This free symposium will celebrate pilgrimage and ask three vital questions: ‘How do you create a successful pilgrim route?’, ‘What’s in it for all of us?’ And ‘Is there a difference between a tourist and a pilgrim? The event marks the launch of the new Wexford-Pembrokeshire Pilgrim Way that will link Ferns in North Wexford with St Davids in Pembrokeshire and is part of the wider EU funded Ancient Connections project connecting these two regions through arts, heritage and tourism.

The programme begins on Saturday 11th March with a keynote speech given by Satish Kumar, a trustee of the British Pilgrimage Trust. Kumar undertook a peace pilgrimage from India to Moscow, London, Paris, and America in 1962 and he has subsequently devoted his life to campaigning for ecological regeneration, social justice and spiritual fulfilment. Now in his 80s, Kumar is an inspirational speaker, teacher and author. This is followed by an action packed day, combining chaired sessions as well as inclusive discussion forums. Lucy Von Weber of Visit Wales and Andrew Smith and Jill de Azevedo of Faillté Ireland will speak about spiritual tourism in Wales and Ireland. Other speakers include Ruben Heijloo, Director of Nordic Pilgrim, Very Reverend Dr Sarah Rowland-Jones, Dean of St Davids Cathedral and John G O'Dwyer, Chairman of Pilgrim Paths Ireland. There will be opportunities to explore pilgrimage practice as well as time to chat and network with other attendees. The second day on Sunday 12th March is an optional extra, where participants will have the chance to walk some of the new pilgrim route in Wexford or participate in a pilgrimage singing workshop and reflect on ideas emerging from the day before.

It is expected that the symposium will appeal to and attract a wide range of people from different backgrounds including local businesses in the hospitality, tour guide and accommodation industries, spiritual tourism specialists and policy makers, academics and researchers, local government representatives and community members

A broad spectrum of stakeholders and partners have been involved in shaping the event programme, including the British Pilgrimage Trust who are leading on the development of the new pilgrim route along with Pilgrim Paths Ireland, Journeying and Guided Pilgrimage. Staff at St Davids Cathedral & Diocese, who are celebrating Year of Pilgrimage in 2023, have also been key stakeholders in the process. A number of individual specialists have also contributed such as Bernadette Flanagan: Associate Professor in Spirituality South East Technological University (Wexford), Christopher Catling: Chief Executive of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales and Chair of Welsh Places of Worship and Jaeyeon Choe, Lecturer in Tourism and Events at Glasgow Caledonian University.

The symposium is free and includes lunch. Dinner is an optional extra that delegates can book for but need to pay the hotel for this at registration. Accommodation and travel are the responsibility of delegates. Booking is on a first come first served basis.

For further details about the programme and links and suggestions for travel and accommodation please go to the Ancient Connections website

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