Each of Ireland's pilgrim paths is an ancient tochar ('camino' or causeway) into the world of Celtic spirituality. In this walking-pace travelogue, set against a backdrop of spectacular scenery in every corner of Ireland, Darach MacDonald, a modern-day pilgrim, recounts his trials and tribulations following in the footsteps of the ancients along prescribed paths, ranging from hikes of a few hours' duration to day-long treks and the three-day ordeal in St Patrick's Purgatory.

This is an exploration of the magical soul of Celtic Christianity, written from the perspective of a struggling, 'a la carte' Irish Catholic, 'who could be best described as a healthy sceptic in matters of belief'. The result is a narrative that is at times uplifting and at times uncomfortable, but always engaging and honest. While there are pilgrimage prayers along the tochar, as well as historical background on the places once revered throughout Christendom, there are also pints in pleasant pubs and a diverse range of literary references, anecdotes and personal reflections on faith, morality and religious practice, offered in a spontaneous and unselfconscious spirit.

About the Author

Darach MacDonald has been a professional journalist since 1976, working throughout Ireland, Europe and in Canada and closing his full-time newspaper career as editor of the award-winning Ulster Herald. In 2015, he was conferred with a PhD by Ulster University (Magee) for research on a frontier Ulster loyalist marching band, having completed his MA thesis on the Irish Boundary Commission almost forty years previously at University College Dublin. His previous books include The Sons of Levi (1998); The Chosen Fews: Exploding Myths in South Armagh (2000); Blood & Thunder: Inside an Ulster Protestant Band (2010); and Hard Border: Walking through a Century of Partition (2018). A native of Clones, a proud father and very soon-to-be grandfather, he now lives in the border city of Derry.

Book Information
ISBN 9781848407787
Author Darach MacDonald
Format Paperback
Page Count 320
Imprint New Island Books
Publisher New Island Books