Walk for Peace, Healing and Wellbeing
During August and September a long distance walk will take place between Mount Leinster, County Carlow and Bangor in County Down. The all island walk is 360 miles long. The route is part of the European Columban Way which passes through England, France, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Liechtenstein and Italy. The Columban Way retraces the journeys of Columbanus throughout Europe. Columbanus was a renowed leader in the spread of Christianity across Europe in the 6th and early 7th Century.
Born in the foothills of Mount Leinster, educated on Cleenish island in Fermanagh he rose to prominence as master in the great monastery in Bangor.
At the end of the 6th century, Columbanus felt called to pilgrimage for Christ, and so travelled to continental Europe with a group of 12 followers, including Gall. These men would go on to establish some of Europe’s most influential Christian centres in present day France, Austria and Italy.
The walk commences on the 17th August leaving from Saint Mullans monastic site and progressing via Mount Leinster. Walkers will follow in the footsteps of Columbanus as they travel northwards to Cleenish island in Fermanagh by the 5th of September. From there they will walk through counties Monaghan, Armagh and Down. The walk will end in Bangor on Saturday 21st of September, International Peace Day. A small “core group” of walkers plan to walk the entire 361 mile route.
Images from the Columban Way
Navan Fort ancient road route to Amagh 
Armagh Market Square 
Folly Glen Armagh 
Ballynahonemore Road 
Gosford Forest Park Glamping 
Tannaghmore Road 
Clare Glen 
Moodage Road 
Newry Canel near Scarva 
On the Newry Canal Greenway 
Ulster Way Signage! 
Hilltown Road Newry looking south 
The Mournes ahead 
Carlingford Lough from Carrick Road 
Rostrevor Inn – C.S. Lewis Country 
Rostrevor Fairy Glen 
Old lane through Rostrevor Forest 
Mourne way near Altataggart 
Fern waymark 
Ford near Leitrim Lodge 
Between Rocky Moutain and Tornamrock 
Crossing Rown Tree River 
Stile near Spelga 
A Mourne wall view 
Boggy section on Spaltha 
Approaching the Ott Track Car Park 
Stream crossing below Meelmore 
Shimna Bridge Tollymore 
Newcastle Looking Back to Slieve Donard 
Dundrum Bay 
Dundrum Coastal Path 
Buckshead Road 
Ballydugan Mill 
Replica Downpatrick High Cross 
St Patrick’s Grave
A number of local communities along the way will engage with the walkers, welcoming them and providing simple hospitality. Some local walking groups will also join the small core group of walkers for particular sections of the walk – for example from Navan Fort into Armagh City and on the last day into Bangor.
Expand here for more information on the route above.
This video is an animation of a section of the proposed Columban Way route – starting at Armagh and ending in Bangor. Not all of the route shown is currently walkable and certain road sections require care and are only suitable for experienced walkers. The route and its improvement is a work in progress.
Organising Groups
In Northern Ireland the walk is being planned and coordinated by Friends of Columbanus Bangor while in Eire Turas Columbanus perform the same function.
To contact Turas Columbanus about taking part, helping or any other matter relating to the Eire walk please email turascolumbanus@gmail.com
Get Involved along the Walk in NI
If you would like to volunteer to support the walkers in some way (eg, driving to transfer baggage between accommodation) or actually participating in part of the walk please contact us using the form below:
Walk the Columban Way into Bangor on 21th September (International Day of Peace)
Friends of Columbanus Bangor are organising a supporting walk to meet the core Pilgrim Group at Helen’s Bay and walk with them to end of the Irish Columban Way at Bangor Abbey and on reception afterwards at St Comgall’s Parish Hall (4.5 miles).
For full details and a link for walk registration please see the post below: