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Tochar Walks 2011
Saturday 28th May
Saturday 25th June
Reek Sunday 31st July
Saturday 27th August
Departing the Abbey at 8.30am
As you walk the Tóchar', whether on foot or in fantasy, you will be going not only on a spiritual pilgrimage, but on a cultural and historical journey down through the ages also. And both experiences, if fully entered into, should bring about the change of heart and insight of mind which is essential to a pilgrim's progress.
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Tóchar Phádraig predates Patrick. It was probably built around 350 A.D., and was the main route from Rath Cruachan, the seat of the kings of Connacht, to Cruachán Aigle, the mountain sacred to our pagan ancestors. Since Patrick's time, 441 A.D., it became a Christian pilgrim route and was known as Tóchar Phádraig or Patrick's Causeway.
Every tree, every stone, every hill and hollow along the way seemed to cry out with a story. For everything, it seemed, had been adopted into human history. The fields and rocks and streams had been the recipients of man's sweat and blood and tears they had been named and given identity by these same human events.
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'A Pilgrim Walk' - Elements of Pilgrimage
The 'Legends' erected along the way indicate that this walk also marks out our own 'Pilgrim Journey' as a people.
There are certain elements of Pilgrimage built into the walk and reminders of these are erected at certain places along the way. They distinguish the 'Pilgrim' from the 'Tourist'
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Penance - No complaining. Instead say "Thanks be to God"
Community - Include 'the stranger' in your group - No 'Cliques'
Faith - Light Candle as symbol of your faith before setting out
Mystery - Silence observed at certain designated parts of Tóchar.
Celebration - Share your Food, your Joy, your Love and your Care
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Booking
Contact: Ballintubber Abbey Trust
Ballintubber
Claremorris
Co Mayo
+353 94-9030934
Email info@ballintubberabbey.ie
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Registration : Before Setting out
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There are four official walks organised by the Abbey in June, July, August and December (Contact Office For Details) in which case a 'back up car' and transport back to the Abbey is provided. |
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Other walkers may organise their own groups but must comply with the following details |
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All walkers must sign up at Ballintubber Abbey or at the other designated Registration Centres - giving their names, addresses. A certain fee is charged to cover Insurance, Upkeep of Tóchar Walk. The fee is €10
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4. |
All walkers must read the regulations for walking the Tochar and agree to abide with them. |
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Walkers with poor health conditions or other health problems are advised that the Tochar Walk is strenuous and energy sapping. |
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Those under 18 years must be accompanied by adult (Health & Safety) |
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All walkers must sign a declaration, exempting Ballintubber Abbey Trust and farmers from liability, should a mishap or accident take place. |
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If there is no official guide someone in the group must assume leadership responsibility. |
It is requested that the person so delegated phone up the Abbey when the Tóchar Walk is completed - to indicate that all have arrived safely or to leave a message on answering machine to same effect.
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