Project board has been established for the Slí Cholmcille venture

For centuries pilgrims have followed the holy footsteps of religious visionaries around the world in search of their own spiritual enlightenment.

One of the most influential figures to spread Christianity was Saint Columba or Colmcille, a 6th century Donegal monk who was born in Gartan in 521 AD and later travelled extensively throughout Ireland and Scotland establishing monasteries while spreading the word of Christ.

And now the pilgrimages, paths and major sites associated with his incredible story are being connected.

His life has been the inspiration for the Slí Cholmcille Project. It is a proposed 250 km pilgrimage route linking key Colmcille-related sites across Donegal and Derry, with the ambition to link across Northern Ireland to Scotland.

Slí Cholmcille, or St Columba’s Way, is a new, exciting and ambitious pilgrimage close to home, a getaway to some of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring parts of the world. Setting off with just a backpack, Slí Cholmcille is a journey back to the past to seek answers for the future.

It looks like the plan to develop the idea is taking shape.

Donegal County Council is leading the feasibility assessment with partners Derry City & Strabane District Council and Slí Cholmcille CLG.

A project board has been established and a scoping study, business case, and economic appraisal were scheduled to be procured last month.

Scoping will include route development and identification of capital infrastructure and marketing requirements.