The Columban Way walk in County Carlow gives visitors the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the inspirational sixth century monk St Columbanus, who was born at the foot of Mount Leinster. The Carlow walk joins the finished route at Bangor, County Down as part of a wider national and European Columban Way. A journey of discovery, the walk offers visitors the opportunity to connect with nature, appreciate our rich biodiversity and enjoy their own personal journey of reflection and contemplation along the stunning landscapes of the River Barrow and the Blackstairs Mountains. It is a spiritual and pilgrim trail that connects towns and villages in County Carlow and Wexford who have a deep appreciation of the lasting legacy of St Columbanus in this area, bringing together communities of different faiths and cultural traditions. Modelled on the Camino de Santiago, it features historical sites and landscapes of early Christian Ireland.
In Carlow the route travels from the sixth century ecclesiastical site of St Mullins along the Barrow Way, and in County Wexford from the town of Bunclody, both to the official start of the walk at the Nine Stones, Mount Leinster on the Blackstairs Mountains, through landscapes that have remained largely unchanged for thousands of years. From there it descends into the village of Myshall before travelling along quiet country roads to reach the town of Bagenalstown. Here it rejoins the Barrow Way to Leighlinbridge and Carlow to reach County Kildare.
Once fully developed, the Columban Way in Ireland will stretch for some 530km through Wexford, Carlow, Kildare, Laois, Meath, Cavan, Monaghan, Fermanagh Armagh and Down.