Category: Pilgrimage

Countries, Pilgrimage

Holy Miley… trek like a celebrity to Lindisfarne

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Now this is no time for cold feet. So Holy Miley… trek like a celebrity to Lindisfarne.

You might well have seen Cold Feet’s Karen, aka Hermione Norris.

Row, row, row the boat: Cold Feet

And Patsy Kensit and their merry band pound the tracks of north-east England in the latest expedition of the pilgrims programme.

Timed for broadcast at Easter on BBC Two and iPlayer we’ve been following in the footsteps of our Spiritual Seven.

Of different faiths and beliefs as they explore the lives of the early Celtic Christian saints.

Across three one-hour episodes, this Pilgrimage, the eighth series, sees the peregrinos take on a 240-mile challenge.

Abbey days

Inspiring: Whitby Abbey

On the journey through Northumberland they encounter Whitby’s cliff-top Abbey.

The UNESCO site of Durham Cathedral and their final destination, the Holy Island of Lindisfarne.

The troupe travel by foot and bus through remote moorlands and the rolling Cheviot hills.

The pilgrims put their first foot in front of the other on the coast just south of the ruins of Whitby Abbey.

And travel along a curated network of trails celebrating 7th-century saints – Hild, Oswald and Cuthbert.

As true peregrinos, the peregrinos carry their own backpacks, and overnight in various locations.

From small wooden pods to an off-grid hostel and a basic bunkroom.

Step it up

Historic: Durham Cathedral

Travelling north on the way of St. Hild, the pilgrims take the coastal path to the ammonite beaches of Runswick Bay.

Before heading inland towards Durham.

Where the hard work really starts, climbing the 224 steep and uneven ‘Steps of Doom’.

For their first glimpse of Durham Cathedral.

And the medieval pilgrim tradition of foot washing, before visiting St Cuthbert’s shrine.

We find our hardy pilgrims contending with an amber weather warning at Housesteads Roman Fort on Hadrian’s Wall.

Saintly path

The Spiritual Seven: Pilgrimage

Of course there are no shortage of holy sites and the pilgrims pray at Newcastle’s Reform Synagogue.

And the ‘Nether Springs’ retreat centre, where the daily lives of this community are inspired by the medieval saints.

From here, they join St Oswald’s Way and take in a medieval hermitage in the grounds of Warkworth Castle.

Carved into a rocky outcrop and only accessed by boat.

Sealed it: Look out for the locals

In the Scottish Borders, the pilgrims’ last trail, St Cuthbert’s Way marks the Celtic monk, bishop and hermit.

A challenging walk in the Cheviots on Wide-Open Hill takes them to the highest point on the route.

Feet on Holy ground

Way to go: To Lindisfarne

And just because the Beeb certainly knows how to treat its celebs.

By directing them to Cuthbert’s Cave where monks sheltered with his coffin when fleeing Viking raids on Lindisfarne.

After 12 demanding days, the group finally reach ‘Pilgrims’ Way’.

Where for more than 1,000 years pilgrims have walked across the tidal sands, those that caught out Matt, Pete and Robert.

To reach Lindisfarne, known as Holy Island.

Walkers this way

Village people: And comfy billets

And as luck, and planning would have it.

We have a seven-night self-guided trek with Walkers Britain & Europe with six nights in selected B&Bs. And all for £860.

With WBE telling us that you’ll stay in the pretty fishing villages of Alnmouth, Seahouses and Craster.

And the ancient castles at Bamburgh, Dunstanburgh and Lindisfarne.

While, of course, like with every Camino, they will also provide you with your itinerary and daily routes.

 

Countries, Europe, Ireland, Pilgrimage

Ewe do it best Ronan on the Wild Atlantic Way

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And see what we’ve done there… to mark Boyzone’s finest’s celebration of Ireland’s most famous trek, we say ewe do it best Ronan on the Wild Atlantic Way.

The one-time boy band warbler has been retracing his boyhood holidays up the west and north-west coasts of Ireland.

And the great ambassador that he is he has been sharing it with his British audience for Tourism Ireland.

Ronan and the fragrant Storm whom he took for his wife in our Archerfield estate, near North Berwick, being adopted Brits now.

Donegal homecoming

In the zone: Ronan on the Way

Now Ronan Keating’s Wild Atlantic goes out in Britain on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer from tomorrow, April 6.

And it will conjure up Easter memories for this Hiberno-Scot from childhood holidays in my Dear Old Mum’s Donegal homestead.

I can fix it: With a little help

Cork, Kerry, Mayo, Sligo, Donegal and Derry-Londonderry will all feature in the programme.

Ronan, of course, isn’t alone on his trek (the whole route is 1,553 miles from Malin Head in Co. Donegal to the Old Head of Kinsale in Co. Cork).

Getting your hands dirty

Leading the way: Teaching an old dog new tricks

He’ll be joined by a cast of unique fellow travellers.

He’ll try his hand at everything from fishing and hurling to seaweed baths and sheep herding.

Whether Ro’s travels take him to Mum’s townland of Brockagh I’ll just have to watch to find out.

But he did get a big kick out of his walk, saying: ‘I was 16 when I left Ireland, and there was so much of the west coast I hadn’t seen.

‘Now, I’m coming home, and I can’t wait for viewers to share all the laughter and tears along the way.’

A family business

Ro of all trades: Learning the skills

Now if he does we’d advise he visit the Isaac Butt Heritage Centre.

The old schoolhouse which boasts pictures of Mum’s family, the McNultys who filled much of the first class roll.

Before heading down a few yards to the Ramblers, the one-time home and hotel business of Edward and Bridie McNulty.

And say we sent you

HAPPY EASTER

 

America, Countries, Culture, Pilgrimage

The Indian roots of Route 66

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And as we continue to follow the journey of the Mother Road on its 100th birthday it’s important to follow the tracks of the Indian roots of Route 66.

With the great American thoroughfare winding its way through more than 25 Tribal Nations.

The start: In Chicago

Half of which, 1,372 miles, are native American lands

So, while we celebrate the neon diners and roadside attractions.

The American Indigenous Tourism Association is reclaiming the native American history of these lands through their A Sovereign Journey campaign.

On the right trail

We were here first: Native American women

From the Pueblos of New Mexico to the Hualapai Nation in Arizona and the 39 distinct Tribal Nations in Oklahoma.

The road is a gateway to a vibrant, modern Indigenous landscape.

With Sherry L. Rupert (Paiute/Washoe), CEO of the American Indigenous Tourism Association painting another picture.

‘For too long, our stories were treated as an afterthought or a marketing gimmick. The American Indigenous Tourism Association is proud to provide the tools for travelers to journey with intention.

‘Honouring the sovereignty and resilience of the Native Nations who remain the heartbeat of the Mother Road.’

And your Indian guides

Know your history: Stops along the way

With the centre of the initiative AIT’s guidebook, American Indians and Route 66 originally published for the 90th anniversary in 2016.

This comprehensive travel guide, created in partnership with the National Park Service is funded in part by the National Park Service Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program.

It provides historical context on the road’s impact – both the economic opportunities and the challenges of land displacement – and offers travelers essential etiquette for visiting tribal lands.

Digital footpring

To support the centennial, AIT has launched dedicated digital resources to help travellers plan their Indigenous-focused road trip:

Got there: Santa Monica pier

While our Indian friends helpfully map out more.

 

Countries, Ireland, Pilgrimage

A Brigid house

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Take a bunch of reeds and look up the internet for instructions to make the kind of cross to grace a Brigid house.

The off-centre cross, invented and popularised by the 5th-century saint, would hang in every Irish and diaspora doorway to stave off fire and evil.

Not that it needed to be Brigid’s house you were visiting but it just happened that our Grannie was a Brigid, and a proud one at that.

Or Bridie as she was always known and Massie to my Mum.

While her and Grandpa Eddie’s cottage also had a bit of Bridge about it, referred to by all and one in the area as the Bridge House.

Fording the Sur Wee burn (or stream) as it did in Brockagh, Co. Donegal.

St Brigid a feminist icon

Women of the cloth: The Tipperary weavers

Now St Brigid, the darling of Old Ireland has had something of a reinvention in Modern Ireland, as of all things a feminist icon.

On account of how she rose from humble beginnings with her mother a Portuguese slave brought to Ireland.

And went on to become the equivalent of an archbishop, in charge of 1500 nuns.

Which, of course, is timely as the English as they love to do have claimed their newly instated Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally as the first female archbishop.

Paddy’s dynasty

Green marks the cross: St Brigid style

When the Irish will gleefully point to Brigid who was ordained by Saint Patrick‘s nephew Bishop Mel.

Though the story also goes that Mel may have read her the wrong prayers,

In ordaining her a nun and given her even greater status.

But we say that she richly deserved it because who else could weave a cloak to cover the acres of the Curragh in Kildare.

And persuade a king to give them their land for their monastery.

Prevailing against the patriarchy

Holy of holies: St Brigit Festival

A woman of her times, and all times, St Brigid clearly had to prevail against the patriarchy.

And still does as Ireland’s only patroness saint.

So we, of course, welcomed that her day, February 1, was granted National Day status, three years ago.

While she would doubtless be proud of the Mná na hÉireann today, three Presidents and counting.

And the 100 Tipperary women who weaved a giant cloth.

Which they paraded in Clonmel on the Premier County on the eve of St Brigid’s Day yesterday.

With the cloak carried in procession too and showcased in Dublin Brigit’s Parade today, February 1.

So, with an eye to our own St Brigid’s Cross, and crossing myself for my mum’s mum without whom I wouldn’t be there.

And countless other Brigid connections, we say… 

HAPPY ST BRIGID’S DAY

Deals, Europe, Pilgrimage

Corphew go trekking in the Greek islands

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Giorgios, Maria, Evi and all our Greek friends, and Dutch Frank, all tell us that the locals head for the islands when it heats up so Corphew… let’s go trekking in the Greek islands.

And put in the hard work we wimped out on the last time we were there.

On honeymoon, 32 years ago when it was more about sunset walks on the Corfiot beach.

In my defence it was toga-wearing hot when we were there in the September of 1994.

Good reason then for the grumpy Greek Orthodox monks to be wearing robes.

Going Solos

Stark beauty: Corfu

I have since got my walking shoes on on my travels out to the Attica region and Kythera, and continue to mither The Scary One to join me.

Although, of course, my notorious wayfaring is hardly a persuasive argument.

Which will be why she always suggests I go on my own… ‘take a long walk down a short pier.’

Solos are, of course, the go-to for, er solo, trips where you meet like-minded travellers.

Or those who have exhausted the patience of those at home and who you end up falling out with on holiday.

Come what May

Enchanting: Corfu town

And so Solos are marking this May, in celebration of National Walking Month, by sending us all out on a week of hiking and cultural discovery in Corfu.

You’ll be based at Aronda House in Dassia.

And the itinerary features moderate guided hikes through the hills, coastal paths and valleys on this most verdant of Greek islands.

Stretching out: Ready for your trek

Highlights include a coast to coat walk from Skripero, a forested trail past the heritage village of Agios Markos.

And a loop around the flamingo-dotted Korission Lagoon in the island’s quieter south.

With daily distances around 13kms and routes made up of gentle ascents, it’s ideal for all walkers.

Deal us in

Lie back: And think of Corfu

A seven-night Corfu Walking Tour departs on May 1 and is priced at £1,259pp.

This includes return flights, transfers, airport taxes, double room for solo use.

A welcome drink, daily breakfast, BBQ dinner at hotel, three picnic lunches.

Four exclusive fully guided walks and a Solos Tour Leader.

 

 

Countries, Europe, Pilgrimage

May St Anthony guide you in 2026

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It’s never too early in the new year to be looking for inspiration so may St Anthony guide you in 2026.

And your travels as St Anthony is the Church’s torchbearer for travellers.

Now if the Christmas season is about Baby Jesus and the main saint is Nicklaus.

Then Saint Anthony is not far behind him.

Because as well as being the patron saint of peregrinators St Anthony is also the go-to man for lost causes.

Dome from home: The basilica

And Christmas is definitely one of those occasions, as well as when you’re portable on holiday, when things go missing.

Under a pile of Christmas wrapping and bundles of new gifts.

Which is what happened to Herself when we repaired to go out for a tipple at the local North Berwick hostelry.

Only to realise that her keys were nowhere to be found.

Answer to our prayers

Sacred shrine: Where miracles happen

Of course, misplacing our valuables comes when we’re distracted.

And we are thinking about too much at the same time.

And I’m a master of both and have a mountain of possessions long since fenced by those little Borrowers blighters.

Now after Herself hunting high and low and sending me out of the house and the way.

I suggested we ask St Anthony as a last resort.

For a token fee, of course, in his collection box at the chapel.

Now disbelievers will scoff but the evidence is there and moments later She called to inform me.

That she had found them among the wrapping and tinnies in the bin.

With some story about the dog lead knocking them in there.

Man of charity

Everything in the garden: And it’s rosy

All of which mishaps among the merriment brings us to the hero of the moment.

No, not me, but St Anthony, and where we can find him to bank our favours for the future.

Well, for those who follow such things, St Anthony is often referred to as St Anthony of Padua.

Lisbon native Fernando Martins de Bulhões, having been as is so often the case, born from a privileged status.

But going on to dedicate himself to charity in the 13th century.

And preaching, and here is where this peregrinator, came face to face with the great man.

Or the closest thing to that with a reliquary of the Portugueezer in his adopted town of Padua in north-east Italy.

Now Anthony, his given monastic name, found himself in Italy after his ship was blown off course.

On his way back from Morocco, where he had fallen ill (been there, done that).

The trip of the tongue

City of saints: The Italian jewel

And it was in Bologna where the legend of Anthony intervening when you lose something was spawned.

When Anthony lost his psalter and prayed to God that it would be found or returned.

And the thief was moved to not only return the book to Anthony.

With the stolen book now said to be preserved in the Franciscan friary in Bologna.   

While St Anthony’s tongue and jaw bone which miraculously survived, while the rest of him turned to dust, is the sight of veneration.

In the St Anthony Basilica in Padua where pilgrims gather to pay homage.

And ask where they’ve left their keys, wallet, mobile phone or whatever is dear to you.

 

 

 

Countries, Europe, Pilgrimage

Buon Cammino Pellegrino

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Buon Cammino Pellegrino and a shout-out to a Via Francigena friend I never knew I had but do now.

Philosopher Marcos Bulcao is a Brazilian brother pilgrim who has also walked the historic route from England into Rome.

Only while your favourite Bandanaman has traversed 100kms (in truth 120 with all the diversions) Marcos has covered 2,000.

And written about it for his new book The Philosopher Pilgrim which he has now flagged up to me through the community.

Follow the Yellowsign Road

Now Marcos, like most of us, took his first step on the Yellowsign road which is the Camino Frances.

And again did the whole thing from France while this peregrinos did the last 100km.

Before hearing about the 1,000-year-old Via Francigena.

Back in the days when small roads led to Rome.

Marathon man Marcos, of course, was never going to take any short cuts.

The write stuff: Marcos

And so set out on his odyssey to Rome from the pilgrim city of Canterbury on England’s south coast.

Now, of course, every pilgrim’s journey is their own.

And I could have done with Marcos’s company on my stretch of the Lazio region.

Where for the most part I only had the birds for company, probably because I got myself lost in groves and forests.

No spoilers

Water of life: On Via Francigena

Now I’ve regaled you with my own misadventures and how I nearly didn’t get started at all.

After getting stranded in Viterbo.

But if you want to hear about Marcos’s journey then you’re going to have to read his The Philosopher Pilgrim.

You may very well find a Marcos for yourself on your travels.

Because Brazilians are all over European pilgrimages.

And they are the friendliest of peregrinos.

Brazilian l’amore

Got it covered: Marcos’s book

As I discovered when Maria introduced me to her mother and father in the pews at the Cathedral of St James, my namesake, in Santiago.

After they had surprised her by turning up in Galicia when she ended her Camino.

And got a surprise they hadn’t been expecting when she introduced them to the man she had fallen for on the road.

Now to see if anything similar befell Marcos and for other tales of love, companionship and faith then I’ll be checking out The Philosopher Pilgrim.

 

 

 

Asia, Countries, Pilgrimage

Away to the manger… Bethlehem is back

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Whether it ranks as a miracle is for others to decide but this year after a two-year hiatius it’s away to the manger… Bethlehem is back.

Which is good news for the Little Town (population 32,000) which depends for 85% of its economy on tourism.

And unemployment is three in five, up from one in ten.

And which this year is restating their tree-lighting ceremony.

When a 50ft Christmas tree dominates Manger Square.

And vies in height with the basilica built over the grotto where Jesus was born.

And what of inns, we hear you ask.

Under the tree

Light up: Bethlehem tree

Well, in a usual year, we’re told that you’d have to book inns well in advance to avoid getting stuck with a stable.

While, of course, the local economy depends on the throngs of pilgrims snapping up religigous souvenirs.

And guides to tell us presumably where the shepherds watched their flocks at night and taxi drivers to take us there.

This year hotel bookings are up from virtually zero to 7,000 on December 8, the day of the tree-lighting ceremony. 

Now the place to mark the First Christmas we’re told is the Church of St Catherine.

Midnight Mass with the Cardinal

Order a pizza: Cardinal Pizzaballa

Where none other than the late Pope Francis’s old friend, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, touted as his successor, holds Midnight Mass tonight, Christmas Eve, 

For the record the British Foreign Commonwealth and Developments Office advises.

Against all but essential travel to Bethlehem.

While the Irish government too urges that only essential travel should be taken.

All our Christmases ahead

All across the world: Baby Jesus in Tobago

So where does that leave us?

Well, probably praying that things return to normal next year, firstly for everyone in the West Bank.

But also so that we can fulfil our life’s pilgrimage.

And add Israel to the missions we’ve taken to Rome, Lourdes, Fatima, Santiago de Compostella and to the banks of the River Jordan where Jesus was baptised.

And a Happy Birthday to Bethlehem’s most famous native.

 

 

Countries, Deals, Europe, Pilgrimage

No man gets left behind on a Tenerife trek

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My old colleague, The Other Jim, is, of course, well-travelled and his boots well-trodden but even he wilted under the Canarian sun… then again no man gets left behind on a Tenerife trek.

You may well have seen the esteemed James Gallagher, with whom I shared a parish for years in Ireland, striding along a lane near you.

Particularly if that lane is the Wild Atlantic Way.

On this occasion we were pioneers on a recce for a new CaminoWays trek in Tenerife, CanariaWays.

The two Jims: On a walk

Only our guides had overestimated our Irish pastiness.

Or our need for more than the usual water, chocolate and protein bar supply on those open hills.

All of which meant that we had to come back down the hill from the Franco memorial bar (now, that’s another story).

To retrieve Big Jim because no man gets left behind on a Tenerife walking trek.

Walk like an Irishman

Going for a walk: In Tenerife

I found that too in a different terrain and a different walking group, the most resilient trekkers you can meet, the senior citizens’ walkers.

On a hike through the Austrian Tyrol with Travel Department.

Now, of course, have boots, will travel, is the TD motto and they will guide you through the multi-faceted, multi-climate zone, idyll that is Tenerife.

You’ll be based in the town of Puerto de la Cruz and enjoy the volcanic black beaches of Playa Jardín.

Mojo rojo: In Tenerife with Matthew Hirtes

Your guide will lead you on trails through Teide National Park, offering stunning views of Mount Teide.

You’ll explore the lush laurel forests and rugged cliffs of Teno Rural Park.

And trek the historic Las Vueltas Footpath in Anaga Rural Park.

The volcanic landscapes of Montana Samara.

And visit the ancient caves of the indigenous inhabitants within Corona Forestal Nature Park.

A walk for all

The gang: Our Spanish guides

You’ll travel on February 5 with prices from €1,719pp.

The seven-night trip will offer moderate routes on each walking day.

And is ideal for moderately experienced or experienced walkers, and Our Jim.

The average daily walking distance on moderate walks is between 7.6km-12.85km.

With ascents between of between 369-730m.

And a maximum daily walking duration of up to four and a half hours.

A Teide packet

Peak walking: Teide Park

TD offers €100pp off tours departing before April 1 use code WALKING100.

Explore magnificent natural scenery & impressive hiking trails on this walking holiday in Tenerife.

There will be five guided walking trips through diverse terrains & national parks.

Experience highlights like Mount Teide, Anaga Rural Park & Montana Samara.

Unwind after hikes on the volcanic black sand beaches of Playa Jardín.

Your seven nights will be spent in a three-star half board hotel with flights and transfers from Dublin.