Ireland to Santiago

[ggtree]

Does anyone have any experience beginning a Camino in Ireland, taking a boat to Spain then continuing on the Norte route? I can only find ferries that require one to have a vehicle. Thanks -Gigi

 

[Former member 49149]

No experience, but i have tried to research it. Looks like the only way is to head to Portsmouth and, using the website in the attached photo, try to follow guidelines for getting to North of Spain. I would try to avoid high winds as the bay of Biscay is not the smoothest bay to be tossed around in!

 

[Ribeirasacra]

There is a Cork to Santander ferry.
https://www.directferries.ie/cork_santander_ferry.htm

 

[Former member 49149]

There is a Cork to Santander ferry.
https://www.directferries.ie/cork_santander_ferry.htm

Yes, there is. I have not found a way to book as a foot passenger. Have you?

 

[Paladina]

There is a Cork to Santander ferry.
https://www.directferries.ie/cork_santander_ferry.htm

It’s a former cargo ferry being used on a trial basis, according to the reply I received from the company, and it doesn’t carry foot passengers or bicycles.

 

[DirtAmy]

While not a camino, when I lived in Ireland I traveled to Santander (on the Norte) by SailRail Galway-Dublin-Holyhead-London-Portsmouth/Plymouth then cruise ferry to Bilbao/Santander as described by The Man in Seat61 in Kirkie's attached screengrab. But that was when there were options for Plymouth and Bilbao so I swapped it around to time my outward and return journeys better.
Last year, I used the cruise ferry Portsmouth to Santander for a camino and did return across the Bay of Biscay during Storm Ophelia (it was OK, they diverted a bit and we were a few hours late arriving). The options may have decreased but it was an easier journey because I was starting from near London.
However, The Man in Seat61 has been reporting that foot passenger travel is becoming more difficult all round. It's still worthwhile doing though! I do recommend jumping on the Portsmouth foot passenger options while they're still available and adding 12 hours either side to travel from/to Ireland. It's a slow-travel experience that's very in keeping with camino mentality.

 

[t2andreo]

Does anyone have any experience beginning a Camino in Ireland, taking a boat to Spain then continuing on the Norte route? I can only find ferries that require one to have a vehicle. Thanks -Gigi

I recommend you contact the Camino Society of Ireland, http://www.caminosociety.com/

They will provide you with every possible way to get from Ireland to Spain. There is no need to cross into the UK.

Also, you should know that there is a Celtic Camino. You start in Ireland and walk at least 25 - 35 km. The traditional start of a Camino in Dublin is at St. James Gate (the Guiness Brewery), or at the nearby Church of Saint James.

Under a deal with the Pilgrim Office in Santiago, you can start your camino in Ireland, obtaining the requisite stamps. Then get on a boat, or plane and hop over to Spain to compete your walking pilgrimage.

You continue your camino in Spain starting from one of the traditional places, usually A Coruna. This qualifies you for a Compostela if you did the first tranche in Ireland as mentioned. Without the first tranche of km in Ireland the distance is not qualifying.

Hope this helps.

 

[Larry OHeron]

If you are flexible, I just completed the Kerry Camino (Dingle Peninsula), caught the bus back to Dublin and a flight to Santiago. From there, I went to Porto for the Camino Portuguese, altho I could have gone to Ferrol or A Coruna or Bilbao/Irun.

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

I, like you, sought out available ferry services but really they do not exist, right now. And what is available is quite a bit more than a direct flight from Dublin to Spain.

However, I am planning an Ireland / Spain Camino in 2019. For me, I will fly into Dublin, take a bus to Bray, South of Dublin and walk to St. James Church to complete my Irish leg. Then, take a plane to A Coruna or Santiago. If I get to A Coruna, then I will walk the Camino Ingles to SdC. If I fly to Santiago, it is a 20 minute train to A Coruna. Easy Peasy.

 

[Amigos caminando]

I, like you, sought out available ferry services but really they do not exist, right now. And what is available is quite a bit more than a direct flight from Dublin to Spain.

However, I am planning an Ireland / Spain Camino in 2019. For me, I will fly into Dublin, take a bus to Bray, South of Dublin and walk to St. James Church to complete my Irish leg. Then, take a plane to A Coruna or Santiago. If I get to A Coruna, then I will walk the Camino Ingles to SdC. If I fly to Santiago, it is a 20 minute train to A Coruna. Easy Peasy.

Hi Michelle, yourself and t2andreo are quite correct, if you walk 25km on a recognised pilgrim path in Ireland, of which there are beautiful historic routes, then you get a Celtic Camino certificate. You can then walk from A Coruña to Santiago, 75km and receive a compostela from the pilgrim office. You must present your Celtic Camino certificate at the pilgrim office. Check out www.pilgrimpaths.ie. They usually do 5 of these routes during Easter week so you can plan to go from one path to the next. At this time they are guided and well worth taking the guide as you hear historic, religious and cultural information along the way. There is available a Celtic passport available to get stamped at each route. They are 20 to 35km in length approx. Otherwise just pick the route from lovely Bray to St. James Church although it's about 35km. Welcome to Ireland

 

[jumada]

I recommend you contact the Camino Society of Ireland, http://www.caminosociety.com/

They will provide you with every possible way to get from Ireland to Spain. There is no need to cross into the UK.

Also, you should know that there is a Celtic Camino. You start in Ireland and walk at least 25 - 35 km. The traditional start of a Camino in Dublin is at St. James Gate (the Guiness Brewery), or at the nearby Church of Saint James.

Under a deal with the Pilgrim Office in Santiago, you can start your camino in Ireland, obtaining the requisite stamps. Then get on a boat, or plane and hop over to Spain to compete your walking pilgrimage.

You continue your camino in Spain starting from one of the traditional places, usually A Coruna. This qualifies you for a Compostela if you did the first tranche in Ireland as mentioned. Without the first tranche of km in Ireland the distance is not qualifying.

Hope this helps.

Hi Michelle, yourself and t2andreo are quite correct, if you walk 25km on a recognised pilgrim path in Ireland, of which there are beautiful historic routes, then you get a Celtic Camino certificate. You can then walk from A Coruña to Santiago, 75km and receive a compostela from the pilgrim office. You must present your Celtic Camino certificate at the pilgrim office. Check out www.pilgrimpaths.ie. They usually do 5 of these routes during Easter week so you can plan to go from one path to the next. At this time they are guided and well worth taking the guide as you hear historic, religious and cultural information along the way. There is available a Celtic passport available to get stamped at each route. They are 20 to 35km in length approx. Otherwise just pick the route from lovely Bray to St. James Church although it's about 35km. Welcome to Ireland

Hi @Amigos caminando, I've just been reading this feed as I would like to do a Celtic Camino walk in Ireland and then continue on the Camino Ingles to Santiago to qualify for a compostela. Do you have any idea if there is a maximum amount of time during which one must complete both in order to qualify? For example do they both have to be done in the same month, season, year? I'm just trying to determine if I could walk in Ireland this summer and then walk the Ingles next spring. Thanks.

 

[t2andreo]

I recommend that you contact the Camino Society of Ireland. See link above. They will give you a straight, reliable answer.

 

[jumada]

I recommend that you contact the Camino Society of Ireland. See link above. They will give you a straight, reliable answer.

Thanks, I'll do that.

 

[Amigos caminando]

Hi, I am a member of the Irish Camino society, there is no time restraint on finishing the Celtic Camino and commencing the camino from A Coruña. Best of luck planning!

Thanks, I'll do that

Thanks, I'll do that.

 

[t2andreo]

There you go! Gee, I just love it when a plan (even a micro-plan) comes together...

 

[jumada]

Hi, I am a member of the Irish Camino society, there is no time restraint on finishing the Celtic Camino and commencing the camino from A Coruña. Best of luck planning!

Thank you! That's great news. I love it when the "rules" make things simple.

 

[PetePie]

I'm very interested in the 5 Celtic walks also, and will might plan to head to Spain by boat, to end in Santiago, so my Q i have: is Easter the best time to complete this.
I'm planning my for 2020, as I don't think work and the wife will let me go soon after after completing the CF in Oct 2018.
So miss the Camino though.

 

[Amigos caminando]

Hi PetePie, check out www.pilgrimpaths.ie for guided walks over Easter. The advantage is as part of the organised walk you will be returned to the start of the walk. There are usually refreshments provided. As I mentioned before you will hear religious, historical, archielogical and local information given from excellent guides. It's possible to complete all walks but that involves a fair bit of travel between them. Look at distances of walks and location and choose what suits you. You only need 25km for Celtic Compostela in Ireland. Be prepared for all kinds of weather!!

 

[donalomahony]

Drop the s

www.pilgrimpath.ie

 

[tarasis]

All useful info. Thank you.

 

[Derrybiketours]

For anyone interested in the Celtic Camino I have completed the St Kevins Glendalough Pilgrimage twice as final preparation walks before arriving in SJPdeP. Its a wonderful 26km walk. To get there couldn't be easier. In Dublin get on the bus aptly named St. Kevins Bus near St Stephens Green and 20 euro and 1 hour later arrive in Glendalough. From there there is a visitor centre, hotel and youth hostel (15 euro) all a stone's throw from the pick-up point for guided walk run by Eileen at @glendaloughpilgrimage that can be found on Facebook. Both walks I have been part of took place in August but walks available throughout the year. At beginning of walk you receive your stamped pilgrimpath.ie passport for 5 euro (this is separate from the Camino Society Ireland Passport that you can pickup at St. James Church or @caminosocietyireland) and for another 5 euro taken by bus with a group of around 50 people to the starting point Valleymount then walk back the 26km, 6 hour walk to the majestic Glendalough monastic site. Inside the visitor centre you can lay your hands on the labyrinth, the standing stone that is inspiration behind what I consider one of the most unique stamps to be found on any Camino, a recent podcast with the guide Eileen and bbc reporter describes it best

BBC World Service - Heart and Soul, The pilgrim paths of Ireland

Stories from pilgrims walking the ancient pilgrim path St.Kevin’s Way in County Wicklow

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Former member 49149]

I am copying this from the Camino of Santiago website in Ireland It is short, and lovely! For anyone in Ireland, this is so accessible. I traced my own route, and just used an old credencial I had, which actually I did not continue using, as I walked from Ferrol rather than from A Corunna. enjoy There are other lovely videos on the Irish website, do look them up! Camino, pilgrimage: one day, lovely people, we will have all the answers to the questions we do not even know that we have, and that drive us onward and upwards, ever onwards!