What’s all this buzz about the Celtic Camino? Has another routes of the Camino de Santiago been added to the ever-growing list? Well, kind of—but not exactly. This one is historical, and older. We’re talking about the Camino Inglés, known in Ireland as the Celtic Camino, but not starting from A Coruña or Ferrol, but from where pilgrims originally began their journey to Santiago de Compostela: their home.
Pilgrims on the Celtic Camino, passing through Mellifont Abbey on the Boyne Valley Celtic Camino
What is the Celtic Camino?
The Celtic Camino is a historical Jacobean route that combines routes in Ireland or the UK with the Camino Inglés from A Coruña. It revives the spirit of the ancient pilgrims who, centuries ago, crossed the sea to reach Galicia and walk to Santiago de Compostela. Today, it allows pilgrims to start their Camino in their home countries, walk at least 25 km (15.5 miles) with an official credential, and complete it in Galicia to reach the 100 km (62 miles) required to obtain the Compostela.
Heads up! Don’t confuse the Celtic Camino with the also recently promoted (in terms of route promotion) Vía Céltica, a route bringing pilgrims from the Costa da Morte to Santiago de Compostela.
A bit of history about the Celtic Camino
Historically, the only option for pilgrims from Ireland and the UK to reach mainland Europe was to sail, and the safest way to do that was directly to Galicia, mainly A Coruña. For other northern European countries (think Scandinavia and the Baltics), it was often much safer and faster to sail, avoiding the dangers and conflicts on land (like the Hundred Years’ War, etc.).
Celtic Camino routes in Ireland and England (maps courtesy of the Association of Councils of the Camino Inglés)
The Celtic Camino today
So, if a pilgrim from Ireland or the UK wants to walk the Camino Inglés from A Coruña, retracing the original steps of their ancestors, walking only the 75 km (46.6 miles) from A Coruña would not be enough to receive the Compostela, as a minimum of 100 km (62 miles) is required.
Fortunately, the Jacobean authorities have made an exception, and if you walk 25 km (15.5 miles) or more on an approved route in Ireland or the UK and have proof of it in an official pilgrim credential or passport, and then continue walking from A Coruña to Santiago using that same credential, you can receive your Compostela for having completed the required 100 km (62 miles).
It’s brilliant—and any pilgrim from anywhere in the world can do it as long as they follow the rules! This has been made possible thanks to the agreement between the Camino Society Ireland CLG and the Pilgrim’s Welcome Office in Santiago de Compostela, along with the Association of Councils of the Camino Inglés, who are helping promote this historic route.
Official Irish Pilgrim Passport
What can I expect from one of these Celtic Camino routes?
Just like the Camino routes through Spain, Portugal, and France, each route in Ireland and the UK has its own unique features. One thing you can definitely expect on every Celtic Camino route in Ireland is green. Because Ireland’s climate is quite similar to Galicia’s (read: it rains a lot!), and the stereotype of rolling emerald hills is absolutely true. Among the many Irish routes, here are a few highlights:
Boyne Valley Camino
The Boyne Valley Camino is a 25 km (15.5 miles) circular route that starts in Drogheda, County Louth, and takes pilgrims along the River Boyne, through beautiful woodlands, past the historic ruins of Mellifont Abbey, and near the site of the Battle of the Boyne, which forever changed Irish history and politics—before looping back to Drogheda for a well-earned cold drink. Ireland may not produce wine like Spain, but it certainly has its own tasty refreshments!
Signage along the Boyne Valley Camino
St. Declan’s Way
On St. Declan’s Way, a five-stage linear route from Cashel, County Tipperary, you’ll find everything expected from a Camino: green landscapes, hills (or rather, mountains), ancient ruins, quaint villages, a monastery with a pilgrim hostel, and charming locals—all culminating in a stunning, end-of-the-world-style finish on a cliffside overlooking the Atlantic in Ardmore, County Waterford. Just thinking about it gives us goosebumps!
Coastal landscape at the end of St. Declan’s Way
Bray Coastal Route
The only exception to all that intense green is the Bray Coastal Route, which—as its name suggests—is a 32 km (19.8 miles) walk mostly along the Irish Sea. It begins in Bray, County Wicklow, and ends at the Church of Saint James in the heart of Dublin, where in March 2025 a statue of Saint James by Galician artist Armando Martínez was donated thanks to the Association of Councils of the Camino Inglés. We’ll trade some greenery for sea air and true Galician artwork, right?
Pilgrims on the Bray Celtic Camino
Finchale Camino
The Finchale Camino in Northern England is another gem that is growing by the day. Starting at the stunning Finchale Priory and walking as far south as Gainsford, it is well signposted with yellow arrows as far as the church of Escomb, passing through the historic city of Durham and its UNESCO-listed cathedral. It is a magnificent 34 km (21 miles) thus far, but every year it continues to grow.
Sign of the Finchale Camino
St. James´s Way
St. James´s Way is the currently the best signposted Camino in England, starting in Reading and going 110 km (68.3 miles) south to Southampton, where pilgrims would have likely then boarded a ship to sail for A Coruña. It’s a lovely walk with varied scenery, including churches, cathedrals and forests, as well as varied amenities (bed and breakfasts, pubs, etc.). There are no ships leaving from Southampton directly to A Coruña anymore… but never say never!
Pilgrims on the Celtic Camino
Will I see the yellow arrows and scallop shells I love so much?
Since permission from the Cathedral authorities was granted only recently, the official signposting process is progressing gradually in both countries, as this type of intervention on public land naturally requires local approval.
In Ireland, you’ll find the 25 km (15.5 miles) of the Boyne Valley Camino fully signposted with the beloved yellow arrows, as well as scallop shells, symbols of the Camino de Santiago, some set into locally quarried and carved stone benches. The other routes, while locally marked, don’t yet feature the yellow arrows.
In the UK, the only fully signposted route so far is the St. James’s Way from Reading to Southampton, but progress is being made on other routes too, particularly on the Finchale Camino, starting at Finchale Abbey.
Mile marker along the Bray Celtic Camino route
What about stone markers?
Ireland proudly unveiled its first marker at the start of the Bray Coastal Route in September 2023. As proof of the significance of the event, political representatives from Spain, Galicia, and Ireland attended, along with members of the Association of Councils of the Camino Inglés and Camino Society Ireland CLG. Since then, two more iconic markers have been added, with at least two more on the way for other Celtic Camino routes in Ireland.
The UK currently has one marker at the start of the Finchale Camino at Finchale Abbey, and at least three more are on the way for St. James’s Way from Reading. Stay tuned!
Celtic Camino Compostelas
Getting the Celtic Compostela
Alright—you’re convinced to escape the Spanish summer heat and head to one (or both!) of these lovely islands. But how do you start your next Camino?
First, choose your route in Ireland or the UK. Then, make sure to get your credential: you can use the official Spanish one, the Irish one from Camino Society Ireland CLG, the British one from the Confraternity of Saint James in the UK, or any other official credential. Remember: when walking, collect as many stamps as possible. Don’t forget to date them!
Once you complete one of the routes, submit your stamped pilgrim passport to the Camino Society Ireland CLG to receive your official Celtic Compostela; snap a picture and keep it safe (a similar document will soon be available for UK routes). And finally, once in Spain, walk from A Coruña to Santiago de Compostela, stamping the same credential along the historic Celtic Camino.
When you present your stamped credential (and your Celtic Compostela if you walked in Ireland) at the Pilgrim Office in Santiago de Compostela, you’ll receive your Compostela, just like thousands of pilgrims from Ireland, the UK, and northern Europe before you. Well done—and Buen Camino!
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