Ancient pilgrim trail is Ireland's answer to the Spanish Camino

Linking Cashel with Ardmore, this trail follows the route taken by St Declan on his way to meet St Patrick

St Declan's Way: A fully upgraded, 115km walking route commemorating his historic journey to Cashel was re-opened recently

Imagine if you can, celebrating Ireland’s national holiday not in March, but in summer. It's hard to visualise the occasion with barbecues and beach parties, isn't it? 

Yet, it could have happened, because July 24 commemorates an Irish saint whose credentials are comparable to those of St Patrick. Regarded by many historians as having predated our national apostle as the first Christian missionary in Ireland, St Declan of Ardmore is, nevertheless, virtually unknown outside his native Waterford.