05.11.2016
Come and Join Us Tomorrow for the Camino de Glendalough
The Diocesan Camino de Glendalough takes place tomorrow (Sunday November 6). All are welcome to join in whether you wish to take a gentle stroll around the Monastic City of Glendalough, undertake a 12 kilometre walk from the Wicklow Gap to Glendalough or hike the full 30 kilometres from St Kevin’s Church in Hollywood. Whichever journey you choose, you are invited to join in a short Service of Thanksgiving at the Upper Lake in Glendalough at 3.30 pm. You are free to join the Camino at any time during the day that suits you.
For those planning to start early there will be simultaneous services taking place at either end of St Kevin’s Way, in St Kevin’s Church in Hollywood and St John’s Church in Laragh, at 9.30 am.
A booklet will be provided to aid the journey and assist reflection on whatever route you choose. Pilgrims will also receive a special wrist band, a piece of fruit and water. These will be available in St Kevin’s Church at the service in the morning or all day in St John’s Church, which is acting as an information hub and meeting place for the entire day.
Following the morning service in Hollywood, pilgrims will have the choice of making the 30km journey by foot, bicycle or car. Those who travel by car will be able to stop at certain points in their journey where St Kevin’s Way meets the R756. Walkers should expect to take at least six hours to complete this route.Those attending St John’s, Laragh, on the day, will be provided with a booklet outlining walks around the Monastic City and along the Green Road. There will also be an opportunity to take a shorter walk along St Kevin’s Way from the Wicklow Gap to Glendalough. This is approximately 12km and will take approximately two hours to complete. A bus will be provided to take walkers to the Wicklow Gap at 11.00 am, 12.00 noon and 1.00 pm. There are many other opportunities for short walks in the area around the Monastic City. A bus will be available to bring people back to Hollywood at 4.00 pm after the service.
Information may be posted on our Facebook page during the day at www.facebook.com/DublinandGlendalough/ The detailed timetable for the day is below.
The weather on Sunday is due to be partly cloudy and cold with the forecast suggesting that temperatures will range between 0 and 4 degrees (https://www.yr.no/place/Ireland/Leinster/Vale_of_Glendalough/).
Dublin and Wicklow Mountain Rescue has advice for all venturing into the hills and mountains and urges people to do so with caution and with the correct equipment. Further information is available from their website www.dwmrt.ie/
The time table for the day is:
9:20am: St. Kevin’s Church, Hollywood – Pilgrims intending to complete the full St. Kevin’s Way of 30km will be sent out (?κβ?λλω) by Leonard Ruddock, following a time of prayer and blessing. Please note that the walk is expected to take approximately six hours.
9:30am: St Kevin’s Church, Hollywood – Service of Holy Communion
9:30am: St John’s Church, Laragh – Service of Holy Communion
10:30am: St Kevin’s Church, Hollywood – Pilgrims planning to walk from either Wicklow Gap or around Glendalough, are invited to make their way to St John’s Church, Laragh. A minibus will be on hand to take people to Wicklow Gap. Also, if needed, the minibus will drop people to the Holy City.
10:30am: St John’s Church, Laragh – Refreshments will be served following the service.
11:00am: St. John’s Church, Laragh – A minibus will take pilgrims to Wicklow Gap., where they will be able to take a two hour walk back to Glendalough along St Kevin’s way.
12 midday: St John’s Church, Laragh – A minibus will take pilgrims to Wicklow Gap where they will be able to take a two hour walk back to Glendalough along the St Kevin’s way.
1pm: St John’s Church, Laragh – A minibus will take pilgrims to Wicklow Gap., where they will be able to take a two hour walk back to Glendalough along the St Kevin’s way.
3:30pm: Upper Lake, Glendalough – Pilgrims are invited to gather for an outdoor service of thanksgiving and prayer.
4pm: Upper Lake, Car Park – A minibus will be available to take pilgrims back to Hollywood.
* Please feel free to Come & C at any time throughout the day. The key aim is to be at the Upper Lake at 3:30pm. * The minibus will be available to transport people from Laragh to Glendalough throughout the day.
Photo of Glendalough by the Revd Nigel Waugh.