Walkers gathered in St Mullins last week, where they were led out on their pilgrimage by Bishop Denis Nulty, who blessed the launch of the inaugural Columban Way Walk. Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council Fergal Browne described the occasion as “momentous”.
Addressing the gathering, cllr Browne said the “creative and inspirational project” invites people of all ages and backgrounds to “put on their walking boots and take the time to connect with the beauty of the landscape, listen to the sound of nature and follow in the footsteps of the men and women who shaped this landscape and its stories centuries ago”.
The walk offers visitors the opportunity to connect with nature while embarking on a personal journey of reflection and contemplation along the stunning landscapes of the River Barrow and the Blackstairs Mountains.
Modelled on the renowned Camino de Santiago, it features historical sites and landscapes of early Christian Ireland, bringing together communities of different faiths and cultural traditions.
The Carlow Walk joins the finished route at Bangor, Co Down as part of a wider national and European Columban Way, spanning eight countries and encompassing over 5,000 kilometres, which cathaoirleach Browne says links us “in a very tangible way to our neighbours in Northern Ireland, Britain, France, Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Italy.
“We are very fortunate in Carlow that with investment from Carlow County Council and the Department of Rural and Community Development the route has been signposted and interpreted fully,” he said.
Locally, the route travels from the 6th century ecclesiastical site of St Mullins along the Barrow Way to the official start of the walk at Mount Leinster, through landscapes that have remained largely unchanged for thousands of years.
From there it descends into the village of Myshall before travelling along quiet country roads to Bagenalstown. Here it rejoins the Barrow Way to Leighlinbridge and Carlow to reach Co Kildare.
Participants can choose to walk the entire route, complete the full Co Carlow stretch, or enjoy specific sections for a single or multiple day trip, or indeed, continue along the route to Bangor, where walkers will gather to celebrate World Day of Peace on Saturday 21 September.
Given the current situation of conflict in Europe and across the Middle East, organisers are inviting participants to focus on peace, healing and wellbeing.
More information is available from Carlow Tourism or Turas Columbanus.