A group of former sportsmen from Mayo, under the name Raceface, are gearing up for a new challenge that blends spiritual adventure with history, deeply connecting them to Ireland’s rich heritage. The group is embarking on a unique cycling pilgrimage, tracing the footsteps of St. Patrick across Northern Ireland and Ireland. This epic journey, covering over 400 kilometers, is no ordinary cycle. It’s a challenging route that touches fourteen significant sites linked to St. Patrick, potentially paving the way for a future Irish Camino connecting the North and South of the country.
Cycling through the heart of Ireland’s spiritual and historical landscape, the Raceface group will visit key locations such as Saul, Downpatrick, and Armagh before tackling the final ascent up Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holiest mountain. Along the way, they will immerse themselves in the rich history, breathtaking scenery, and profound sense of accomplishment that comes from conquering St. Patrick’s Way.
This challenging route, stretching from County Down to County Mayo, highlights major sites in each county along the way, including:
- Strangford Lough, County Down: Where St. Patrick first arrived in Ireland.
- Saul, County Down: The site of St. Patrick’s first church and his burial place.
- St. Patrick’s Grave, County Down: The final resting place of the saint in Downpatrick.
- St. Patrick’s Cathedrals, County Armagh: The ecclesiastical capital of Ireland.
- Jaundice Well, Drumcru, County Monaghan: A historical well with ties to St. Patrick.
- Cathedral of Saint Patrick and Saint Felim, Cavan Town: A cathedral rich in religious history.
- Rathcroghan, County Roscommon: A site synonymous with the ancient kingship of Connacht.
In Mayo, the challenge continues with visits to:
- Knock: The site of the famous Marian apparition.
- Mayo Abbey: A historic site with links to early Christian Ireland.
- Clogher Forge: The starting point of the Clew Bay Heritage Trail.
- Ballintubber Abbey: Renowned as “the Abbey that refused to die,” linked to St. Patrick’s pilgrimage.
- Boheh Stone: An ancient site with views of Croagh Patrick.
- Kilgeever Abbey: A monastic site on the path to Croagh Patrick.
- Croagh Patrick: The mountain where St. Patrick fasted for 40 days and nights, marking the culmination of their journey.
In a special tribute, the Raceface group will retrace St. Patrick’s steps by cycling the 400 kilometers over two days, raising funds for the local Order of Malta, which is in dire need of a new ambulance.
2024 is the 80th year that the Order of Malta have provided medical support for events on Croagh Patrick so to honor this journey, the cyclists will collect a shell at Strangford Lough and a symbolic item from each site (hopefully some shamrock), bringing them to their final destination at Croagh Patrick as an offering to St. Patrick.
This pilgrim challenge is not for the faint-hearted and, as far as we know, has never been cycled before. It promises to highlight Ireland’s stunning beauty and offer a profound connection to its rich spiritual history.
For more information on how to support this incredible journey, please contact: info@raceface.ie
To donate to the Order of Malta: https://gofund.me/c48ff9a4
The challenge takes place on September 28th and 29th finishing with a hike up Croagh Patrick at approx 4pm on Sunday 29th, follow the team for live updates here: https://www.facebook.com/racefaceevents
