Having undertaken previous pilgrimages to Glendalough and Kildare, this year we stayed a little closer to home staying in the lovely Tobar Mhuire Retreat Centre in Crossgar as we learnt more about the life of St Patrick.

Thankfully the weather was beautiful with not a spot of rain all week and the 11 pilgrims were able to get out and about every day visiting Inch Abbey and the Down Museum on Monday, the St Patrick Centre and Saul Church on Tuesday and the Ballydugan Medieval Viking Village, the Strule Wells and Nendrum Monastery on Thursday. Wednesday was a day off, when the group split to visit a number of different areas including Kearney’s Point, Newcastle and Castle Ward for a more relaxing day, although everyone was shocked to see Jim Magowan’s recently acquired tattoo (and where it was sited!) when the Newcastle shopping trip returned.

During the week, as well as dining in the centre, we ate out on two occasions and also enjoyed morning and evening services every day in the resident’s lounge. Thursday night saw a moving service of Holy Communion conducted in the centre chapel.

We left on Friday morning, having enjoyed a wonderful time of fellowship and worship together as well as learning more about the enigmatic St Patrick, who was a pretty impressive bloke!

Plans are already afoot for our 2026 pilgrimage so watch this space.

Rev. Andy

Read Alfred Knox's Reflection on the Pilgrimage by clicking here