Over the winter months of 2024 and early 2025, thousands of people across the British Isles will embark on long walks, braving the elements to enjoy a bit of solitude, some fresh air, a physical challenge, and perhaps rediscover the meaning others in the past found along the winding trails. For many, the clear path to achieving this was laid down centuries ago.
There are iconic pilgrimage routes around Europe that have been popular for decades, but you don’t need to venture to Via Podiensis in France, Norway’s St Olav’s Way, or the Wool Route in Spain to enjoy such a stroll. Instead, you can embark on an exciting journey that reaffirms Wales’ ancient and religious ties to Ireland, proving an insight into how many popular Celtic myths are in fact shared across both Wales and Ireland.
Walking the pilgrimage route
Many people embark on pilgrimage routes around the world to enhance their ties to things beyond our everyday lives. They’re to invigorate one’s religious beliefs, connect to cultural history, and follow in the footsteps of saints. This route delivers on both fronts, being a direct path from an idyllic in-land spot on the Emerald Isle, across the sea, and into Wales.
Introduced as an official pilgrimage rather recently, as theguardian.com details, the Wexford-Pembrokeshire Pilgrim Way takes you from Wexford in South-East Ireland, from the Christian monastic site in Ferns to Rosslare. From there, you cross the Irish Sea before setting foot on the Pembrokeshire National Park Coast Path.
The Irish leg puts 100km in the bank, and a similar distance clocked in the crossing. In Wales, you get to add another 60km, and the path here takes you all the way to St Davids City. It’s an enriching journey that most say takes around nine days to complete, taking you through some truly stunning parts of both countries.
Links stretching back through history

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Just a mere 108 miles apart, the British Isles, Ireland and Wales have held close ties throughout history. Culturally and linguistically, Ireland and Wales have deep ties as Celtic siblings. Both languages come under the umbrella of living Celtic languages, as wales.com details, and St Patrick may have even been a Welshman.
It’s these Celtic elements that remain prominent in both countries even to the modern day. The symbols of Celtic myths may be more commonly associated with Ireland, but they remain a firm part of Welsh heritage. Anyone who delves into the symbols of meaning on both sides of the sea will find some stark similarities, or even outright mirrored symbols, that align the Irish and the Welsh.
Of course, when discussing the Irish heritage of these Celtic symbols, we often think of these in association with luck. These symbols of luck have had a consistent prevalence in popular culture, for example, in Celtic-themed games. This explains why many of the platforms listed on Bonus Finder host various games that tap into this Celtic symbology. Celtic Spirit, Lucky’s Celtic Charms, Gaelic Gold, and even Golden Leprechaun Megaways are all popular slots that look to appeal to players through the use of these ancient symbols, and show the ever-prevalent nature of this Celtic heritage.
While the Leprechaun is much less closely aligned to the Irish in popular culture, the Triskelion, Triquetra, Tree of Life, and Celtic Cross symbols are prominent cultural and ancient Welsh symbols. With the proximity of the two countries and their traditional ties producing a cultural heritage that remains prominent in popular culture, a pilgrimage trail meandering from one to the other offers more than just a walk
So, if you’re looking to go on an enlightening adventure that taps into the religious past of the region and Wales’ ancient ties to Ireland, you can’t go wrong with a journey down the glorious Wexford-Pembrokeshire Pilgrim Way.