Pilgrims from Continental Europe to visit Carlow for Columbanus Weekend
Admiring the view from the Nine Stones viewing point along the Columban Way on the Blackstairs Mountains
CO CARLOW will play host to a major international celebration this July, when more than 250 visitors from France, Italy, Germany and Northern Ireland along with many more from local counties arrive for the 26th Columbanus Weekend from Friday 11 July to Sunday 13 July.
The gathering, part of a rotating European tradition, which sees Columbanus Day celebrated every second year outside Italy, honours the life and legacy of St Columbanus, a 6th century Irish missionary monk born in the shadow of Mount Leinster, who had a fundamental impact on European Christian heritage.
The weekend’s programme will highlight Carlow’s spiritual, cultural and historical connections to the saint, with events taking place in Carlow town and Myshall.
The recently established Columban Way, a 571km walking route inspired by Columbanus’s journey from Co Carlow to Bangor in Co Down, also features prominently.
On Saturday morning, pilgrims will walk a section of the route from the Nine Stones on Mount Leinster to Myshall, based on the theme of ‘Walking together in hope’.
Key events include:
launch of the exhibition ‘Ireland and the birth of Europe’ by Prof Dáibhí Ó Cróinín at Carlow County Museum; symposium at Carlow College: ‘If you want to know the Creator, understand creation’ (Columbanus, sermon 1); ecumenical evening prayer with the Columbanus relics in Myshall, followed by a ceremonial procession from the Adelaide Memorial Church to the Church of Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
pilgrim walk from the Nine Stones to Myshall on the Columban Way; address by former president Mary McAleese: ‘Columbanus, the man from Myshall’ in the Church of Exaltation of the Holy Cross; evening concert in the Cathedral of the Assumption followed by an Irish music night in Carlow town.
26th Columbanus Day Mass at the Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlw town, attended by religious leaders from throughout the island and continental Europe and civic authorities; closing pilgrim’s lunch at the Woodford Dolmen Hotel.
Bishop Denis Nulty, who was central in bringing the Columbanus Weekend to Carlow, remarked: “The Columbanus Weekend is, for the first time, being hosted in the Irish Republic. It’s an opportunity to place Myshall, the birthplace of Columbanus, alongside the St Gallens, the Bobbios and Luxeuils of this world.
“I welcome this opportunity to reintroduce St Columbanus to Carlow and Ireland, a saint who spent 48 years of his life on this island, with 24 years on mainland Europe. Our three-day festival comes in the middle of the Jubilee Year of Hope: may we be pilgrims of hope this July,” he said.
“The entire weekend brings with it enormous capacity to unite communities of different faiths and cultural traditions together, both in Ireland and across Europe, inviting all to explore Columbanus’s significance to our everyday lives. This weekend is a testimony to shared faith and friendship, and to Carlow’s growing role in spiritual and cultural tourism,” said Bishop Nulty.
Fr Pat Colgan of the Columban Fathers at Dalgan Park in Navan, Co Meath noted: “The Columbanus Weekend reminds us that the legacy of this great saint continues to foster unity and dialogue across nations. We are deeply grateful to the people of Carlow for embracing and hosting this important event.”
Cllr Fergal Browne, outgoing cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council, added: “The Columbanus Weekend can link Carlow in a very tangible way to our neighbours in Northern Ireland, the UK, France, Austria, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Germany, Switzerland and Italy. This weekend represents a really important step in the realisation of a much bigger vision for Carlow and Columbanus’s connection to Europe.”
Patsy McLean, chairperson of Friends of Ireland – Republic of Ireland, and chairperson of Myshall Muintir na Tíre, also stated: “St Columbanus’s message of peace and understanding is more relevant than ever. We are excited to welcome guests from across Europe to join together and walk in the footsteps of a true European pioneer.”
