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Celtic Pilgrimage to Ireland
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The Green Road in Glendalough runs beside the Lower Lake. There are many waterfalls plunging down the fern covered banks and stretches of wild shamrock growing in the woodland. Pilgrims have walked this road for centuries, allowing it to become a prayer-journey of joyful beauty. |
| St. Kevin's Church in Glendalough, Ireland. Born in the 6th century CE, Kevin was a hermit who lived in a tiny, inaccessible cave (Kevin's bed) high above the Upper Lake in Glendalough. A community developed around him and the remains of the ancient monastic city remain to this day. Like many Celtic saints Kevin had a deep affinity for the earth and all its creatures. In the best known of these stories a blackbird laid her eggs in Kevin's hand outstretched in prayer; he maintained this position until the eggs hatched! |
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The entrance to the Monastic City at Glendalough is a starting point for many pilgrimage journeys. It leads through the ancient cemetery along a rough path where many stopping places offer spectacular views of the city and the Wicklow Mountains beyond. Behind St. Kevin's Church the high tower, built for protection during the Viking period, remains a monument to the tenacity and faith of these early Christian monks and the many local families who shared their life. |
| Today pilgrims may climb to the top of the high tower in Kildare via rickety ladders. From the top on a clear day many counties can be seen including the area known as the corrough, now used for sheep grazing and horse trails. A local landowner in St. Brigid's day refused her request for land on which to build her monastery but she persisted in asking until he sneered that she could have as much land as her cloak would cover! She prayed, threw down her cloak, and it miraculously spread to cover the whole area of the corrough! |
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| Over the site of the original monastery of St. Brigid (c452-524 CE) in Kildare, the Church of Ireland preserves her story in stained glass and many other artifacts. The ancient Fire Temple, thought to be an altar dedicated to the goddess Brigid during the pre-Christian era, is located outside in the church yard. Fire was an important symbol of Life, energy and the Holy Spirit and always a fire burned in the ancient monasteries. Brigid means "arrow of fire." |
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The statue of St. Brigid holding her torch of holy fire is a contemporary addition to the ancient holy well where pilgrims continue to pray, dance and collect water for baptisms. Brigid is sometimes referred to as "Mary of the Gael" (Mary of the Gaelic people) and, in the shape-changing myths of the Celtic people, it is suggested that Brigid was present as midwife to Mary in the stable at Bethlehem. Today she is the patron saint of midwives. |
The Pilgrimage is limited to 20 persons. This will not be a rushed experience but a well paced journey including free time to enjoy local music, dance and theater. Land cost per person double occupancy is $3,499. An additional charge will be added for single accommodations. All airline reservations may be made through AAA in Asheville, NC. They will use airline consolidators to obtain the lowest price seats available. AAA will also handle payments, which means that you will be able to use credit cards if you wish.
Contact:
Kris Wilkerson
AAA Vacations
1550 Hendersonville Road Suite 214
Asheville, NC 28803
828.274.2555 ext.12114
The Rev. Elizabeth Canham will lead the group. Liz has
been leading pilgrimages worldwide since 1976. For more on her and Hospites
Mundi visit our website at
www.hospitesmundi.org.
For more information:
e-mail
Hospites Mundi
51 Laurel Lane
Black
Mountain, NC 28711
828.664.0381
click here =>
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