Pilgrimage to Derry and Iona, June 2017 – A Provisional Plan

August 15, 2015

Here is a provisional, but very exciting, plan for June 2017, which
our chairman, Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia, has asked me to
investigate and map out in more detail.

God willing, FOI hopes to organise a pilgrimage in three stages, following the journey
which Saint Columba made in the mid-sixth century, bringing the Christian faith
from his native Ireland to the north of Scotland.

In the first stage, one group of pilgrims will gather in the saint’s
home city of Derry-Londonderry, which owes its existence to a monastery
founded by the saint on an island in the River Foyle. The city is a place
of great beauty and historic resonance, and in the vicinity there are many sites 
associated with the saint, who is often known locally by his Irish name of Columkille.

In the second stage, a group of pilgrims (with priority going to younger
people) would make the voyage from the northwest of Ireland to Iona, on
a sturdy chartered vessel with an experienced and qualified skipper. The exact
timing and duration of this voyage would obviously be subject to weather
and sea conditions. Ideally, there would be stops at other places in the
Western Isles which are associated with the saint, such as Islay and Colonsay.
The whole voyage can be made in about ten hours in good conditions. But there
would be no reason to make the trip as hastily as that.

In the third stage, a group of pilgrims would welcome the seafarers
as they arrive on Iona. and then spend up to five days exploring the beloved
places on and around the island which were sanctified by Columba and his community.

Very provisionally…

The three groups would be distinct, but perhaps to some extent overlapping.
People can apply to join one or other stage of the pilgrimage.
People who are accepted for say, the first stage can expect economically
priced board and lodging for the duration of their stay in Derry; likewise
those who join the final part can expect pre-arranged and affordable
accommodation on either Iona or the immediate adjacent part of
Mull.  People who are accepted as seafarers can expect a couple of nights’
cheap board and lodging at either end.  If people are really keen to participate
in both the first and the third stage, they are very welcome to do so if they are
willing to make one of the legs at their own arrangement and expense. 

We hope very much to be able to make a more detailed announcement in
early 2016.  But people are welcome to register their interest by emailing me
at the address below.

Bruce Clark, Secretary FOI                   bruceclark17 AT hotmail.com