The Camino Portugués, St Olav’s Way in Norway, or St Cuthbert's Way in Northumbria are contemporary quests in which people intentionally challenge themselves to reach a specific place. Moreover, an aspect of the journey is sharing with strangers, allowing different motivations to intermix and add to the vibrancy of pilgrimage. These elements blend to make pilgrimage a different form of trekking, a different type of journey. Regardless, thousands of Irish people will undertake pilgrimages in 2026 adding new meanings to old routes. Dr Richard Scriven is a geographer in UCC who researches pilgrimage, heritage, and human rights.

Source: Irish Examiner January 02, 2026 01:03 UTC