Brigid’s Way campaign seeks recognition of Louth pilgrimage route

As Brigid’s Day approaches, a growing public campaign is calling for greater recognition, protection and practical support for Brigid’s Way, a long-established pilgrimage route grounded in Ireland’s indigenous spiritual traditions, stretching from Faughart, Co. Louth, to Kildare.

An Uplift petition, titled “We Have Brigid’s Day Let’s Sign Brigid’s Way”, is urging County Councils, Ireland’s Ancient East, Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development to provide funding and commission a feasibility study for Brigid’s Way. 

The petition calls for the development of signage along the route, supported by a dedicated map and digital app, to make the pilgrimage accessible, safe and sustainable for walkers.

While Brigid’s Day is now a national public holiday, supporters point out that the ancient route connecting Brigid’s landscape remains without signage and is under-resourced. In contrast, Brigid’s Way’s brother pilgrimages, including St Kevin’s Way, St Declan’s Way, Croagh Patrick and other long established Irish pilgrimage routes, have been clearly signed and supported for many years.

Campaigners believe that with modest investment and coordinated support, Brigid’s Way will take its rightful place alongside the other recognised pilgrimage routes, offering significant cultural, community and sustainable tourism benefits across Louth, Meath and Kildare.

Brigid’s Way traces a sacred pathway through the Irish landscape, linking holy wells, rivers, hills and sites long associated with Brigid as both goddess and saint. Rooted in the seasonal festival of Imbolg, the pilgrimage offers a living connection to Irish heritage, land and cultural memory.

The route has been co-developed and sustained since 2013 by Dr Karen Ward, pilgrimage leader, who has worked for many years with Brigid’s ancient traditions.

“Brigid’s Way already exists in the land and in the memory of the people,” says Karen. “What is needed now is the same level of care, recognition and practical support that has been given to other Irish pilgrimage routes, so that this path can be safely walked and shared into the future.”

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Supporters of the petition are encouraged to sign and also to walk Brigid’s Way, whether by undertaking the full pilgrimage themselves or joining shorter ‘led’ sections of their one day walks initiative and local events. Information on the route, its background, walking stages and community involvement is available on the Brigid’s Way website.

To sign the petition, learn more about Brigid’s Way, or get involved in upcoming walks, visitBrigid’s Way website https://brigidsway.ie

Uplift petition https://my.uplift.ie/petitions/we-have-brigid-s-day-let-s-sign-brigid-s-way