Saint Colman’s Hermitage, Eagle’s Rock
Burren National Park, Slieve Carran, County Clare

Date: Easter Monday, 6 April 2026
Time: 10:00am

Join Pius Murray for a guided inspirational walk through the stunning landscape of the Burren National Park, leading to the historic Saint Colman’s Hermitage at Eagle’s Rock. This experience offers a blend of nature, reflection, and local heritage in one of Ireland’s most unique environments.

Event Details

• Duration: 2.5-3 hours
• Distance: 5 km
• Terrain: Easy, along a marked trail
• Fitness Level: Moderate level of fitness required

Meeting Point: Entrance Gate, Burren National Park, Slieve Carran

Cost: €20 per adult
Children go free
All proceeds in aid of Pilgrim Paths Ireland

Booking Information: Booking is essential.
Ring: Mobile: 087 982 8173
Email: pius@walkwithpius.com

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Event Details:

Meeting Point: Doolin Ferry Co. Ticket Sales Office, Doolin Pier, County Clare at 09:30.
Date: Saturday,14th June 2025
Departure to Inisheer: 10:00.
Return to Doolin Pier: 17:00 (Travel on the Doolin Express Ferry).
Ferry Ticket: €30 per person (quote “Pius”). Tickets can be purchased on the day at the Ticket Sales Office. Those with a Free Travel Pass can travel for free on the ferry; please bring your pass.
Fee for Inspirational Walk: €40 per person, payable in cash on the day.
Total Cost: €70 per person.
Lunch Options: Bring a packed lunch or enjoy a healthy, tasty meal at Teach an Tae, Inisheer.
Free Time Activity: You will have free time to swim at Inisheer Beach, located close to the pier.

Booking is essential for this event.

For more information, please contact Pius Murray.
M: 087 9828173
E: piusmurray23@gmail.com
W: www.walkwithpius.com

About Saint Caomhan
Saint Caomhan, also known as Saint Kevin, is the patron saint of Inisheer (Inis Oirr), one of the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland. His feast day, known as Pattern Day, is celebrated on 14th June. Here are some key points about Saint Caomhan:

Historical Background: Saint Caomhan is believed to have lived during the 6th century. While detailed historical records about his life are sparse, he is venerated for his piety and dedication to monastic life.
Hermitage and Monastic Life: Saint Caomhan is said to have established a hermitage on Inisheer, where he led a life of prayer and contemplation. His dedication to solitude and spirituality made him a revered figure on the island.
Legacy: The ruins of St. Caomhan’s Church (Teampall Chaomháin) on Inisheer are believed to be built on the site of his original hermitage. This site remains a significant place of pilgrimage, especially on his feast day.
Miraculous Stories: Local legends often attribute various miracles to Saint Caomhan, such as the protection of the islanders and their livestock from storms and other natural disasters. These stories contribute to his enduring legacy and the continued veneration by the local community.
Pattern Day Celebrations: Pattern Day on 14th June is a significant event on Inisheer. Pilgrims visit St. Caomhan’s Church and other related sites to pay homage, seek blessings, and participate in religious ceremonies and community activities.
Cultural Impact: Saint Caomhan holds a special place in the hearts of the Inisheer inhabitants. His legacy is a blend of historical reverence and local folklore, deeply woven into the island’s cultural and spiritual fabric.

Saint Caomhan’s impact extends beyond his historical presence, symbolising faith, resilience, and the enduring spirit of the island community.

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Explore the enchanting Oughtmama valley, home to three historic churches and a sacred well, all steeped in the rich history of Colman of Kilmacduagh. This event is part of National Pilgrim Paths Week 2024, promising a meaningful and reflective experience.

Secure your spot for this unique adventure with a contribution of €20, where all proceeds will support the meaningful work of Pilgrim Paths Ireland. Due to limited availability, booking is essential to ensure your participation in this unforgettable journey.

For further information contact Pius:
M: 087 9828173
E: pius@walkwithpius.com

The Burren, located in County Clare, is a unique and captivating landscape characterized by limestone pavements, rocky hills, and a diverse range of flora and fauna. The region is renowned for its archaeological sites, including ancient burial mounds, ring forts, and historical churches.  Bellharbour, a village in the Burren, is surrounded by this distinctive karst landscape. The Oughtmama valley, is a specific area within the Burren and near Bellharbour with great historical and cultural significance.

Colman of Kilmacduagh, also known as Saint Colman, was an Irish Christian saint who lived in the 7th century. He is associated with Kilmacduagh, a monastic site in County Galway, Ireland.  Like many early Irish saints, Colman is attributed with performing miracles. These stories often involve healing and other extraordinary events that were believed to be manifestations of his sanctity.

Pius Murray in The Burren, Co Clare. Photograph by Eamon Ward

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Meeting point: Doolin Ferry Co. Ticket Sales Office, Doolin Pier at 09.30am

Date: Wednesday 14th June, 2023
Departure to Inisheer: 9.30am
Return to Doolin Pier: 5pm
(Travel on the Doolin Express Ferry)

Tickets for this guided walk (including ferry ticket) €50 per person.
People with the Free Travel Pass have free travel on the ferry so ticket price is reduced to €25 per person.

Booking for this event is essential:
Contact Pius
M: 087 9828173
E: piusmurray23@gmail.com
W: www.walkwithpius.com

Caomhan is the patron saint of Inisheer (Inis Oírr), the smallest of the Aran Islands. Even though he is “by far the most celebrated of all the saints of the Aran Islands”. He is said to have been a disciple of Saint Enda of Aran. He is also said to be the elder brother of Saint Kevin of Glendalough although no corresponding legend exists in Co Wicklow to support this claim.

The saint’s Pattern Day (Lá an Phátrúin), 14 June, is a special holiday on the island when mass is celebrated at his church.

The ruins of Caomhan’s Church (Teampall Caomhán) are below ground level. The church was nearly buried by drifting sands but has now been excavated and is kept clear of sand by the islanders. According to the notice prepared by the Office of Public Works, the building may date from the 10th century. All that remains visible of this structure today is the chancel. A century or so after this was built, the rest of the building gave way for a wider nave. The lintel over the original western doorway was reused in the enlarged building to become the entrance from the nave to the priest’s residence. Three other features date from the late medieval period: the head of the chancel arch, the pointed doorway in the south wall of the nave and the priest’s residence. The grave of St Caomhan (Leaba Chaomhain or Caomhán’s bed) is located to the north-east of the church. In recent times it has been roofed to resist the incursion of blown sand from the surrounding dunes. It is a tradition on the island to spend the vigil of the saint’s feast praying at his grave. It has been written that people were cured of illness here.

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I am delighted to be part of the upcoming guided walk of Inis Óirr with Nordic Fitness Ireland on Sunday, September 12th.
The ferry will depart Doolin at 10am and return to Doolin at 5pm.
Booking for this event is with Nordic Walking Ireland, ring Joanne on 087 6936903 or visit their website.

When: Sunday 12th Spetember 2021
Where: Depart Doolin Pier, ferry to Inis Óírr
What: Guided Nordic Walking Tour by Pius Murray

Nordic Walking is a great way to stay fit and healthy.   All walking is a great way to improve or maintain your overall health. Just 30 minutes every day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance. It can also reduce your risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and some cancers.  Simply add Nordic Walking poles for increased benefit.

About Nordic Fitness Ireland

Established in 2018, Nordic Fitness Ireland is based at Burkedale House in Dysert O’Dea, Corofin, Co. Clare, Ireland. Burkedale House has been the family home of the Burkes for 20 years. Tony is originally from Dublin and Joanne from Oxford. They met over 30 years ago in London. They wanted their children, Naomi & Hamish to be educated in Ireland hence the move to Clare in 2001.

When the children flew the nest and went to university in the UK, they decided to head back to the UK too. They wanted other people to enjoy the spectacular views from the house and relax in its comfortable surroundings and they opened their doors for people to stay via Airbnb.

On returning to Ireland in 2017 following retirement from a long nursing career, Joanne expanded the accommodation business with the addition of a Traditional Irish Cottage and established Nordic fitness Ireland after training as fitness walking instructor. As the numbers grew Tony joined Joanne and trained as an instructor but continued to work as an IT consultant.

During the pandemic of 2020 both worked full time on the business and have developed their new Walks for All programme.

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“The Hidden Benefits of Walking”, a talk by Pius Murray.

When: Wednesday, February 6th., 2019 @ 19 00

Where: Miltown Malbay Library

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