The route of a new-transnational pilgrim path has recently been launched in Ferns, Co Wexford before a full house. Celebrating the ancient Celtic links between Ireland and Wales, the Wexford-Pembrokeshire Pilgrim Way will connect the early Christian monastic site at Ferns, Co Wexford, with St Davids City in Wales. Taking an average of 9 days to walk, the new path will consist of 5 stages in Wexford and 4 stages in Pembrokeshire and an Irish Sea crossing between.
Launch of Wexford-Pembrokeshire Pilgrim Way:
Rom Bates, Pilgrim Officer, Wexford; John G O’Dwyer, Pilgrim Paths Ireland; Amanda Byrne, Wexford County Council; Peter O’Connor, Wexford Walking Trails and Iain Tweedale, Journeying
The route of the new path was introduced by Iain Tweedale, the former head of online broadcasting at BBC Wales. Mr Tweedale is now dedicated to working with Journeying – an organisation that promotes pilgrim walking on the ancient paths of the UK and Ireland. “We are reviving a pilgrimage route that goes from Ferns in County Wexford, which is the ancient capital of Ireland’s Southeast, to Rosslare,” said Mr Tweedale. “The route will pass through Oulart, Oilgate, Ferrycarrig, Piercestown, and Our Lady’s Island. “People can then jump on the ferry at Rosslare and cross over to Fishguard, where they will walk down to St Davids on a wonderful coastal path.”
Keynote speaker at the event was author and chairman of Pilgrim Paths Ireland, John G O’Dwyer. He has been closely involved with the re-awakening of pilgrim paths throughout Ireland. On his first time speaking in Co Wexford, he described how the rebirthed paths have grown tourism outside the main hospitality centres and thereby greatly benefited local communities. “We are confident the extra visitors will boost local businesses during quieter times of the year. There is a five-year plan to make this a significant tourism project for Wexford when we expect to have 4,000-5,000 on the path every year” said Mr O’Dwyer.
For further information, visit: wexfordpembrokeshirepilgrimway.org
For further information in Ireland:
Eoghan Greene (Project Officer, Ancient Connections) 087 3386005
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NOTES FOR EDITORS, PROGRAMME PRODUCERS
In both the southeast of Ireland and the southwest of Wales, a robust tradition tells of the Irish-born St Aidan journeying to study under St David, patron saint of Wales. Aidan was gifted honeybees by David on his return to Ireland. These then thrived within the famous monastery he founded at Ferns. A lifelong bond was thus created between two saintly men and two Celtic lands with David later journeying to Wexford and leaving his mark on the landscape. The new path celebrates the relationship between the two renowned Celtic saints.
