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John G O’Dywer’s book is a paean to the penitents of old, to those who felt the need to travel to often remote places where they believed a greater spiritual resonance existed. Because of their faith we now have a network of trails criss-crossing the country, from Slieve Mish to Skellig Michael. The trails range from the benign to the challenging, the latter of which require some hillwalking experience and common sense. The author has an extensive mountaineering CV, and his articles on walks, near and far, have appeared in the travel section of this newspaper’s Saturday Magazine. Here O’Dwyer has documented 15 pilgrim paths entertainingly and questioningly. He does not skimp on the details of how to follow each trail, and each description is accompanied by a useful map and overview. This volume is a great addition to the seasoned hillwalker’s library.
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