Welcome to The Columban Way, the Irish section of the Via Columbani tracing its way from Mt. Leinster to Bangor, across Ireland and eight countries of Europe to Bobbio in Northern Italy. The walk echoes a tradition of pilgrimage by uniting different counties and countries in a vision of a common humanity. It is inspired by St Columbanus, a 6th century monk and pilgrim. His messages, though delivered nearly 1500 years ago, have a remarkable relevance today.
It is generally accepted that St Columbanus was born in the shadow of Mount Leinster near Myshall around the year 543.
Travelling north to Cluain Innis in Fermanagh, he became a pupil of Sinell who had been taught by another saint born near Myshall: St Finian of Clonard. After establishing a renowned monastery and centre of learning in Clonard, Co. Meath which attracted thousands of monks, Finian became known as ‘tutor of the saints of Ireland’. Consequently, though an old man when Columbanus was born, St Finian had an important influence on the monasteries founded by St Columbanus in France, Austria, and Italy
COLUMBAN WAY - A JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY 