An Irish Camino experience
Three Jesuits took part in the Slí Cholmcille pilgrimage in Donegal between 4-16 July. They were Alan McGuckian SJ, Bishop of Raphoe (centre in picture), his brother Barney McGuckian SJ (right), and Brendan McManus SJ (left). Bishop Alan has been active over the last few years in trying to establish this 260km walk as an official pilgrimage trail, comparable to the Camino that leads to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. The trail begins in Glencolmcille, west Donegal, and it takes in many places in Donegal and Derry associated with St Colmcille, the well-known Irish saint who founded a monastic settlement on the island of Iona, Scotland. 2021 marks the 1500th anniversary of the birth of St Colmcille at Gartan, which is included in the pilgrimage route.
Brendan McManus SJ, a seasoned pilgrim who has written books about both the Camino and the Ignatian pilgrimage route in North Spain, wrote up his experiences on this new route. You can download his reflections here »