Fianna Fáil Councillor, Fintan Phelan, paid tribute to the Columban Fathers and Columban Sisters who, he said, played “a pivotal role” in steering the new Columban Way heritage trail to completion, culminating in its official launch last weekend.
Football legend and walking enthusiast, Paul McGrath, officially launched the Columban Way in County Carlow on Saturday 19th February 2022.
The scenic and historical trail is the starting point of a wider European Columban Way project and will allow visitors to follow in the footsteps of the 6th century missionary St Columbanus, who was born at the foot of Mount Leinster in the county.
Five Columbans participated in the 8km walk from Nine Stones on Mount Leinster to the village of Myshall on Saturday. Bishop Denis Nulty performed a blessing at the outset of the walk and then led the pilgrimage from Nine Stones to Myshall.
The participants included representation from the Friends of Columbanus Bangor, Knights of Columbanus, Wexford and Meath County Councils as well as local walking groups and Myshall Muintir na Tíre. And people from Bandon, Dublin, Ballinasloe and Cavan.
Promoted by Carlow Tourism, with infrastructure developed by Carlow County Council, this stretch of the Columban Way is funded by the Department of Rural Affairs and Community and Failte Ireland.
This spiritual and pilgrimage trail on the model of the Camino, the Francigena and other great European cultural routes features the historical sites and landscapes of early Christian Ireland. It links three particular areas with strong associations to St Columbanus – his birthplace at Mount Leinster in County Carlow, his place of study at Cleenish Island in County Fermanagh and the monastery he joined in Bangor, County Down.
The completed stages of the route across County Down and the County Carlow section of the route with two feeder routes from Bunclody on the Wexford side and St Mullins on the Carlow side are fully signposted and ready for visitors to explore.
Once fully developed, the Columban Way in Ireland will stretch 530km across counties Carlow, Wexford, Kildare, Laois, Meath, Cavan, Monaghan, Fermanagh, Armagh and Down.
The partnership approach taken to complete the North and South sections of the Columban Way is significant according to Mayor of Ards and North Down, Mark Brooks.
“On behalf of the community in Bangor and across Northern Ireland, we are proud to be part of this historic project and make a reciprocal visit to Carlow to launch the first point of the Columban Way. The completed routes in the North and South were developed through collaboration and a collective aim to join as an All-Ireland community to celebrate our joint culture and heritage,” he said.
Linking in with the demand for slow, sustainable tourism; the trail is expected to be a key tourism attraction according to Michael Walsh, Chair of Carlow Tourism.
“In conjunction with Carlow County Council, we are delighted to celebrate this exceptional amenity for the county. It is widely recognised in tourism that visitors increasingly seek bespoke, tailored experiences that resonate with them on a personal level. It is fitting therefore that the Columban Way is referred to as ‘the journey of discovery’.”
“The walk offers visitors of all faiths and of none, the opportunity to connect with nature and to enjoy their own personal journey. In the spirit of St Columbanus, this All-Ireland route is bringing together counties North and South along with eight countries across Europe to develop a 6,000km route on completion’.”
Soccer legend Paul McGrath explained why the project resonated with him.
“Like a lot of people over the last two years, I have a new appreciation for the amazing outdoor spaces we have in Ireland and the positive effect walking can have on your mental health. Walking on my own or with friends has become an important part of my life. The Columban Way speaks in a very real way to the importance of community. It’s not about where you are going but the journey itself. We have a right to be proud of the many scenic walks we have in this country, and this is a great opportunity to support local tourism businesses in Carlow, learn more about our history and get the steps in!”
The Columban Way features interpretation panels, directional signage and a Columban Way Cairn at the scenic Nine Stones viewing point. Detailed maps of the Columban Way as well as a list of accommodation, restaurants and walking guides are available on www.carlowtourism.com/thecolumbanway or download the maps Via Columbani app from the Google Play Store and mac apps store
In his address, Cllr Fintan Phelan said that as Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council it gave him “great pleasure” to be present for the launch of the Columban Way.
“I am particularly pleased to be standing at the Columbanus Cairn on Mount Leinster, in this very special location, as it was here in the shadow of the Blackstairs Mountains that Columbanus was born and spent his early years. And it was from here that he set off to found the famous monastery at Bangor, and subsequently many other settlements throughout Europe.”
“This spot therefore holds a very special place in the history of Columbanus’s story and the development of the Columban Way here in Ireland. It would be hard to find a more stunning view and it is interesting that this vista must surely have stayed long in Columbanus’s mind as he founded some of his most well-known monasteries across Europe in very similar landscapes including those in Annagrey and Luxeuil.”
“As I said last October at the launch of the Comber to Bangor stretch of the route, this is a day of great celebration for both of our communities as we recognise the completion the Carlow stretch of the Columban Way, meaning the beginning and end of the way here in Ireland is complete. We very much look forward to progress along the intervening sections over the next while in counties Kildare, Meath, Cavan, Monaghan, Fermanagh and Armagh to ensure that the vision of a 530km spiritual and pilgrim route is realised.”
“The Columban Way is a fantastic addition to the heritage, cultural, tourism and community assets of County Carlow. It is a great new experience for both locals and visitors to the area, leading us through some of the most unspoiled vistas in the country and serves so many purposes from improving general well-being for all to engaging with our rich heritage and history.”
“In Carlow we have a very proud and vibrant tradition of community engagement which the Columban Way speaks to in a very real manner – we look forward to the fostering and deepening of existing relationships with our Northern Ireland and European counterparts in the areas of education, heritage, tourism and culture as this project grows and expands. It is a north-south project in its truest form stretching across the island of Ireland with enormous capacity to unite communities of different faiths and cultural traditions together. I want to particularly acknowledge at this point the fantastic work of Myshall Muintir na Tire at local level as a key driver of this project and all the communities along the route here in Carlow.”
“As you may be aware the Columban Way is part of a much larger initiative, stretching to some 6,000km, which links us to our neighbours in Northern Ireland, the UK, France, Austria, Luxembourg, Liechtenstien, Germany, Switzerland and Italy. As Europe and indeed the world re-opens after the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic we look forward to welcoming visitors from abroad, all eager to discover the story of Columbanus and his impact on our every day lives in the areas of climate action, biodiversity and education.”
“I want to recognise the support given by the Knights of St Columbanus and the pivotal role of the Columban Fathers and Columban Sisters who have steered the project, liaising closely with both community based and public authorities in establishing the necessary partnership structures to progress the development of the route.”
“I want to thank our esteemed guest Paul McGrath who kindly accepted the invitation to launch proceedings today. As a gentleman and hero who has given so many wonderful sporting experiences and accolades to the Irish people and as a champion of the benefits of sport and activity in our daily lives, indeed often walking here himself in the Blackstairs, we very much appreciate your attendance here today.”
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