Holy Sites in Ireland
What is a Pilgrimage? It is a journey to a holy place as a form of religious devotion, as an act of penance (even barefooted), or to seek the intercession of a saint. We are a pilgrim Church in search of a future and permanent city - the New Jerusalem. Pilgrimages were quite popular in the 11th and 12th centuries and slackened during the Renaissance and Reformation. The Catholic Christians of Ireland, as well as people of other faith traditions , continue to value and participate in pilgrimage to the many HOLY SITES located in the country.
8 practices of a good pilgrimage: The value of travel was ingrained in me from a young age. When I was growing up in New York City my father worked for the United Nations, and we had the...
Christine Valters Paintner is a Benedictine oblate and the online Abbess at AbbeyoftheArts.com, a virtual monastery integrating contemplative practice and creative expression. She is a poet and the author of 16 books on the spiritual life. Christine lives on the wild edges of Ireland with her husband, John, where they lead retreats and other programs online for a global ecumenical community.
Knock Shrine
Ireland’s International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine. To learn more click here.
(Image Mayo County Council)
Croagh Patrick
Croagh Patrick, a soaring cone-shaped peak that rises above Clew Bay in Co Mayo, is where the Irish have always turned for guidance and reassurance before the harvest. People have been coming for well over 3,000 years, since our Neolithic ancestors first recognised its potency as a sacred site.
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Lough Derg
The sanctuary of St. Patrick, and a place of Christian pilgrimage since the 5th century.
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Glendalough
For thousands of years people have been drawn to ‘the valley of the two lakes‘ for its spectacular scenery, rich history, archaeology and abundant wildlife. Glendalough is a remarkable place that will still your mind, inspire your heart and fill your soul.
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Our Lady’s Island
Our Lady's Island is an ancient place of pilgrimage in the south east corner of Ireland in the diocese of Ferns.Covering a large area of the south east, Our Lady's Island parish includes many other townlands such as - Carne, Carnesore, Churchtown, St. Margaret's, St. Helen's, Broadway and Tacumshane.
The Island has two churches, The Church of the Assumption - the Parish Church and St. Catherine's in Tacumshane just a few miles away.
To learn more click here.
Tobernalt Holy Well
Tobernalt Holy Well in Sligo is a place of reflection and nurturing serenity. It predates the advent of Christianity to Ireland in the fifth century. Its importance as a meeting place and a sustainer of life predates our Celtic ancestors.
At this time, the pilgrim at Tobernalt shares in the inherited ancestral tradition coming from earliest times, which was christianised by St. Patrick and held steadfastly by faithful generations ever since. The challenge posed by Tobernalt is to ensure that the tradition will continue to enrich the generations not yet born.
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Holy Well, Belmullet Peninsula, Co Mayo
Having plucked out her eyes to avoid marriage, St Dervla’s sight was later miraculously restored. Her holy well on the Belmullet Peninsula in Co Mayo is not only a sight to behold, but it’s also the go-to place for those suffering from eye ailments.
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St. Canice’s Cathedral & Round Tower
Located in the county of Kilkenny, the town gets its name from this saint.
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St. Ciaran: Monastery at Clonmacnoise, Co Offaly
Ciaran founded the monastery at Clonmacnoise in Co. Offaly which is a popular stop along the Shannon River between Dublin and Galway.
St. Columba: Derry City, Co Derry
The city of Derry patron saint, Columba left Ireland for the island of Iona and also went on to become closely associated with Scotland.
St. Finbarr: Gougane Barra, Co Cork
It is said that Finbarr built the first church at Gougane Barra in County Cork.
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St. Brendan: Cathedral at Clonfert, Co Galway
Known as Brendan the Navigator, it’s believed he traveled by sea to North America almost 1,000 years before Columbus. The cathedral at Clonfert, Co Galway, displays a beautiful Romanesque doorway, and Craggaunowen – the Living Past Experience in County Clare - houses the boat used by Tim Severin who followed Brendan’s possible route.
(Ireland's Content Pool)
St. Brigid: Church and shrines, Co Kildare
Ireland’s second most well-known saint, Brigid is likely based on a pre-Christian goddess. Although she’s most associated with Kildare, shrines and holy wells bearing her name pop up throughout Ireland. St Brigid’s crosses which are woven from reeds or rushes often appear in Irish homes.
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St. Kevin: Glendalough, Co Wicklow
The famed hermit lived in a cave in the valley of Glendalough, Co. Wicklow. The peaceful spot attracted disciples who built a church, round tower, and monastery.
St. Oliver Plunkett: St. Peter's Church, Drogheda, Co Louth
When canonized in 1975, St Oliver Plunket was the first new Irish saint in nearly 700 years. Executed by Charles II, Plunket’s head is displayed in a reliquary in St Peter’s Church in Drogheda, Co Louth.
St. Buíthe: High Cross at Monasterboice, Co Meath
St. Buíthe is known as the founder of the religious settlement at Monasterboice in County Meath. Explore the church and round tower ruins, which are surrounded by some of the best Celtic crosses in Ireland.
The Celtic High Cross at Monasterboice (Getty Images)
St. Cronan: Monastery at Roscrea, Co Tipperary
Although St Cronan founded several monasteries, his most famous one was in Roscrea, Co Tipperary. Visitors can wander the ruins which include churches, a round tower, and high cross.
The High Cross in Roscrea taken from nearby St. Cronan's Church (Ireland's Content Pool)
St. Colman: Kilmacduagh, Co Clare
Spending most of his holy life in County Clare and on the Aran Island of Inishmore, Colman is associated with the monastery at Kilmacduagh, near Gort in County Galway, which is home to a round tower that leans … a bit like the Tower of Pisa.
(Getty Images)
St. Declan: St. Declan’s Oratory overlooking Ardmore beach, Co Waterford
St. Declan’s Pilgrim Path between Cashel, Co. Tipperary, and Ardmore, Co. Waterford, has been nicknamed the “Irish Camino.” In Ardmore, the dramatic seaside walk takes visitors to ruined churches, old holy wells, and sacred spots associated with the saint.
St. Féchín: Fore, Co Westmeath
With ties to Fore, Co. Westmeath, visitors can walk a path celebrating the Seven Wonders of Fore which represent seven miracles associated with the site and St Féchín.