St Declan's Way among great Irish pilgrim walks featured in Tipperary author's new book

The front cover of John G. O'Dwyer's new walking trails book - Great Irish Pilgrim Journeys

placeholder image — The front cover of John G. O'Dwyer's new walking trails book - Great Irish Pilgrim Journeys

John G. O'Dwyer's book - Great Irish Pilgrim Journeys - will be officially launched at Cabragh Wetlands Centre on Friday, March 28

Boherlahan born author and hiking expert John G. O’Dwyer’s sixth book – Great Irish Pilgrim Journeys – will be launched by the Chairperson of St Declan’s Way Steering Committee this Friday, March 28.

Grainne Moynihan will officially launch the book at a function in the Cabragh Wetlands Centre, Thurles at 7.30pm that day.

Great Irish Pilgrim Journeys, published by Currach Books, is a must-read for anyone interested in hiking and exploring the country’s beautiful scenery, rich culture and heritage.

The 115km St Declan’s Way that starts in Cashel and concludes in Ardmore on the Waterford coast is the first of the pilgrim trails described in detail in the book

Also showcased are the St Patrick’s Way walks in Northern Ireland, the Pilgrim Passport Journey covering ancient pilgrim routes in Cork, Kerry, Mayo and Wicklow and Celtic Camino walks in Mayo, Louth, Kerry and concluding with the Camino Inglés walk in northern Spain.

Great Irish Pilgrim Journeys author John G. O'Dwyer out hiking in beautiful woodland

The journeys described by Mr O’Dwyer, who is a founder of Mid-Tipp Hillwalkers Club, take anywhere from four hours to eight days to complete.

They are accompanied by detailed maps and beautiful photographs of the stunning landscape along the pilgrim paths.

Mr O’Dwyer also tells some fascinating stories about the paths trekked by past generations of Irish people.

He described his new book as “a complete resource for Irish people and overseas visitors wishing to discover the rich history of Ireland’s ancient pilgrim trails”.

“I hope it will bring additional spending to rural Ireland and spreads the benefits of tourism more evenly,” he said.

John G. O’Dwyer’s other books include Wild Stories from the Irish Uplands, 50 Best Irish Walks – Easy to Moderate, Pilgrim Paths in Ireland – A Guide, Tipperary & Waterford: A Walking Guide and The Comeragh, Galtee, Knockmealdown and Slieve Bloom Mountains: A Walking Guide.

All are welcome to attend the launch of Great Irish Pilgrim Journeys, which will kick off with a cheese and wine reception.

Great Irish Pilgrim Journeys is now available from bookshops nationwide and currachbooks.com.