Slí Cholmcille begins today, the feast day of St Colmcille

Slí Cholmcille has kicked off today Friday, June 9, the feast day of St Colmcille and will trace the renowned Donegal saint’s steps across a number of important sites in the county.

Starting in Gleann Cholm Cille the walking group will proceed to Gartán and Cloich Chionnaola over four days, completing the event on Toraigh (Tory Island).

There has been renewed interest in Ireland’s pilgrimage routes in recent years and since the 1500th anniversary of Colmcille’s birth in 2020 walking groups have followed the Slí Cholmcille trail. This year’s event, however, will be the first to take place entirely through the Irish language.

Falcarragh native and mountain guide Séamus Ó Dúchoin, of Walking Donegal, will lead the group. The initiative has been organised by language planning districts, Gaeltacht cooperatives and tourism providers in collaboration with the Colmcille programme of Foras na Gaeilge, and in association with Slí Cholmcille CLG.

According to Rónán Ó Dochartaigh of Oideas Gael, “This kind of event showcases some of the best of what Donegal has to offer, with active participants immersed in the county’s beautiful landscape and engaging with our rich local heritage and traditions. It also comes about because of connections and cooperation among different Gaeltacht communities within Donegal.”

The four day walking package includes three nights bed and breakfast in Teach Jack in Gaoth Dobhair as well as lunch each day.