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In The Footsteps of St. Patrick
High Kings and Christian Triumph
St. Patrick is most closely associated with the fertile agricultural lands of County Meath and County Down that supported large settlements and were not uninfluenced by the proximity of the Roman presence across the sea. Temhair, the Hill of Tara, was the seat of the High Kings of Ireland in the valley of the Boyne, an area of great strategic importance. Here the semi-legendary Niall of the Nine Hostages, ancestor of the important Uí Néill dynasty, presided in the fifth century. Patrick's encounter with the ruling powers of Tara was, traditionally, decisive in Ireland's conversion. Close by is Slane, where Patrick lit the Paschal fire symbolising the triumph of Christianity over paganism.
Ulster and Armagh [TOP]
Like the great centres of County Meath, Armagh is significant both for its pre-historic monuments and for its association with the cult of St. Patrick. As with Tara and many of the Welsh sites, the proximity of Christian churches to ancient religious centres is unlikely to have been accidental. The nearby hilltop enclosure of Navan was one of the most important ritual centres in Ireland and, according to the Ulster Cycle, capital of Ulster and seat of Conchubhair and the hero Cú Chulainn. The cathedral at Armagh marks the site of the community which claim Patrick as their own and who, in the ninth century, created the collection of texts, including Patrick's own writings, which have shaped the cult of the Saint. Downpatrick, at the southern end of Strangford Lough, is the final resting place of the Patron Saint, his grave marked by a simple rough stone.
Into the West [TOP]
The range of Slieve League in Donegal is close to the western coast and the site of an eighth century monastic retreat established by St. Brendan. St. Patrick is also reputed to have travelled to these shores, from which Irish monks set out to explore the islands of the Atlantic. Glencolumcille - the Valley of St. Columba - is on the edge of Slieve League and has the remains of a monastic community, with sculptured stones that show stylistic links with seventh century Gaul.
Pilgrimage & Scholarship [TOP]
We now trace the footprints of Patrick down the spectacular west coast into County Mayo and to the pilgrimage site of Croagh Patrick, where each July thousands of celebrants ascend to the summit of the mountain. From Mayo we continue southwards to the Shannon Valley, where a string of early monasteries provided the intellectual powerhouse for late sixth and early seventh century Ireland. Clonfert was the main cult centre of St. Brendan the Navigator, producing works of Biblical exegesis and monastic penance. St. Ciarán founded the nearby monastery of Clonmacnoise in the sixth century. Here we find Ireland's finest collection of early medieval monastic remains, including the beautiful Cross of the Scriptures.
We return eastwards to the idyllic Wicklow Mountains and one of Ireland's holiest centres, the monastery of St. Kevin at Glendalough - Glen of the Two Lakes. Our stay at this important site includes a visit to the medieval monastery and exploration of the 'deserts' (hermitages) of the Upper Lake, a fitting end to the tour before returning through the Wicklow Gap to Dublin and the point of departure.
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