Brigid's Way

In 2013 Dr. Karen Ward and Dolores Whelan, of the Iomlanú Centre, founded and led the first Brigid’s Way Celtic Pilgrimage route from Faughart in County Louth to Kildare Town. Taking place over 9 nine days this was the first time the route had been walked since ancient times.

The Rediscovery of Brigid’s Way was inspired by a strong desire to revive the ancient art of pilgrimage, which was such a central part of the indigenous tradition of this land.  By following Brigid’s footsteps and those of our Ancestors, walking as a pilgrim reconnects you with the sacredness of the earth and the majesty of the sky.  You will awaken to the consciousness of Brigid, with the opportunity to connect with your creative feminine power and unite this with your active masculine strength, whether you be male or female or other .  This is Brigid’s gift – to accept all and unite both sides of our being and our world in harmony and balance.  Brigid remains an inspiration for us all in these changing times.

This Celtic Pilgrimage passes through beautiful Irish landscapes from the Lisnawilly Estate and picturesque villages of county Louth, the lush farmlands of Meath, Donadea Forest Park, Coolree Bog, along the Grand Canal to Pollardstown Fen and the Curragh of Kildare.  Along the route, glittering like jewels in the earth lie the sacred sites of the Holy Well of Faughart, Knockbridge Standing Stone also  known as the ‘Cuchulainn Stone’, the Hill of Slane, the Hill of Tara, Brideswell Kilcock, Brigid’s Fire Temple and Holy Wells, Kildare.  This alignment of sacred sites reflects the Cygnus (Swan) constellation which was prominent in the skies at the time of St Brigid’s birth in the 5th Century AD.  It may have formed an ancient ‘sightline’, pointing out the place on the northern horizon where the cross-shaped swan constellation, Cygnus was rising in ancient times.