Epic north-south cycling pilgrimage concludes in Mayo
The Raceface Group recently completed a remarkable 400km pilgrimage across Ireland, following St Patrick’s Way: A Pilgrim’s Journey.
The event, designed to raise funds for 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
The starting point was Strangford Lough, where the group visited the River Slaney, marking the location where St. Patrick made his historic return to Ireland in 432 AD.
This was one of many highlights in the early part of the journey.
A visit to one of Ireland’s oldest Christian sites – St. Tassach’s Church, Raholp – was the next highlight. This is where St. Patrick received his last rites, and it set a reflective tone for the journey.
The world’s largest statue of St. Patrick, a towering symbol of his enduring legacy in Ireland’s spiritual history, was visited next before the group stopped at Saul, home of the saint's first church, which features relics and intricate stained glass by Harry Clarke.
Struell Wells are sacred wells where St. Patrick prayed, and they offered a serene stop for the group to meditate and reflect.
A little further on, St. Patrick’s Centre is a museum dedicated to the saint’s life and legacy, providing deeper insight into his impact on the country.
The group paid tribute to St. Patrick at his final resting place, alongside SS Brigid and Columcille, at Down Cathedral and Patrick’s Grave.
After that the pilgrimage journeyed further west, visiting other iconic sites, such as the Anglican and Roman Catholic cathedrals in Armagh, marking the spiritual heart of St. Patrick's mission, and St. Patrick’s Well in Monaghan, which is believed to cure jaundice.
The Cathedral of St. Patrick and St. Felim in Cavan is a majestic ediface showcasing six windows by Harry Clarke and spiritual tributes to both saints.
The group also visited the ancient capital of Connacht, Rathcroghan in Co. Roscommon, and Knock in Co. Mayo, the site of the famous Marian apparition of 1879.
In the final stretch of the pilgrimage, the group visited Ballintubber Abbey and Aughagower, both deeply tied to St. Patrick’s legacy. The journey concluded with an ascent of Croagh Patrick, honoring the saint’s 40-day fast on the west Mayo mountain.
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 Ocean, symbolizing the completion of their journey across Ireland.
TRIBUTE
The Raceface Group’s pilgrimage was a powerful tribute to St. Patrick’s legacy and Ireland’s rich Christian history.
Through their physically demanding journey, participants not only raised essential funds for 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.
There was so much footage taken on the journey from the north to the west that a comprehensive video of all the sites along the route will be made. This could be a north-south Camino in the making.
Meanwhile, if you would like to help Westport Order of Malta secure a new ambulance, donations can still be accepted on GoFundMe.