardmayle Church John G O’Dwyer writes for the Irish Times and has written the first guidebook to Ireland’s Medieval Pilgrim Paths. John will give a lecture and slideshow on his exploration of these ancient trails titled “Walking Through History” in Ardmayle church...
Pilgrim Paths AGM – November 2015
Pilgrim Paths AGM – November 2015 This photo shows members of the Steering Group for Pilgrim Paths Ireland attending the annual general meeting in Nenagh on November 2nd 2015. The principal proposal adopted was the extension Pilgrims Paths Day into National Pilgrim Paths Week which will take place next...
Why are pilgrim walks popular again? – Irish Times, October 10th
After years of underuse, many of Ireland’s pilgrim paths are being reopened. In our secular western world, why do people still embark on such journeys? By John G. O’Dwyer After generations of slumber, many of the pilgrim paths of Ireland are reawakening. Some of Europe’s oldest penitential walkways –...
Pilgrim Paths Week, March 22nd – 29th, 2016
National Pilgrim Paths Week – Easter Saturday, March 22nd – 29th, 2016 Ireland’s third annual National Pilgrim Paths Event will take place over a week for the first time ever. The celebrations will take place over the Easter holiday period from Tuesday March 22nd to Tuesday March 29th 2016. There will be a nationwide series of...
National Pilgrim Paths Day features on RTE Radio 1 History Show
National Pilgrim Paths Day features on RTE Radio 1 History Show National Pilgrim Paths day 2015 features on the History Show on RTE One Radio on March 22nd 2015 – coverage starts at 7 minutes and lasts about 4 minutes. Presenter Myles Dungan interviews Chairman of the Pilgrim Paths...
Easter pilgrim walkers to retrace an ancient heritage – Irish Examiner
Irish Examiner – Today’s Stories Kelly O’Brien – Monday, March 23rd, 2015 Easter pilgrim walkers to retrace an ancient heritage Thousands of people will experience the hidden places of beauty and peace along the pilgrim paths of Ireland over the Easter weekend. The second National Pilgrim Paths Day is being held...
National Pilgrim Paths Day 2015 – Saturday April 4th
National Pilgrim Paths Day 2015 – Saturday April 4th On Saturday, April 4, large numbers of Irish people and overseas visitors are expected to connect with the ancient traditions of pilgrimage and retrace their ancestral heritage on the Easter Weekend as they take to this country’s ancient pilgrim paths...
Brigid’s Way, Kildare – 13th Pilgrim Paths Member
Brigid’s Way – 13th Pilgrim Paths Member Brigid’s Way Celtic Pilgrimage in Co. Kildare has recently become the 13th National Pilgrim Path in Ireland. St. Brigid is also the first female Irish Saint to be so honoured. On Pilgrim Paths’ Day, April 4th 2015, there will be a walk the...
Walking Books for Christmas
Walking Books for Christmas If you know someone who’s got an interest in walking, the great outdoors or Ireland’s deep and rich history of pilgrimage, then this could well be the perfect gift. John G. O’Dwyer’s well known guide to the Pilgrim Paths of Ireland is a fantastic read,...
Pilgrim Paths Meeting in Ballinahown, Co. Westmeath.
Members of the Pilgrim Paths Ireland steering group at the recent meeting in Ballinahown, Co. Westmeath.
On the Pilgrim Path in Co. Clare – Irish Times, October
The Irish Times ‘Go Walk:’ section on Saturday October 11th 2014 featured an article entitled: “On the Pilgrim Path in Co. Clare” written by well known Pilgrim walker, John O’Dwyer. On the Pilgrim Path in Co. Clare – Tackle a devotional trail offering a mystical experience You pant over...
Irish Pilgrim Paths feature on RTE’s One News
Irish Pilgrim Paths feature on RTE’s One News Ireland’s Pilgrim Paths feature on RTE One News on July 28th 2014 – coverage starts at 22 minutes 23 seconds and lasts about 2 minutes –http://www.rte.ie/news/player/2014/0728/10308080-one-news/. Just be aware that these videos only last a few weeks on RTE’s website, so...
Cnoc na dTobar joins Pilgrim Paths
Pilgrim Paths Day Features in Tipperary Nationalist
St. Declan’s Way part of Pilgrims Paths Day On Easter Saturday, April 19, thousands are expected to retrace their ancestral heritage as they take to Ireland’s ancient pilgrim paths to celebrate the inaugural National Pilgrim Paths Day. Supported by the Heritage Council, this new Easter Festival which was launched...
Easter Saturday designated National Pilgrim Paths Day – Catholic Ireland
CatholicIreland.net – News Sarah Mac Donald – 02 April, 2014 Event aims to raise awareness of Irish pilgrim routes and medieval Christian heritage. National Pilgrim Paths Day National Pilgrim Paths Day will see a series of walking and cycling events take place along Ireland’s medieval penitential trails this Easter....
‘Pilgrim Paths’ Ireland’s answer to Camino de Santiago – Irish Independent
Irish Independent – Irish News Nicola Anderson – Monday, April 1, 2014 TEN ancient ‘Pilgrim Paths’ have been flagged as Ireland’s answer to the Camino de Santiago, with the hope that visitors from far and wide will come to visit as they did back in medieval times. The paths...
