Is the Camino de Santiago Becoming More Popular?
In recent decades, the popularity of the Camino de Santiago has come roaring back into fashion, with thousands walking the pilgrim routes across northern Spain.
In 2024, 499,239 pilgrims received their completion certificates from the Pilgrim’s Office in Santiago de Compostela. This marks a significant increase from the 446,082 certificates issued in 2023 and 438,307 in 2022.
Exploring the Camino Routes
As you probably know, there are several Camino routes that all end in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, in Spain. These snake-like routes stretch back across the country and even further, with one once extending all the way from Jerusalem.
The route you choose is entirely up to you, but for those coming from the Irish shores, there is an intriguing possibility where the walking is shared between Ireland and Spain – a way of St James known as the Celtic Camino.
Celtic Camino
To gain your Compostela certificate, you must walk at least the final 100km into Santiago. While many choose to start much further back or spread their walk over time, those following the way taken by Irish and English pilgrims centuries ago, from Ferrol or A Coruna, face a problem – it’s not quite 100km.
To be exact, you’ll probably find yourself around 25 km short when you arrive in Santiago, which unfortunately means you’ll be denied a Compostela.
However, there is a rather ingenious modern way around this that harks back to the old ways of doing things.
The Tradition of Irish Pilgrims
800 years ago, long before Ryanair flights into A Coruna, Irish pilgrims would begin their journey from their own front door before making their way to ports in the south, where boats would take them to the North coast of Spain.
From there, they would continue south to Santiago, where their pilgrimage was considered complete, no matter where they had begun.
The Modern Celtic Camino
The modern Celtic Camino routes try to follow this blueprint wherever possible, minus the rickety sea voyage across the Irish Sea.
Today, Irish pilgrims are encouraged to begin their 25 km journey in Ireland, walking on Irish Camino routes such as Declan’s Way and Kevin’s Way before continuing to northern Spain.
A memorable starting point might include Tipperary, which offers a scenic introduction to the journey. But for now, let’s crack on to the five reasons to start the Camino in Ireland.
1. Embrace the True Spirit of Pilgrimage
The idea of jetting across to a land that would take you days to reach by land or sea in just a couple of hours is a very modern interpretation of travel and pilgrimage.
If anything, it’s exactly the opposite of what a pilgrimage was designed for – a long, arduous, yet meditative journey to a place of extraordinary relevance.
Reconnecting with our Pilgrim Past
In the past, those walking the Camino had no choice but to begin at home and travel by foot or sea. For these pilgrims, the journey was as important as the destination, but sadly, this is a notion that is gradually disappearing from our collective consciousness.
Today, we often want to arrive quickly and have fun along the way. Walking part of the Camino in Ireland allows us to reconnect with the lost beauty of the true essence of pilgrimage. It always starts at home, and even if you only walk 25 km in Ireland, it’s a great start to the Camino journey.
2. Deepen Your Connection with the Road
Everything is moving so fast these days. We rush through our lives and rarely take the opportunity to stop and gaze in awe at the beauty all around us.
Ireland is a country of staggering natural charm, yet it’s easy to overlook when focusing on distant destinations. Walking a section of your Camino in Ireland forces you to slow down. It grants you the chance to wander through your homeland and love every minute of it.
It can be easy to think of other destinations as better, more alluring, and more exciting, but your connection to a specific place should never be overlooked.
3. Achieve the Compostela
This is the most practical point on this list and one which may or may not resonate with would-be walkers.
If you have your heart set on a Compostela, you’ll either need to begin from another part of Spain or find 25 km to walk in Ireland. Starting in places like Sarria to Santiago, you’ll experience the classic journey and visit the pilgrim’s office in Santiago to collect your Compostela.
Unfortunately, there is no real way around this, but why start in a random Spanish town when you can walk a day or two in Ireland first?
4. Follow the Centuries of Tradition
One aspect of the Camino is the sense of connection with past pilgrims. You walked the same route, stayed in the same accommodations, ate in the same squares, and likely shared the same thoughts, worries, and dreams.
While many imagine themselves as trailblazers, the Camino is far from the case, but that’s also part of the magic. It’s a journey steeped in history and tradition where you can find solitude for reflection, deep introspection, or re-connection.
A Journey Through Time
The hike life is all about reconnecting with age-old traditions that continue today. Walking the Camino allows you to become part of something that transcends borders and time for over 1,000 years.
All across Ireland, there are pilgrimage routes that see a fraction of the footfall they once did, but they still carry the same memory and tradition.
Hiking up Croagh Patrick on one of those beautifully misty Irish days, you can’t help but feel the emotional pull of joining a tradition that stretches back around 5,000 years.
5. Begin and End Your Journey at Home
People walk the Camino de Santiago for a wide variety of reasons, whether for religious, spiritual, or physical goals.
Self-Discovery on the Camino
It’s common to be asked about your motivations along the way. Why walk 100 km into a Spanish city when you could be relaxing on a beach in Benidorm?
For some, an answer might come quickly, but for others, it’s still elusive – and that’s okay. Many who complete the Camino share that their journey is about seeking something deeper in life, and it may be as simple as whether you should change jobs or not.
The Camino often brings a sense of self-reflection. There’s nothing like a full day’s worth of walking to work through your thoughts and maybe take one step closer to whatever it is you’re looking for.
The Journey Back Home
The Camino is a journey that invariably leads back home, both in an obvious literal sense but also in a wider and deeper way that we often struggle to comprehend.
Going to Spain isn’t necessarily going to give you any better insight into yourself than walking in Ireland. Starting and finishing your journey on Irish shores creates a comforting conclusion.
Start your Camino with UWalk
Starting the Camino de Santiago in Ireland with UWalk combines the beauty of both Ireland and Spain.
With UWalk, you can enjoy a day’s walk on the Boyne Valley, explore A Coruña’s beaches and culture, and enjoy scenic views and quaint villages in Galicia.
Learn more about the Celtic Camino itinerary here.
