pilgrim's progress, Castlebaldwin, Sligo
6 August 2007: pilgrim's progress
A 2 WEEK LONG PILGRIMAGE 250km in length, a cirucular round of extraordinary nature and myriad interaction with religious and spiritual experience in NORTH WEST IRELAND see flyer www.gyreum.com/documents/PILGRIMPROGRESSFLYER.pdf
PILGRIM'S PROGRESS
Monday 6 - Sunday 19 August, 2007
"My heart was set on seeing this Purgatory of Patrick rather than merely hearing about it from many and diverse Knights."
Ramon Perellos
THE SUBSTANCE OF THE PILGRIM PROGRESS
Imagine what possesses people to go do the Camino Santiago - tradition - adventure - redemption - camaraderie. They have had 1000 years of people treading a path toward the Shrine of St James. This is Ireland's answer to the Camino, an eclectic Pilgrim circuit that embraces all faiths and none
In the North West of Ireland, snug in the mountains lies one of the most renowned pilgrim sites of Medieval Europe, a place that inspired Dante's Divine Comedy, a reputed entry point into the Underworld.
People from across Europe for 700 years have been coming to STATION ISLAND on LOUGH DERG. They have endured great suffering to reach this place, but seem to return to the world renewed.
This tiny island on a tiny-turf coloured lake is one of the three prime pilgrim sights in Ireland and it is once again to become a focus for pilgrimage - albeit an eclectic 21st century procession
PILGRIM'S PROGRESS is a fortnight's movement, starting out from The Gyreum, 'Ireland's quirkiest ecolodge,' winding its way through marshes, lakes, islands, over heath and bog, steep hills, by quiet rills, through driving rain and blasts of sun - through 6 counties, a full soul discovering circuit.
This is a modern yet ancient pilgrim route to vie with Spain's, Camino Santiago. Its lanes and highways takes the Traveller through perils, joys, the despond of drizzle, miseries, great vistas hailed on hilltops, hopelessness, cloud clearances, the sheer wind of a full Atlantic gale; a journey made bearable by sharing the good and bad times with fellow pilgrims and the consolation of warm rest in 11 extremely eclectic hosting stops at the close of day.
Of essential importance to this pilgrimage are the night stops - which are chosen for their extraordinary atmosphere, beauty and loyalty to the aspirations of sustainable ecology and for their spiritual raison d'etres.
The pilgrim circuit moves over ever changing landscapes that suits the notion of the Pilgrim's moving through different moods, psychic spaces - and unlike normal tourism - no assumed joy is guaranteed, simply a rigorous challenge, a chance to view life anew.
First night at the hobbit like cairn The Gyreum and there to Europe's most westerly Templar Preceptory, on to the Celtic Hermits' dens, the Anglican Cub Scouts House, to Benwisklin, the Amusements of Bundoran and to the shores of St. Colmcille's lake to St. Patrick's Purgatory on Station Island in the dark waters of LOUGH DERG and after two nights of fasting and deliria a conclusive slap up meal aboard a lake boat south along Lough Erne toward Inish Rath, to be immersed in Vedic garlands to the Tibetan Buddhists to some fathoming of Goddess worship, to the Poor Clares, to the Sweat Lodges of Leitrim and back to ground zero, to yourself.
The focal, folk and mythic point of this Pilgrimage is Lough Derg. However this is a Pilgrim Circle, mirroring as it does many Hindu pilgrimages, that are so often round. We therefore encompass other diverse worlds that might allow the mind to react and jump some.
PILGRIM'S PROGRESS seeks to revamp the vision-quest spirit of the original medieval pilgrimage. The intrepid knights, the holy and the wretched who made their long trips from Europe often in the depths of winter ‘seeking proof of the Other World,' march again.
'It was to avoid meeting death "unprepared" that so many flocked to St. Patrick's Purgatory'
TERMS & CONDITIONS APPLY
Peter of Cornwall: "few leave the Purgatory without some debility or loss of mind."
Hopefully not ..... however, you are advised that this would be classified as 'moderate' in walking terms, i.e. relatively easy routes but long days on foot. This is not a stroll in the park so a reasonable level of fitness and very well broken-in footwear are a must. Guides are trained in first aid - plasters, foot cream and sympathy will all be on hand.
We are very grateful that so many faiths are opening their doors to us and sharing their beliefs with us along the route so an open mind is obligatory as well as sensitivity for the people and traditions you will meet along the way. www.gyreum.com/events.html
OUTeverywhere member organiser
This event has been added to the OUTeverywhere calendar by Ferdio X from Ireland area.
I am 36 years old, make documentaries and run an alternative & extraordinary green hostel, sorta potential spiritual centre in Sligo in North West Ireland. I grew up in Dublin, did time in London & rural Italy and France and my doco work takes me round the world. I am manic, loving and love new missions. I am handsome fit and bright. Seeking someone to share this mad platter of a life I have invented.
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