Bishop Martin Hayes retraces the journey of St Maedhóg to St David in Wales
Bishop Martin Hayes, Bishop of Kilmore, writes ahead of a special pilgrimage beginning this weekend:
“On Saturday evening, 29 August, I will set out on a special pilgrimage retracing the journey of St Maedhóg of Kilmore (St Aidan of Ferns) to his mentor, St David of Wales.
St Maedhóg completed his formation with St David before returning to Ireland, where he undertook his mission in Ferns and established the Diocese of Ferns around 598 AD, becoming its first bishop. While scholars differ on whether St Maedhóg later returned to his native Kilmore, the ancient connection between Kilmore, Ferns and St David’s is one worth celebrating.
⛴️ On Sunday, 30 August, I will join Bishop Ger Nash of Ferns, soon to become Bishop of Ferns and Ossory, travelling by ferry from Rosslare to Fishguard. We will be joined by our mutual friend and former college companion, Tom Higgins, as we follow the historic pilgrimage route through Pembrokeshire towards St David’s.
The coastal pilgrimage from Fishguard to St David’s follows an ancient route associated with Pope Calixtus II, who canonised St David in 1120 and promoted pilgrimage to his shrine. Over three days, our journey will take us along the spectacular Welsh coastline — across clifftops, past deserted beaches and through landscapes looking out over the Irish Sea towards Ireland.
🙏 We will also visit St Non’s Retreat Centre, dedicated to the mother of St David. On Monday, 31 August, we will visit St David’s Cathedral, site of the pre-Reformation Catholic Cathedral, where Bishop Wyn Evans, former Dean and Bishop of St David’s, will give us a tour.
At its heart, this pilgrimage is about returning to the sources of inspiration of St Maedhóg/St Aidan — imagining him walking this Welsh coastline in the company of St David, looking across the Irish Sea towards the land to which he would return with a renewed conviction for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We are grateful for the encouragement of Archbishop Mark O’Toole and the Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia in planning this journey.
It is our hope that this pilgrimage will pave the way for a future pilgrimage involving the people of Kilmore and Ferns, celebrating our shared spiritual heritage and the inspiration St David gave to St Maedhóg/St Aidan in his mission to bring the Gospel to his native land.
Please keep us in your prayers as we make this journey.” 🙏
+ Martin Hayes
Bishop of Kilmore
