Mayo group completes St Patrick's Way pilgrimage

The Raceface Group from Mayo recently completed a remarkable 400 kilometre pilgrimage across Ireland, following St Patrick’s Way.

The event, designed to raise funds for the Westport Order of Malta, combined physical endurance with spiritual reflection as participants visited significant historical and religious sites along the route. The journey also garnered attention through a series of social media clips filmed at each stop, helping to spread awareness and support for the fundraising cause.

In a powerful display of unity, two cyclists from Crossgar Cycling Club, Downpatrick, joined the group, turning the pilgrimage into a true north-south initiative. 

_{The Raceface Group at Sliabh Patrick}

Their involvement emphasized the event's collaborative spirit, strengthening the bond between participants from different regions of Ireland and showcasing the island's shared cultural and spiritual heritage.

Beginning with a group visit to the River Slaney at Strangford Lough in Wicklow, this marked the location where St Patrick made his historic return to Ireland in 432 AD.

From here, the group stopped at Saint Tassach’s Church before heading to St Patrick’s Statue, the world’s largest statue of St Patrick. 

The group made numerous other stops including St Patrick’s Centre, Armagh Cathedrals, Knock, Ballintubber Abbey, and Aughagower before concluding the journey with an ascent of Croagh Patrick and a ceremonial Dipping of the Wheels at Murrisk Abbey.

At the ceremony, participants dipped one wheel in the Irish Sea and the other in the Atlantic, symbolizing the completion of their journey across Ireland.

The Raceface Group’s pilgrimage was a powerful tribute to Saint Patrick’s legacy and Ireland’s rich Christian history. Through their physically demanding journey, participants not only raised essential funds for the Westport Order of Malta but also emphasized the power of unity, faith, and community. The event will be remembered not just for its fundraising achievements, but for its role in bringing people together on a shared spiritual mission.

For anyone who would like to donate to support the Order of Malta’s fundraiser for a new ambulance, see the GoFundMe page.