pilgrimage

pilgrimage, a phenomenon found in many religions, in Ireland should be viewed primarily in Christian terms. The early monks (e.g. Colum Cille, Columbanus, or Gall) saw themselves on ‘pilgrimage for Christ’ as penitents or missionaries. By c.750 such wandering, unfitted to newer church structures, was being criticized on the Continent as out of harmony with Benedictinism. It was also attacked in Ireland by the Céili Dé as a distraction from genuine fervour. While journeying as a specific religious activity ceased, the memory lived on in liturgy (Litany of the Pilgrim Saints) and religious imagination (the voyage stories or Immrama).

The other notion of pilgrimage (trip, short stay at the holy place, and return) can be seen in references to journeys to Rome and Jerusalem, as well as to more local sites (trips to holy wells, and the devotions/traditions attached, being the simplest form of pilgrimage). Of these, the two most famous invoke the Patrick legend: Croagh Patrick and Lough Derg. Pilgrimages of more recent origin (e.g. Knock) are connected with the cult of the Virgin Mary.

Thomas O'Loughlin