06.09.2017
2017 Camino de Glendalough – Pilgrim Passport Stamp Available
The 2017 Diocesan Camino de Glendalough will take place on Sunday September 10. This year, for the first time, those taking part who have Pilgrim Passports will be able to get their passports stamped with a Camino de Glendalough stamp to mark their witness on the day.
The day will start with a Service of Holy Communion and Pilgrim blessing in St Kevin’s Church in Hollywood at 9.00 am. There will be a service in St John’s Church in Laragh at 9.30 am. Pilgrims will be welcome to join the Camino at any point during the day. They can choose to take the full 30 kilometre pilgrimage following St Kevin’s Way from Hollywood in West Wicklow to Glendalough or a shorter route from the Wicklow Gap or they may follow the many pathways around the Monastic City.
Once again, St John’s in Laragh will act as a hub during the day with buses available to ferry people to the Wicklow Gap for the shorter 12 kilometre walk to Glendalough. Parking will be available in Laragh. Those following the full route on foot should expect to take at least six hours.
The day will conclude with a short service at the Upper Lake in Glendalough which will begin at 5.00 pm. Pilgrims who completed the full Camino de Glendalough can get their passports stamped at the service. There will be a bus to transport pilgrims back to Hollywood after the service.
Information may be posted on the Dublin & Glendalough Facebook page during the day and there will be updated information on the Camino de Glendalough page on the diocesan website.
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 first Camino de Glendalough took place last November and attracted pilgrims from all over Dublin & Glendalough and beyond. A special booklet was compiled to assist reflection during the day. It can be downloaded the Camino de Glendalough page on website.
The time table for the Camino de Glendalough 2017 is:
9:00 am: St. Kevin’s Church, Hollywood – Pilgrims intending to complete the full St. Kevin’s Way of 30km will be sent out by the Archdeacon of Glendalough, the Ven Ricky Rountree and the Rector of Blessington Union, the Revd Leonard Ruddock, following a time of prayer and blessing and a service of Holy Communion. Please note that the walk is expected to take approximately six hours.
9:30am: St John’s Church, Laragh – Service of Holy Communion
10:30am: 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.
11:00 am, 12 midday, 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm: 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.
5.00pm: Upper Lake, Glendalough – Pilgrims are invited to gather for an outdoor service of thanksgiving and prayer. A minibus will be available to take pilgrims back to Hollywood after this service.
* Please feel free to join at any time throughout the day. The key aim is to be at the Upper Lake at 5.00pm. * The minibus will be available to transport people from Laragh to Glendalough throughout the day.