We’ve been leading groups along St Declan’s Way for 5 years now and have shared this age-old pilgrim path with over 500 visitors from all corners of the globe. Australians, Spanish, Americans, Canadian, French, British, Irish all find a common humanity along the way. The pilgrim path has a way of slowing the pulse down and giving our lives the ‘re-boot’ it needs in a world that moves at pace. We find perspective… even peace. Glencairn Abbey breathes life into the pilgrim soul. Each day brings us home… as if for the very first time.

There’s something very unique about staying in an Irish Abbey. We hear the bells ring out at 4.15am calling the Sisters to prayer, we share a communal breakfast together, we join the Sisters in prayer in the morning and have chats with them over the few days as we enter a space we may not have known before. There’s something intangible in Glencairn that invites you deeper. Everything lands as it should, gently… kindly. Ethereal chant echoes through the mists of early dawn to awaken us from our slumber. The rising sun casts its crimson glow across this hallowed place. It is then you know you are not alone.

Glencairn Abbey

Glencairn Abbey is a community of Cistercian Sisters near Lismore in County Waterford. What makes it special are the Sisters. They greet us on arrival on the Sunday, they break from their daily chores to make sure we have all we need. There’s a warmth in each one of them that is genuine. Here, by the banks of the River Blackwater, these people walk humbly with their God. You wonder how they can let go, with such ease, of all that once defined them. Their calm repose and gentle smiles radiate from within. They have made their own way home.

We’ve crafted a unique Celtic Pilgrim Experience that blends shorter walks along iconic stretches of St Declan’s Way with a little adventure and more time to soak in the story and the beauty of the places we pass along the way. Every day along St Declan’s Way, our visitors can expect something totally different to what has gone before; a country trail along the Golden Vale as we start out, a riverside walk by the Suir the next, a mountain trail over the Knockmealdowns, leaving the dimmed enchantment of Lismore behind as we stroll out alongside the Blackwater the next, a cliff path on our arrival into Ardmore… with the beautiful surrounds of Glencairn Abbey to return to each evening.

St Declan’s Way echoes to the beat of times past. In the stillness of the morning, you hear the quiet murmurings of all who have passed this way before; Saints and kings, visionaries and paupers, farmers and fishermen all have left their imprint on the land. We arrive onto the beach in Ardmore all the better for the journey that has led us there. Here, by the shoreline, our steps merge with those who passed this way before. Beneath the lofty tower, we sense a satisfaction the world does not always offer. It lingers awhile long after the walking is over.

We are all custodians of something timeless in our midst. Our ancestors have left an indelible mark on the universe that we need to value now more than ever. At a time when many reach for the spiritual beyond the walls of old, we should seek out those sacred spaces that have been passed on to us by those who have walked this way before. Pilgrim places draw us deeper into the soul of our people. Our Celtic past has shaped who we have become. We must not forget.

Celtic Pilgrim Experience

We’ve added a unique ingredient to Our Celtic Pilgrim Experience along St Declan’s Way; a little adventure! Under the guidance of local kayaking expert Denis Murray, we give our feet a rest and let our arms do the work on one of the 5 days and enjoy a leisurely voyage down the River Blackwater from Ballyduff in West Waterford into Lismore. The view from beneath the castle is simply breath-taking. It’s amazing to think that it was here along this very river that pilgrims over the centuries made their way to Youghal Harbour before embarking on their voyage to Galicia to walk the Camino de Santiago. The rhythm of this day is very different to all that has gone before. There’s a timeless story here that is still being written.

There is something uniquely enchanting about Lismore that has to be experienced to be believed. We have learned not to rush our time here. Stay, soak in its story, its magic, its beauty. Before the kayak, our local guide Alice O’Donnoghue takes us along a breathtaking riverbank walk that leads us back through the woods into the old monastic citadel of St Carthage. Her passion for the place she calls ‘home’ connects us to the creative energy of the people who have shaped this town through the ages.

County Waterford, Lismore Castle and Gardens

No visit to the town would be complete without a visit to Lismore Castle and Gardens. The Castle retains its mystique, its mesmeric charm; its lofty walls privy to stories that remain untold. The river flows serenely below as if knowingly bowing to the many who have walked its banks before. After our bespoke garden tour, the Butler of the Castle calls out to see us and regales us with stories from people who have stayed in the castle over the years. Denis Nevin is one of a kind, exuding an old world decency that stays with us long after our visit is over.

We’ve been privileged to share this age-old pilgrim path with so many people over the past few years. Each person has their story, each person carries with them their own fair share of joys and worries. Unscripted moments help soothe the stirrings of the mind. It could be a chat along the way, a shared story few will ever hear, the microscopic beauty of the natural world and the spellbinding panoramas that open up before us… each drawing us deeper into the soul of Celtic Ireland.

Testimonials

Ruby’s review from her time with us last month captures the magic of it all. The way is carved out by the feet of all who leave their footprints in the land. Then and now become One. Step by step, we find our way… home.

This trip with Celtic Ways Ireland St Declan’s Way was far more than a tour – it was a soulful experience. Phil, Elaine, and their incredible team created something truly special: a journey rooted in simplicity, connection, and care. Every step invited us to slow down, to listen, and to feel. It was a trip about the simple life – walking ancient paths, sharing stories, and embracing the quiet beauty of the Irish landscape. It was about connecting with people—the sweet nuns who hosted our residence, the fellow travellers and the warm-hearted locals we met along the way. It was about history – not just learning it, but feeling it, touching it, and letting it speak to the present. And above all, it was about love: spiritual love, human kindness, and the deep care that Phil and Elaine infused into every detail. Thank you, Phil, Elaine and team, for your extraordinary attention, your generosity, and your open hearts. You didn’t just guide us – you welcomed us into something timeless. We’ll carry this experience with us always.

(Ruby, USA)

2026 Bookings – Limited Availability

Phil and Elaine are delighted to work closely with the Sisters at Glencairn Abbey to add 3 new dates for our Celtic Pilgrim Experience along St Declan’s Way in 2026:

• April 19th to 24th
• July 5th to 10th
• August 23rd to 28th

Spaces are limited to just 7 persons per group. For further information, check out https://celticwaysireland.com/saint-declans-way/

Email us directly at info@celticwaysireland.com