Ireland West Camino - The Tóchar 

The Tóchar Phádraig is a ±3,500-year-old Irish walking pilgrimage from Rathcroghan (Cruachan Aí) to Croagh Patrick (also known as the Reek or Cruachán Aigle)- the holiest mountain in Ireland. The 187-km (116-mile) pilgrim's path can be traced back to a Bronze Age pilgrimage way (or older, some oral sources have mentioned as old as 4,500 years) that passes hundreds of sacred sites in County Roscommon, County Sligo, and County Mayo. The Christian and pre-Christian Tóchar winds by cashels, holy wells, fairy hills, standing stones, ancient ruins, abbeys, loughs, forests, bogs, and gorgeous mystical sites, ending in newly proposed UNESCO geopark in the Connemara: Joyce Country & Western Lakes Geopark.

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According to legend, this pilgrim's path was walked by St. Patrick in the 5th century AD, though it had been utilized as a pre-Christian pilgrim's path and royal road in Connacht as far back as the Bronze Age.  The Christian utilization of the Tóchar Phádraig is thus 500 years older than the Camino de Santiago, though fell into disuse post-Cromwell era.  The incredible Celtic revival helped to restore the first section (1/2-day walk) of the pilgrimage beginning in 1903 with the combined efforts of Fr Michael McDonald, Fr. John Healy, and Fr Angelus - establishing a 7km pilgrimage that yearly attracts over 100,000 pilgrims and hikers.  The pilgrim's path was further extended in the late 1980's by Fr Frank Fahey to a length of 35km and beginning at Ballintubber Abbey.  The establishment of the Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail in 2009 added an additional 28km to the restoration of the tóchar, bringing the current trail start to the village of Balla (and now to Knock), and providing an alternate route to the top of Croagh Patrick.

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The Ireland West Camino now begins at Rathcroghan and will be waymarked by County Mayo and likely County Roscommon in the near future, perhaps before summer of 2025.  The pilgrim's route give pilgrims two choices when beginning at Rathcroghan: the Northern route (9 stages) and the Southern route (8 stages).  A stage is defined as a walking day of varying length, which will be familiar for pilgrims who have walked the Camino de Santiago or others.  The route is also being explored this winter to begin at the Irish Sea and walk from east to west across the heart of Ireland.  For the Northern route (County Roscommon, County Sligo, and County Mayo), the 9 stages are:

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1. Stage 1 - Rathcroghan to Ballinameen - 10.7 miles / 17.2 km

2. Stage 2 - Ballinameen to Monasteraden - 10.5 miles / 16.8 km

3. Stage 3 - Monasteraden to Kilmovee - 10.1 miles / 16.2 km

4. Stage 4 - Kilmovee to Aghamore - 11.8 miles / 19.0 km  

5. Stage 4 - Aghamore to Knock - 6.8 miles / 11.0 km

6. Stage 5 - Knock to Facefield/Balla - 11.6 miles / 18.6 km

7. Stage 6 - Facefield/Balla to Ballintubber Abbey - 14.5 miles / 23.3 km

8. Stage 7 - Ballintubber Abbey to Aghagower - 9.3 miles / 15.0 km

9. Stage 8 - Aghagower to Croagh Patrick to Murrisk - 14.4 miles / 23.1 km

For the Southern route (County Roscommon and County Mayo), the 8 stages are:

1. Stage 1 - Tulsk to Rathcroghan to Lissalway - 11.4 miles / 18.5 km

2. Stage 2 - Lissalway to Castlerea - 7.9 miles / 12.75 km

3. Stage 3 - Castlerea to Urlaur Lough - 13.2 miles / 21.3 km

4. Stage 4 - Urlaur Lough to Knock Shrine - 13.6 miles / 21.9 km

5. Stage 5 - Knock Shrine to Facefield /Balla- 11.6 miles / 18.6 km

6. Stage 6 - Facefield/Balla to Ballintubber Abbey - 14.5 miles /  23.3 km

7. Stage 7 - Ballintubber Abbey to Aghagower - 9.3 miles / 15.0 km

8. Stage 8 - Aghagower to Croagh Patrick to Murrisk - 14.4 miles / 23.1 km

The entire Northern route was walked in 10-17 February of 2024 for the first time in total since possibly as far back as the 16th or 17th century.  Additionally, a multi-faith group of 21 pilgrims walked the entirety again setting out on July 21st of 2024 and reached the Reek on Garland Sunday (July 28).  Our team's mission to help restore this sacred pilgrim's way on behalf of future generations of pilgrims from around the world and the people of Connacht. A documentary will be released in early winter of 2025.

If you are interested in more information, please use the contact form below.  Geospatial files are now available for download for both the Northern and Southern routes from Rathcroghan to Croagh Patrick.  Use the contact form to apply to join us for our 2025 pilgrimage in September of 2025.  You can also click on the links below the YouTube video below on your smartphone to download the ArcGIS Field Maps application and the link for the routes.  Route maps are currently only available via ArcGIS Field Maps until furthern notice.  

Let’s Walk Together