Ireland's Pilgrim Paths: Walking the Ancient Trails
Ireland's Pilgrim Paths: Walking the Ancient Trails
New edition
by Darach MacDonald
A skeptic and cynical Catholic embarks on a walking journey along Ireland’s ancient pilgrim paths leading to an extraordinary exploration of his own and the country’s state of mind and soul.
C-format, paperback | 304pp | ISBN: 978-1-84840-778-7 | Release Date: June 2020
Each of Ireland’s pilgrim paths is an ancient tóchar (‘camino’ or causeway) into the world of Celtic spirituality. In this walking-pace travelogue, set against a backdrop of spectacular scenery in every corner of Ireland, Darach MacDonald, a modern-day pilgrim, recounts his trials and tribulations following in the footsteps of the ancients along prescribed paths, ranging from hikes of a few hours’ duration to day-long treks and the three-day ordeal in St Patrick’s Purgatory.
This is an exploration of the magical soul of Celtic Christianity, written from the perspective of a struggling, ‘à la carte’ Irish Catholic, ‘who could be best described as a healthy sceptic in matters of belief ’. The result is a narrative that is at times uplifting and at times uncomfortable, but always engaging and honest. While there are pilgrimage prayers along the tóchar, as well as historical background on the places once revered throughout Christendom, there are also pints in pleasant pubs and a diverse range of literary references, anecdotes and personal reflections on faith, morality and religious practice, offered in a spontaneous and unselfconscious spirit.
Praise for the book:
“Pilgrimage endures because we endure. Join Darach on the well-travelled open and ancient pilgrim paths where there is an abundance of joy.”
“If you want a walk that will bring you far from the beaten track (despite this being a pilgrim path), and to places of great beauty, then go on this one. MacDonald’s book is also a walk into history and an Ireland those of us who live in the cities and are caught up in everyday life hardly know exists anymore. But it’s out there; [this book] reminds us it’s out there and believers, non-believers and reluctant believers will be more tempted to go and find it for themselves after reading this book.”
“Many people find it easier to walk than talk their faith, and derive encouragement through treading in the footsteps of countless pilgrims before them.”
