Pilgrimage in Ireland
Ireland's pilgrimage routes are short but old and often lead to early Christian monasteries or sacred mountains. The best-known place is Croagh Patrick in the west, and if you walk the five Pilgrim Paths you can collect them in a pilgrim passport of their own. Expect changeable weather and take rain gear, even in summer.
7 routes in Ireland
| Route | Length | Duration | Difficulty | Best time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Declan's Way | around 96 to 111 km | about 5 days | moderate | May to September |
| St Finbarr's Pilgrim Path | around 37 km | 2 days | hard | May to September |
| St Kevin's Way | around 30 km | 1 to 2 days | moderate | Spring to autumn |
| Tóchar Phádraig | around 30 km | 1 to 2 days | moderate | May to September |
| Cosán na Naomh | around 18 km | 4 to 5 hours | moderate | May to September |
| Croagh Patrick | around 7 km there and back | 3 to 4 hours | moderate | May to September, Reek Sunday in July |
| Lough Derg | island pilgrimage, no walking route | 3 days | moderate | June to August |
Croagh Patrick
around 7 km there and back, 3 to 4 hours
St Kevin's Way
around 30 km, 1 to 2 days
Tóchar Phádraig
around 30 km, 1 to 2 days
St Declan's Way
around 96 to 111 km, about 5 days
Cosán na Naomh
around 18 km, 4 to 5 hours
St Finbarr's Pilgrim Path
around 37 km, 2 days
Lough Derg
island pilgrimage, no walking route, 3 days
Frequently asked questions
What pilgrimage routes are there in Ireland?
On this page you will find 7 routes and places in Ireland, for example Croagh Patrick, St Kevin's Way, Tóchar Phádraig, St Declan's Way, Cosán na Naomh, St Finbarr's Pilgrim Path, Lough Derg.
What is the longest pilgrimage route in Ireland?
Of the routes presented here, St Declan's Way is the longest: around 96 to 111 km, duration about 5 days.
What is the shortest pilgrimage route in Ireland?
The shortest here is Croagh Patrick at around 7 km there and back, duration 3 to 4 hours.