Ancient Connections is delighted to announce the appointment of a partnership of organisations who will collaborate to manage the new pilgrim route between St Davids, Pembrokeshire and Ferns in County Wexford.

The pilgrim route will be the primary legacy of the four-year ERDF funded project Ancient Connections, which runs until July 2023.

The project aims to build on and strengthen historic links between these two Celtic lands, in particular the friendship between St David, patron saint of Wales and St Aidan of Ferns in the Early Mediaeval period. Two new jobs will be created as a consequence of the appointment.

This exciting new development for Pembrokeshire, linking to County Wexford, will be led by The British Pilgrimage Trust (BPT), Pilgrim Paths of Ireland (PPI) and partners with West Wales based Journeying and Guided Pilgrimage. It is intended that the new pilgrimage route will bring additional economic benefits to the area through sustainable tourism.

Guy Hayward, Director of British Pilgrimage Trust said: “We are in the earliest stage of this project, but I can already tell that we are going to create something very beautiful together that bridges both sides of the Celtic Sea, and something which so many will enjoy and find meaning through for generations to come”.

British Pilgrimage Trust Project Leader Dawn Champion said: “To support this project, we’re excited to be able to offer full-time jobs for two Pilgrimage Officers, one in Wexford and one in Pembrokeshire.

“We’re looking for special people who know the area well, to design and deliver a full and inspiring pilgrimage programme by engaging with people from all communities.”

Mike Cavanagh, Head of Cultural, Leisure, Tourism and Registration at Pembrokeshire County Council, commented: “I’m delighted that we have appointed such an experienced, skilled and passionate group of organisations to deliver the showcase project of the whole Ancient Connections programme - a new cross-border pilgrimage experience.

Pilgrimage has massive appeal these days, and you can enjoy it whether you have a religious faith or not.

It’s about getting out there with nature, putting one foot in front of the other and having some quality time to think, breathe, heal, find yourself - whatever you need.

Wales and Ireland have so many links and this project gives people a great opportunity to rediscover our Ancient and more recent connections between these great nations.”

Ancient Connections is led by Pembrokeshire County Council, together with partners Wexford County Council, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and Visit Wexford funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Ireland Wales co-operation programme.

If you are interested in finding out more or getting involved in any aspect of the Ancient Connections project please email the team at: [email protected]