The landscape of Ireland is rich with ancient carved stone crosses, tomb-shrines, Romanesque churches, round towers, sundials, beehive huts, Ogham stones and other monuments, many of them dating from before the 12th century. The purpose and function of these artifacts have often been the subject of much debate. Peter Harbison proposes in this book a radical hypothesis: that a great many of these relics can be explained in terms of ecclesiastical pilgrimage. He has constructed a fascination theory about the palace of pilgrimage in the early Christian period, placing it right at the center of communal life. The monuments themselves make much better sense if it looked at in this light—as having come into existence not through the practices of ascetic monks but because of the activities of pilgrims. He begins by searching the historical sources in detail for evidence of early pilgrimage sites. By examining their monuments he projects the findings to other locations where pilgrimage has not been documented. He goes on to describe monument-types of every kind and to identify pilgrims in sculpture surviving from before AD 1200. The Dingle Peninsula in Kerry proves to be a microcosm of pilgrimage monuments, enabling the author to reconstruct a tradition of maritime pilgrimage activity up and down the west coast of Ireland. Indeed, the famous medieval traveler's tale of the fabulous voyage of the St Brendan the Navigator can now be seen as the literary expression of a longstanding maritime pilgrimage along the Atlantic seaways of Ireland and Scotland, reaching Iceland, Greenland, and even North America.

In recent times the popularity of the Camino de Santiago has prompted renewed interest in pilgrim walks in Ireland. Increasing numbers now follow ancient Irish pilgrim paths to such holy places as Glencolumbkille, Croagh Patrick, Lough Derg and Glendalough. John G. O'Dwyer has walked - or, in the case of Clonmacnoise, cycled - the pilgrim trails of Ireland, from Slieve Mish in the northeast, where Christianity may have had its first dawning in Ireland, to Skellig Michael in the southwest, where the known world once ended. Each walk description has directions, the degree of difficulty, estimated time and a map. The paths are varied and suited to a range of abilities, from casual ramblers to committed walkers. In each route the author recounts his feelings and experiences, and describes the entertaining and insightful characters he meets along the way.

This pocket-sized informative travel guide is a companion to the principal Celtic sites in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Comprehensive both in content and detail, the places featured include: Scotland - Iona, Whithorn, Melrose; England - Lindisfarne, Whitby, Jarrow, Ripon, Lichfield, Old Sarum, Glastonbury, Tintagel, Canterbury, Lullingstone; Wales - Bardsey and the Llyn Peninsula, St Winifred's Well, St David's, Lantwit Major; and Ireland - Skellig Michael, Glendalough, Kells, Kildare, Slane Hill and Tara. The stories of the saints associated with these and other places are retold for today's visitors and pilgrims, along with quotations, prayers and readings from the Celtic era. Practical information is also given, plus maps, illustrations and suggestions of other places to visit nearby. An introduction explains the significance of pilgrimage to these places both in Celtic times and in the present day.

I am proud to know the author of this book, which is the best I have ever seen on the Rosary. Greg spent many years studying about the Rosary. His description of the Fifteen Mysteries is the best I have ever seen. As a boy I prayed three Rosaries each day, and still do. For years I have given away 1,000 Rosaries each month. Now I am thrilled to send copies of this book to as many people as possible. - Daniel Lyons, The Spiritual Newsletter My dear friends, over the years I have given prayer to this writing. I would like to say that I have reached spiritual heights, but I have not. I would like to claim a perfect Christian life, but I am still growing. I want to say I pray the Rosary perfectly and have achieved a deep union with God, but I am still maturing. However, I have learned to walk with God and continually ask him to keep working with me (Mk. 16:20). For me, the Rosary has made me a better Christian, more Christ-like, a little more understanding about life and people. I look at this writing the same way the little child in the Scriptures looked at his five loaves and two fish he gave the Lord. It is a small offering (John 6:9ff).

Pope John Paul II redefined the role of the papacy as an active, living presence in the lives of the diverse faithful worldwide. He accomplished this in part through the remarkable breadth of his travels, visiting every continent around the globe. In the course of an unprecedented 85 trips—with stops to lands rich and poor, at peace and strife-torn—he shared his universal message of joy, hope, and comfort. This powerful collection of over 175 of his most compelling messages is presented in chronological order around the three themes that mark the progression of his papacy: "Evangelization and Global Politics," "Solidarity and Unity," and "New Evangelization: Toward the Millennium and Beyond." Introductory notes clarifying the time and context for each selection further enhance this inspiring volume.

Pilgrimage in the Western world is enjoying a growing popularity, perhaps more so now than at any time since the Middle Ages. The Pilgrim Journey tells the fascinating story of how pilgrimage was born and grew in antiquity, how it blossomed in the Middle Ages and faltered in subsequent centuries, only to re-emerge stronger than before in modern times. James Harpur describes the pilgrim routes and sacred destinations past and present, the men and women making the journey, the many challenges of travel, and the spiritual motivations and rewards. He also explores the traditional stages of pilgrimage, from preparation, departure, and the time on the road, to the arrival at the shrine and the return home. At the heart of pilgrimage is a spiritual longing that has existed from time immemorial. The Pilgrim Journey is both the colourful chronicle of numerous pilgrims of centuries past searching for heaven on earth, and an illuminating guide for today's spiritual traveller.

A fully documented history of Ireland and the Irish from the fifth to the ninth centuries.

Many people have heard of the Camino de Santiago, the network of pilgrim trails in Spain that leads to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, northwest Spain. Just about ninety kilometers west is a point on the Iberian Peninsula, the furthest western point on the European continent, or the end of the earth. The famous pilgrim trails that crisscross Europe leading to these points are called Caminos. Some people have walked them. Even more have considered walking one or more. Still others, fascinated by the adventure, cannot walk a Camino but enjoy hearing stories of others who have done so. If you find yourself in any of these three categories, you will enjoy this book. Book five in this "The End of the Earth" series continues the stories. There is much more to walking a Camino than just walking. It is the beginning of the journey of a lifetime. There is so much to learn about yourself, your relations, your life, and your world. It all begins with that first step. But be aware, there is no end. Once you begin your Camino, you are a pilgrim for life, a Perpetual Pilgrim.