Book documents pilgrim voyage to Skellig

AN author who has, for years, travelled to some of the most remote and inaccessible places of pilgrimage in Britain and Ireland has included an account of an eventful trip to Skellig Michael in his new book, “Pilgrim Adventure: Travels to remote islands and holy places in Britain and Ireland”.

David Gleed has been involved with the 1988-founded ‘Journeying’ group from its earliest days, travelling to some of the most remote places in the UK and Ireland.

His book is a personal account interspersed with ‘poems and reflection for journey’, and he described his visit to Skellig Michael as more remarkable than expected.

“The weather wasn’t at its kindest during the visit and the small open boat (and its passengers) took quite a pounding, more so on the return trip… but then a quite amazing thing happened,” he said.

“An hour out with the boat rising and falling, a strange calm descended. It was almost as though the boat and its passengers had become one with the elements. Together we were cutting a safe passage.

“There was a sense of time and timelessness, of early pilgrims with us, battling their way to and from that remote outpost on the edge of the world. We were caught up in the pilgrim experience.

“We felt close to God, the elements and fellow pilgrims stretching back across the years. We were on a journey but we were not alone – it was a great feeling.”

The book includes 12 tales and costs £3.50 (plus postage and packaging).

For more information, you can e-mail info@journeying.co.uk or, alternatively, you can phone +(00)44 191 469 2535.

Author David Gleed