This mountain in Mayo is closely associated with St Patrick, and is the scene of an annual pilgrimage that can trace its origins to pre-Christian Ireland.
Pilgrims traditionally walk barefoot to the top of the mountain, over sharp and unstable stone tracks, in the process gaining penitence.
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You can’t travel far in Ireland without coming across statues by the side of the road in Ireland. Some are single, but many are tableaux and are set in elaborate and well maintained surroundings.
The largest number are statues of Mary, most of which were originally erected during the Marian Year in 1938.
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The annual pilgrimage here each June is now a devoutly Christian event, but with origins that stretch back to pre-Christian Celtic Ireland.
It’s an area of astonishing natural beauty, so even if you are not there at the time of the pilgrimage is well worth visiting.
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The city of Kilkenny takes its name from this Cathedral, which was built during the early 13th century on the site of an earlier monastic settlement.
The story of Kilkenny is told inside in the graves of the people buried there, while outside the round tour is one of the few in Ireland that visitors can climb.
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Local lore has it that Christopher Columbus prayed in this church, located in Galway city centre, before leaving on the voyage that took him to America.
It’s been in both Protestant and Catholic hands at various times since it was established in 1320, but always at the heart of Galway life.
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This modern cathedral, completed in 1965, is to say the least eclectic in design, mixing Romanesque, Gothic and Moorish influences in a way that, somehow, works.
Inside there is some good church art and in particular lovely stained glass windows.
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For generations of Irish people this has been a place to retreat to, for prayer, fasting and pilgrimage. In spite of a changing world many people still make an annual visit.
Although the pilgrimage is a tough challenge, the location compensates somewhat. It’s an island set in a beautiful lake and surrounded by dramatic scenery.
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Knock is famed as the scene of an apparition of the Virgin Mary, St Joseph and St John the Evangelist and draws large numbers to prayer and pilgrimage.
While many people believe earnestly that an apparition took place in Knock, a more skeptical view also exists and some people believe the figures seen were projected onto a wall.
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Home to Franciscan Monks for almost 800 years, the town of Ennis in Ireland grew up around Ennis Friary which was once home to over 1000 monks and their followers.
Though ruined now, a visit still reveals much about the lives lived by the congregation of monks and their place in the community around them.
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