Name: The Marriage Course (online)
Start: 2026-01-06T00:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-01-06T23:59:59+01:00
Location: Online

In the footsteps of St Patrick – Carnmoney Parish Pilgrimage 2025

Monday November 10th 2025

The Carnmoney pilgrims at Inch Abbey.

A group of 11 people from Carnmoney Parish travelled to Crossgar in September for a pilgrimage following in the footsteps of St Patrick. This was Carnmoney’s third parish pilgrimage following earlier ones to Glendalough (St Kevin) and Kildare (St Brigid). Next year the pilgrims will head to Londonderry to learn about St Columba.

The following report of the 2025 pilgrimage has been submitted by Alfred Knox.

WORSHIP

Morning Worship was in the lounge at Tobar Mhuire Retreat and Conference Centre, Crossgar. A different person from the group led the worship each time. We also read a different Psalm each day. Andy [the rector, the Rev Andy Heber] provided a thought and a story about St Patrick.

Evening Prayer was also in the lounge at Tobar Mhuire. We had periods of silence to consider the Bible readings and an opportunity to share as a short phrase, one thing that had been special that day.

On Thursday afternoon, we had an outdoor service led by Andy, with the pilgrims in a circle giving thanks to our Lord for those who chanted psalms in Nendrum Monastery in times past.

On Thursday evening, in the Chapel at Tobar Mhuire, the pilgrims met and shared Holy Communion. The service was led by Andy and Carol [the Rev Carol Harvey]. We also had a time of communal healing holding each other’s hands.

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ST PATRICK

Monday September 22, we gathered at Inch Abbey, a peaceful and beautiful holy place, where we had our picnic lunch. Dan was our Guide through Down Museum, covering a wide span of Irish history. He also showed us the Old Gaol House.

At the Saint Patrick Centre.

On Tuesday we visited the St Patrick’s Centre, Down Cathedral, St Patrick’s Grave and Saul Church. Tim was our Guide in St Patrick’s Centre and to the dramatic life story of Saint Patrick as written in his Confession.

Clive was our Guide in Down Cathedral and gave his version of the Saint Patrick story and explained the design and history of Down Cathedral. We also stood in a circle around St Patrick’s grave listening to Tim explaining how St Patrick came to be buried there (and also St Brigid and St Columba).

A significant date is 432 AD when St Patrick landed at Saul to start his mission in Ireland. Andy led us in prayer and silent reflection in Saul Church. The church has a beautiful stained glass window featuring St Patrick.

Visiting Saul Church.

Wednesday was our ‘day off’ and we could select from different options.

Some of us went shopping in Newcastle.
Others enjoyed Castleward, the beautiful setting, and the amazing house and collecting many chestnuts
And some enjoyed walking or having a peaceful time at Kearney’s Point near Portaferry.

On Thursday September 25, we visited Ballydugan Viking Medieval Settlement, Struell Wells and Nendrum Monastic site.

We laughed and enjoyed longbow archery, watching the Vikings use their axes, swords, shields and spears. We also were shown examples of what their coins and jewellery looked like.

We were also told how over time the pagan symbols and jewellery changed to Christian crosses as the Vikings became Christian (which would have pleased St Patrick). We visited the healing Struell Wells where Saint Patrick had been to make a pagan site into a Christian one.

Learning the art of archery.

We had our outdoor service at Nendrum Monastic site. St Machaoi set up the Monastery in the 5th Century which has links to St Patrick.

After the Morning Worship on Friday, it was sadly time to leave Tobar Mhuire Retreat and Conference Centre or have a final walk in the beautiful grounds and leave our fellow pilgrims and head back home.

TOBAR MHUIRE CENTRE

The food was good at breakfast and excellent at dinner in Tobar Mhuire. The baked potatoes were a delight. On Tuesday, we also enjoyed dinner out at AJs Diner at Crossgar and on Wednesday at The Dufferin Arms in Killyleagh. We had exclusive use of the residents’ lounge with tea and coffee provided. We enjoyed the Prayer Garden for times of prayer and reflection and other walks in the grounds of Tobar Mhuire.

REFLECTION

The Rev Carol Harvey in Viking pose!

Some of the benefits of the pilgrimage are, as a small group, you can quickly gel together. You have an opportunity to participate in or lead worship and have shared experiences of the holy sites, and even of the fun and games in the evening.

We played the games (eg Charades, Green Bottles) as a group where everyone participated and laughed together. We were blessed with sunny weather, good food and health.

We all thoroughly benefited and enjoyed the pilgrimage. There were 11 pilgrims: Andy, Carol, Lynn, Robert, Ann, Alfred, Patricia, Jim, Heather, Joan and David.

Back to latest news