About – Pilgrimageisleofman

ABOUT US

THANK YOU for visiting the Pilgrimage Isle of Man website
which is kindly supported by

We are an “umbrella” group drawing together local heritage, tourism and faith groups whose passion it is to see the visual and historical treasures of the Isle of Man discovered, explored and – most importantly – enjoyed.

Partners include the organisers of Praying the Keeills Week, Manx National Heritage and Cathedral Isle of Man, plus Manx-born Dr Avril Maddrell, Associate Professor in Human Geography.

We have launched Pilgrimage Isle of Man with two walks – THE TRISKELION WAY and the RAAD NY FOILLAN. In due course, we’ll add extra information about places of interest to be explored and enjoyed by diverting just a short way from the main trails.

The CROSSROADS trail is designed to be followed by car, by cyclists, or by using public transport.

We will soon be adding a rich treasury of material for meditation – from sources including the Celtic Saints and Manx National Poet T.E. Brown – we hope these will be of interest to those following the routes to make an actual spiritual pilgrimage, as well as to those making an “armchair pilgrimage” by browsing the photographs on this site.

The launch of Pilgrimage Isle of Man took place on Saturday 10 September 2016 – starting in warm autumn evening sunshine on St Patrick’s Isle, with a ‘Journey of Reflection’ led by Rt Rev’d Robert Paterson, Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man at that time. This was followed by a pilgrims walk from St Patrick’s Isle to the Cathedral Isle of Man in the heart of present-day Peel, where Manx Gaelic singer/songwriter Ruth Keggin and her band led a ‘Journey of Discovery’ through original Manx music and song.

Here are images, and some of the thoughts and prayers used during the Journey of Reflection on St Patrick’s Isle

A short pilgrimage around the sacred sites of St Patrick’s Isle

A Journey of Discovery with Manx Gaelic singer and musician Ruth Keggin and her band – David Pearce, Vanessa Hutchinson and Isla Callister-Wafer.

You are the peace of all things calm
You are the place to hide from harm
You are the light that shines in dark
You are the heart’s eternal spark
You are the door that’s open wide
You are the guest who waits inside
You are the stranger at the door
You are the calling of the poor
You are my Lord and with me still
You are my love, keep me from ill
You are the light, the truth, the way
You are my Saviour this very day
(Celtic oral tradition – 1^st millennium)

PRAYER IN SIX DIRECTIONS Pilgrims turn to face each direction

We turn to the EAST and face the rising sun. God is praised for the gift of new life, of new days, of youth, of beginnings

Turning towards the SOUTH, thanks are given for those people, events and things which warm our lives and help us grow and develop

The sun sets in the WEST, and so we praise God for sunsets, nights – for the endings in our lives.

As we face the NORTH, we remember the challenges and difficulties in life.

Bending down to touch mother EARTH, we praise the Creator for the things which sustain our lives.

Finally, as we gaze in to the SKY, we thank God for our hopes and dreams.

Margret Hallgrimsdottir (Director – National Museum of Iceland) and Steinar Bjerkestrand (Director – Restoration of St Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim, and The St Olav Ways) pictured here with the Rt Rev Robert Paterson, Bishop of Sodor and Man, and Dr Avril Maddrell

Margret Hallgrimsdottir and Steinar Bjerkestrand at Lag ny Keeilley