Brigid's Way Pilgrimage Walk (Faughart to Dundalk)

The Brigid of Faughart walk is Day 1 of the Brigid’s Way Celtic Pilgrimage and the organisers describe it as an annual event held in early February each year, walked on St Brigid’s feast day. The 2026 walk ran on 1 February from 10am sharp to 2pm, and the same feast day in 2027 falls on Monday, 1 February. The route goes from Faughart, Brigid’s birthplace, to Dundalk by way of the Lisnawilly meadows.

What to expect

The walk starts at St Brigid’s Holy Well on the Hill of Faughart, where the route leads down to her shrine and the ancient stones. From there walkers meander in company through Kilcurry and Toberona, and the day finishes by crossing countryside meadows to Brigid’s stream in Sally Cox’s Lisnawilly Estate on the edge of Dundalk.

There is ritual and ceremony along the way, including a Brigid water blessing, along with storytelling of her myths and legends and the history of this part of Ireland’s Ancient East. The guides are Dr Karen Ward, who rediscovered the route with Dolores Whelan, founder of the Brigid of Faughart festival, and Siobhán Madden, an eco-artist and nature trail facilitator.

The terrain is undulating paths, ending in grassy meadow. The organisers ask walkers to bring a packed lunch, all-weather clothing and hiking or walking shoes, and warn that it gets muddy.

Getting there

The walk starts at the Upper Faughart carpark, which is 2 km from the shrine and is signposted. Faughart is just north of Dundalk, Co. Louth. Check brigidsway.ie for the starting point details and the route map before you travel, and to confirm the 2027 date.

While you’re in Dundalk

The walk finishes on the edge of Dundalk, the county town, which has plenty of places to eat once you are off the hill. There is more to see around Co. Louth.

Good to know

• Date and time: 10am sharp to 2pm. The walk is held annually in early February; St Brigid’s Day 2027 is Monday, 1 February.
• Start point: Upper Faughart carpark, 2 km from the shrine and signposted.
• Price: €25, including storytelling, ceremony and ritual. The money goes towards the upkeep of the Brigid’s Way Pilgrimage and the Brigid of Faughart Festival.
• Booking: Details and booking through brigidsway.ie.
• Bring a packed lunch, all-weather clothing and walking shoes.
• Details from the Brigid’s Way one day walks page, checked 14 September 2026.