Raceface Group Completes 400km Pilgrimage, Raising Funds for Westport Order of Malta
The Raceface Group recently completed a remarkable 400km pilgrimage across Ireland, following Saint Patrick’s Way: A Pilgrim’s Journey. The event, designed to raise funds for the Westport Order of Malta, combined physical endurance with spiritual reflection as participants visited significant historical and religious sites along the route. The journey also garnered attention through a series of social media clips filmed at each stop, helping to spread awareness and support for the fundraising cause.
In a powerful display of unity, two cyclists from Crossgar Cycling Club, Downpatrick, joined the group, turning the pilgrimage into a true north-south initiative. Their involvement emphasized the event’s collaborative spirit, strengthening the bond between participants from different regions of Ireland and showcasing the island’s shared cultural and spiritual heritage.
Highlights of the Pilgrimage:
- Strangford Lough (0K): The starting point, where the group visited the River Slaney at Strangford Lough, marking the location where Saint Patrick made his historic return to Ireland in 432 AD.
- Saint Tassach’s Church, Raholp: A visit to one of Ireland’s oldest Christian sites, where Saint Patrick received his last rites, set a reflective tone for the journey.
- Saint Patrick’s Statue (3.1K): The world’s largest statue of Saint Patrick, a towering symbol of his enduring legacy in Ireland’s spiritual history.
- Saul (4.6K): Saint Patrick’s first church, featuring relics and intricate stained glass by Harry Clarke, continued the exploration of his early missionary work.
- Struell Wells (8K): Sacred wells where Saint Patrick prayed, offering a serene stop for the group to meditate and reflect.
- St. Patrick’s Centre (11.5K): A museum dedicated to Saint Patrick’s life and legacy, providing deeper insight into his impact on Ireland.
- Down Cathedral and Patrick’s Grave (12K): The group paid tribute to Saint Patrick at his final resting place, alongside Saints Brigid and Columcille.
Continuing Westward:
The pilgrimage journeyed further west, visiting other iconic sites, such as:
- Armagh Cathedrals (89K): A visit to both the Anglican and Roman Catholic cathedrals in Armagh, marking the spiritual heart of Saint Patrick’s mission.
- Saint Patrick’s Well, Monaghan (130K): A well believed to cure jaundice, linked to one of Saint Patrick’s legends.
- Cathedral of Saint Patrick and Saint Felim (162K): A majestic cathedral showcasing six windows by Harry Clarke and spiritual tributes to both saints.
The group also visited the ancient capital of Connacht, Rathcroghan (245K), and Knock (296K), the site of the famous Marian apparition of 1879.
Final Stages:
In the final stretch of the pilgrimage, the group visited Ballintubber Abbey (329K) and Aughagower (343K), both deeply tied to Saint Patrick’s legacy. The journey concluded with an ascent of Croagh Patrick, honoring the saint’s 40-day fast.
The pilgrimage ended at Murrisk Abbey, with the ceremonial Dipping of the Wheels, where participants dipped one wheel in the Irish Sea and the other in the Atlantic, symbolizing the completion of their journey across Ireland.
The Raceface Group’s pilgrimage was a powerful tribute to Saint Patrick’s legacy and Ireland’s rich Christian history. Through their physically demanding journey, participants not only raised essential funds for the Westport Order of Malta but also emphasized the power of unity, faith, and community. With the participation of the Crossgar cyclists from Downpatrick and locals along the route the pilgrimage became a symbol of collaboration and solidarity across the island. This event will be remembered not just for its fundraising achievements but for its role in bringing people together on a shared spiritual mission.
Future Camino:There was so much footage taken on the journey from North to the West that a comprehensive video of all the sites along the route will be made, watch this space. This could be a North South Camino in the making. For anyone who still wants to donate click here: Support the Order of Malta’s fundraiser for a new ambulance. https://www.gofundme.com/f/v9tz2-help-westport-order-of-malta-replace-their-ambulance?lang=en_IE&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link
