Celtic Saints - Ireland

Pilgrimage Overview

In the summer of 2020, as global travel came to a screeching halt, I immersed myself in the legacy of St. Martin of Tours, a pivotal yet often overlooked figure in European history.  His influence extended beyond 4th-century Gaul, reaching the rocky shores of Hibernia, where his monastic principles inspired the burgeoning Christian communities. 

The coast of Ireland is a broad onramp to the Atlantic highway, and the Loire was a nearby exit ramp.  Paddling their curraghs up the Loire, the future monks of Ireland could arrive on the continent with relative ease.  Marmoutier, a monastery founded by Martin on the banks of the Loire, became training grounds for Celtic missionaries, including figures like St. Ninian, who studied directly under Martin and carried his teachings back to the rugged Isles.  Martin, I believe, spoke a Celtic dialect in his native Pannonia, and this language skill was key to his success in rural Gaul.  The dialects of the northern Isles, no doubt made it easier for the initial visitors.  Ninian founded his first church in 397 at Candida Casa on the Irish Sea—legend says with a staff of masons sent by Martin. It was the year Martin entered his eternal rest; it is the first church dedicated to St Martin.

Recognizing this profound connection, I embarked on a journey to visit every French town bearing St. Martin's name, honoring his widespread impact.  In autumn 2021, after a three-month pilgrimage through northwest France, I set sail for Ireland.  However, the resurgence of the pandemic cut this leg short after just three weeks, postponing but not diminishing my resolve.

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Now, in 2025, enriched by countless miles walked and stories gathered, I resume this pilgrimage.  My mission is to honor the early Celtic saints of Ireland—those who journeyed vast distances to establish centers of faith, learning, and community.  Their ascetic lives not only transformed Ireland but also illuminated a path for all of Europe.  With my years of pilgrimage experience around the world, I know the transformative power of walking where saints once walked—feeling the harsh winds, trudging through the marshes and brambles, experiencing the same rugged landscapes that shaped their spiritual lives.  The pilgrimage itself, with its hardships and uncertainties, is an essential part of understanding their devotion and motivation—a true peregrinatio.

Through this pilgrimage, I aim to experience firsthand the landscapes that shaped their spirituality.  By engaging with local communities near these historic monastic sites, I hope to rekindle appreciation for their rich heritage, fostering connections and trust—the foundation of peace.  Focusing on the 5th to 7th centuries, I trace the roots of Christianity in Ireland, especially those intertwined with Martin's legacy at Marmoutier.  This journey is both a tribute and a quest to embody the spirit of faith, perseverance, and community that these saints exemplified.

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A Pilgrimage in the Present

This journey is deeply personal.  Like all of my solo pilgrimages, I will not be sharing updates from the road - no blogs, social media, or live tracking.  On pilgrimage, I bear my cross, neither taking thought for the morrow nor looking back at what had been left.  I prefer to communicate with the people I am with.

The embedded map shows my planned route - the itinerary is under development, but the pink dots are 'must-visit', the brown are important monastic settlements, the yellow are modern monasteries.