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Tóchar: Walking Ireland’s Ancient Pilgrim Paths
Tóchar (‘Causeway’) is a walking-pace travelogue through the country which was dubbed ‘the Island of Saints and Scholars’ long before the Celtic Tiger took up residence. Set against the backdrop of spectacular scenery in every corner of Ireland, the book recounts the trials and tribulations of a modern-day pilgrim, who follows in the footsteps of the ancients, along prescribed paths which range from hikes of a few hours’ duration to day-long treks and the three-day ordeal in St Patrick’s Purgatory.
This is a guide to the magical soul of Celtic Christianity, written from the perspective of a struggling, ‘á la carte’ Irish Catholic, ‘who could best be described as a healthy sceptic in matters of belief’. The result is a narrative which is at times uplifting and at times uncomfortable, but which is always engaging and honest. While there are pilgrimage prayers along the Tóchar as well as historical background on the places once revered throughout Christendom, there are also pints in pleasant pubs, a rich diversity of literary references, anecdotes and personal reflections on faith, morality and religious practice which are offered in a spontaneous and unselfconscious spirit.
Darach MacDonald is an experienced journalist, editor and writer who has written for The Irish Times, the Sunday Business Post, the Belfast Telegraph, the Belfast Newsletter; the Independent (London), the Washington Times and the Irish Voice (United States). He is the author of three published books: The Sons of Levi (Drumlin Press 1998); The Chosen Few – Exploding Myths in South Armagh (Mercier Press, 2000); Blood & Thunder – Inside an Ulster Protestant Band (Mercier Press, 2010).
This is a guide to the magical soul of Celtic Christianity, written from the perspective of a struggling, ‘á la carte’ Irish Catholic, ‘who could best be described as a healthy sceptic in matters of belief’. The result is a narrative which is at times uplifting and at times uncomfortable, but which is always engaging and honest. While there are pilgrimage prayers along the Tóchar as well as historical background on the places once revered throughout Christendom, there are also pints in pleasant pubs, a rich diversity of literary references, anecdotes and personal reflections on faith, morality and religious practice which are offered in a spontaneous and unselfconscious spirit.
Darach MacDonald is an experienced journalist, editor and writer who has written for The Irish Times, the Sunday Business Post, the Belfast Telegraph, the Belfast Newsletter; the Independent (London), the Washington Times and the Irish Voice (United States). He is the author of three published books: The Sons of Levi (Drumlin Press 1998); The Chosen Few – Exploding Myths in South Armagh (Mercier Press, 2000); Blood & Thunder – Inside an Ulster Protestant Band (Mercier Press, 2010).
- GenresIreland
184 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 13, 2013
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February 17, 2014
Part travelogue, part history lesson, part spiritual quest, this book takes us along as the author hikes several ancient Irish paths over the course of a year. I would definitely want this book along if I were lucky enough to visit Ireland again.
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