Wellness and Touring Ireland with Ilona

25/10/2024

Amazing - but not surprising - what top chefs of the world have to say about Irish Food.

This video showcases all that is Ireland's food culture and how it is perceived by some of the world's best chefs. Captured at Food On The Edge featuring…

24/10/2024

It’s been black clouds over the hills all day but hardly any drops, and a bit breezy.
Different views of the Wicklow Mountains from a stunning golf course - not sure where I’d rather be, on the top of the mountain or the golf course?

Powerscourt Golf Club
Powerscourt Estate

09/10/2024

As part of October Feast next week, I’ll be guiding two Wellness walks, come and join me and like minded.
Enjoy the outdoors and take time out for yourself, try some delicious snacks and take home some new healthy habits on how to keep your energy levels up throughout a busy day.
Tuesday, 15th Oct -10am, Kilmacanogue to walk around the Sugar Loaf (good fitness level as there are some slopes, good hiking gear required)
Thursday, 17th Oct - 10am
A lesser known route in Glendalough (suitable for normal fitness level)
Both €25 please book at https://wellnesstourguide.ie/wicklow-naturally-october.../
Wicklow Naturally

13/09/2024

Delighted to be part of the Red Line Book Festival in Clondakin, where I will take my Wellness Walk to the beautiful Corkagh Park.

Read more about this event and book your place here:

https://redlinefestival.ie/events/wellness-walk-with-ilona-madden

Experience how good "Wellbeing" feels during this relaxed walk taking in the beauty of this wonderful park on the doorstep of Clondalkin Village. Ilona Madden, who is not only an experienced tourist guide, but also a Health & Nutrition Coach, will lead the walk and tell you about the park's history and will connect what we see to how we can create healthier habits and live happier lives.

But of course, you will also be encouraged to experience wellbeing for yourself: There'll be a little challenge, there'll be walking in silence and mindfulness practice, there will be a little picnic with healthy snacks - and plenty of time to re-connect with yourself and with like-minded.

You will not only enjoy a fun morning but just like reading a good book, there will be lots of "food for thought" that you can take home and put into practice straight away.

Please inform the organiser if you have any food allergies or intolerances as there will be some snacks provided. We will try and accommodate you, but cannot guarantee.

Please make sure to wear good appropriate footwear and be prepared for the weather (this could be rain gear or sunscreen!)

03/08/2024

Just finished a wonderful garden tour around Ireland.
Malahide Castle and Gardens
Kilgar House Gardens
Kilbeggan Distillery
Birr Castle Demesne
(near Limerick)
(near Foynes)
Celtic Steps The Show
Mucross House Killarney
Derrynane Gardens
Garnish Island
Blarney Castle
HUNTING BROOK GARDENS
June Blake's Garden
Powerscourt Estate
National Botanic Gardens of Ireland
The Little Museum of Dublin
Guinness Storehouse

22/07/2024

As I'm going to walk the Bray Camino this Thursday, I've been looking a bit more into the history and the attraction of walking a Camino.
I find it quite interested that even in Medieval times, people were keen to share their achievements with others. The pilgrims brought back home the StJames Shells and a certificate that they completed their pilgrimage.

BTW, there are still some places left, if you like to join at last minute, but I'd need to know by tomorrow evening.

https://wellnesstourguide.ie/bray-camino/

You might have heard of Santiago di Compostela, but what actually is COMPOSTELA ?

The Compostela is a certificate issued by the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela to pilgrims who have completed a significant portion of the Camino.

It serves as an official acknowledgement of the pilgrim’s dedication and effort in completing the pilgrimage of St James.

HISTORY OF THE COMPOSTELA
The Compostela, a revered certificate given to pilgrims who complete the Camino de Santiago, has a rich history dating back centuries.

It is a testament to the enduring tradition and significance of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela and one that has been awarded for centuries.

Let’s delve into the fascinating history of this cherished document:

Origins and St James
The origins of the Compostela can be traced back to the 9th century when the tomb of Saint James the Apostle was discovered in the region of Galicia, Spain.

Saint James, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, was believed to have preached the Gospel in the Iberian Peninsula before returning to Jerusalem, where he was martyred.

According to legend, the body of Saint James was carried by boat from Jerusalem to the coast of Galicia and buried in what is now the city of Santiago de Compostela.

The location of the tomb was lost for several centuries until its miraculous rediscovery in the early 9th century.

The Camino de Santiago and Pilgrimage Culture
As news of the discovery of Saint James’s tomb spread, pilgrims from all over Europe began to make their way to Santiago de Compostela, establishing what would later become known as the Camino de Santiago, or the Way of St. James.

The pilgrimage became one of the most significant religious journeys of the Middle Ages, rivaling even the pilgrimages to Rome and Jerusalem.

Throughout the medieval period, the Camino de Santiago flourished, attracting pilgrims from various walks of life, including nobility, clergy, and commoners.

The pilgrimage became not only a religious undertaking but also a cultural and social phenomenon that transcended national boundaries.

Compostela as a Symbol of Completion
As the number of pilgrims increased, there arose a need to identify and reward those who completed the journey. Thus, the Compostela certificate was established.

Early Compostelas were handwritten Latin documents that acknowledged the pilgrim’s devotion and dedication to Saint James.

Over the centuries, the Compostela’s format and design evolved, incorporating decorative elements and images related to Saint James.

Despite these changes, the certificate’s significance as a symbol of pilgrimage completion remained steadfast.

Bray Camino St James Day, Thursday, 25th July 2024 – 10am Start: St. James Church, Dublin Finish: Bray Seafront The Bray Camino is a 32k route along the coastline of Dublin Bay which is one of the official Celtic Camino routes in Ireland. This will be my 4th time doing this Camino, and I think it....

19/07/2024

Why walking the Camino on the Feast Day of St. James?

In the Catholic tradition, Saint James is the patron saint of Spain and, according to legend, his remains are held in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. This name Santiago is the local evolution of the Latin genitive Sancti Iacobi, "(church or sanctuary) of Saint James" (evolved into a personal name in Spanish, and also in Portuguese -Tiago-, with its derivatives Diego/Diogo).

The traditional pilgrimage to the grave of the saint, known as the "Way of St. James", has been the most popular pilgrimage for Western European Catholics from the Early Middle Ages onwards, although its modern revival and popularity stem from Walter Starkie's 1957 book, The Road to Santiago. The Pilgrims of St. James.

Officially, 327,378 pilgrims registered in 2018 as having completed the final 100 kilometres (62 mi) walk (200 kilometres (120 mi) by bicycle) to Santiago to qualify for a Compostela.

When 25 July falls on a Sunday, it is a "Holy Year" (a Jacobean holy year) and a special east door is opened for entrance into Santiago
Cathedral. Jubilee years follow a 6-5-6-11 pattern (except when the last year of a century is not a leap year, which can yield a gap of 7 or 12 years).
In the 2004 Holy Year, 179,944 pilgrims were received at Compostela. In the 2010 Holy Year, the number had risen to 272,412.
The most recent of such Holy Year was 2021; the next will be 2027.

There have always been Irish pilgrims since Medival times taking on the journey to Santiago for various reasons.
I'm looking forward to doing the Bray Camino next Thu, 25th on St James Day, and you can still join in if you like.
Get the official passport and stamps from and Camino Society Ireland

15/07/2024

What is the Celtic Camino?

The Cathedral of Santiago has agreed to grant a Compostela to pilgrims who complete the 75k Camino Ingles route from A Coruna to Santiago, as long as they have already completed a certified 25km pilgrimage in their country of origin. A Coruna has many historical links to Ireland, including being the main port of disembarkation for Irish Pilgrims in medical times.
This provides Irish pilgrims with great opportunity to dopart of the Camino at home before starting Camino Ingles in A Coruna.

(from Camino Society Ireland leaflet)

I'll be leading the Bray Camino on St James Day this year 25th July. Let me know if you are interested to join.

A Camino is some time out to reflect. Take this day out of your busy schedule and challenge yourself a little physically and mentally, but most importantly, enjoy it.

The scenic route along Dublin Bay, enjoy a dip in the sea if you like and some of the healthy snacks I'll organise. Relax, knowing you'll be in good hands. Enjoy chats about health and wellbeing with like-minded.

Photo below: Walking through Ringsend

10/07/2024

Etapas O Camiño Celta: de Irlanda a Santiago Estes territorios albergan rutas históricas que os peregrinos poden percorrer camiño de Santiago de Compostela. Os textos literarios amósannos os vínculos entre os irlandeses e A Coruña, entre eles destaca o Leabhar Gabhála (O libro das invasións)...

02/07/2024

Did you know that there are 9 official Irish Caminos?

One of them is my "local" one, and I'm going to do it again on St James Day this year Thursday, 25th July 2024.

Are you going to join?

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/939540961307?aff=oddtdtcreator

Join me to walk the Bray Camino - starting at St James Church, Dublin (Camino Society) and walking towards Bray