Explore Celtic routes which promise to connect you to the land, people and places shaped by a past reaching back through the ages.
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When you wander through Celtic lands, you’ll discover many things: dramatic landscapes and coastlines, warm friendly people, places to stay filled with character, stories of the past, and a vibrant, distinctive living culture. Some of these things are found elsewhere, but there is one thing you’ll only find in places shaped by a Celtic past reaching back through the ages.
You may not be able to touch it or see it. But you can feel it and you can sense it. It’s the impression of being somewhere special. Somewhere timeless. It’s something which people have experienced through the ages. Something which makes people feel they belong, and which draws people back. We call it the Celtic Spirit.
Celtic Routes features six coastal counties in Wales and Ireland. Each is proud of their Celtic heritage, and this still shapes the personality of these places and their people, to this day. Waterford, Wicklow, and Wexford are part of Ireland’s Ancient East. This is Ireland for explorers; people who want to go beyond the visitor honeypots and find real Ireland. Here they find character without the cliches.
Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, and Carmarthenshire lie in the south-west corner of Wales. Together, they are the reason why, when it comes to travel, many agree that in Wales, “West is Best”.
Connect with your cultural heritage in the great outdoors.
There are many things which link these parts of Ireland and Wales. Shared stories, similar natural environments, and a united spirit. Visitors will enjoy the stories. They will wonder at nature and beauty. But the moment they truly find the Celtic Spirit is the moment which stays in the memory forever. These are Celtic moments: times and places where you will feel even closer to our Celtic lands and really appreciate what makes them special.
It may be as you stroll along a secluded beach at dawn. Or maybe when you sit on a headland overlooking the Irish sea as the sun sets or rises. Perhaps it’s when you touch ancient stones that have stood in the same place for centuries. Or it could be as you encounter the local wildlife – a Red Kite soaring above or a seal basking in the summer sun.
Here is a selection of places where you’ll feel close to the Celtic Spirit
Carrigfoyle Lake, Wexford
Carrigfoyle Lake in Wexford.
Located within Foyle Mountain, built of 500–600-million-year-old rock, climb up to look down on the mysterious lake filling the quarry, or admire the stirring views of the Wexford coastline. At night you can see the sparkling jewels dropped by warring giants, so the legends go!
Seefin Passage Tomb, Wicklow
The entrance to the otherworld.
“The Seat of Fionn” relates to Irish mythical hero, Fionn Mac Cumhaill. The ancient texts say this is the entrance to the “otherworld”. From here you can look out over the rolling hills, patchwork of fields and shimmering lakes of South County Dublin and Wicklow.
Coumshingaun, Waterford
Coumshingaun in the clag.
This is a distinctive landmark in the Comeragh Mountains. The Coumshingaun Loop Walk is a 7.5km route around the ridge and plateau of this natural amphitheatre. There are many opportunities to take a moment to sit and savour views down to the dark lough 365m below.
Coastal foraging, Carmarthenshire
Coastal foraging at Llansteffan.
The Celts had a spiritual bond with the natural world and believed that the sea is a source of healing and cleansing, of food and wealth. So, what better way to immerse yourself in this world than by foraging along the coast near Llansteffan?
Pembrokeshire
A pair of Skomer puffins.
Skomer, Skokholm and Grassholm are a trio of neighbouring islands grouped together as a Site of Special Scientific Interest off the Pembrokeshire Coast. Uninhabited except for their populations of puffins, Manx shearwaters, and gannets, view the islands from a boat off-shore to feel close to nature and the Celtic Spirit.
Ceredigion, Cors Caron
Spend a while in nature at Cors Caron.
Wander the boardwalk around this raised wetland bog, which started forming 12,000 years ago. It’s a National Nature Reserve and wetland area of international significance where you can wait in the peace of the Welsh Oak bird hide to spot a Buzzard, Peregrine Falcon, or Merlin.
Start planning your visit and find more inspiration and ideas at CelticRoutes.info.
