The waymarker was unveiled recently as part of Ireland’s very first Camino Mouteria.
The Bray Celtic Camino Mouteria is now the very first Camino Mouteria in Ireland, marking it as an important site for pilgirms all overal Ireland and much further afield. It’s installation was a joint project between Bray Tourism, Bray Municipal District and the Ireland Camino Society.
The Camino from A Coruña to Santiago is called the Camino Inglés. Since the 12th century A Coruña has been the main port of disembarkation for pilgrims from Ireland and was recognised by the Cathedral in Santiago in December 2016.
Cathaoirleach of Bray Municipal District Melanie Corrigan, Manuel Miras Franqueira, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Aoife Flyn Kennedy and Garvan Hickey at the unveiling of Ireland’s first Camino Mouteira Waymarker on Bray Seafront
Since this Camino from A Coruña is less than the 100km minimum normally required for a Compostela the Cathedral recognised, a change was required. Because of this ancient tradition, connecting A Coruña with the Camino, the certificate of a completed pilgrimage – the Compostela – should be awarded by the Cathedral of Santiago provided 25km is completed in your country of origin beforehand.
The new installation will allow Irish pilgrims to walk some of the camino at home, and will allow pilgrims from all over the world to visit Bray and take in all the sights Co. Wicklow and Dublin have to offer.
Cathaoirleach of Bray Municipal District, Cllr Melanie Corrigan, stated: “This connection between Bray and the Camino in A Coruña Spain is fantastic. Walking is so beneficial for our physical and mental health as well. The Bray Celtic Camino offers tourism opportunities for Bray, I’m delighted to see the Mouteira Waymarker unveiled and really welcome it.”
