Wellness and Touring Ireland with Ilona

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

28/06/2024

I have a Wellness Walk scheduled for tomorrow.
Normally, I would not bring my dogs, but as not many are booked in, I will bring my dogs and if you want to bring yours that's fine too, as long as they're on the lead and don't fight with other dogs.

Also, instead of a picnic, I thought, we could just call into Roundwood Stores for some of their delicious sandwiches.

Allow about 3-4 hours on this longer but flat and easy hike around the beautiful Vartry Lakes. We'll be combining the Woodland Trail and the Lower Trail and stop in the Village of Roundwood, before heading back to the Trail Car Park.

If you like to join, please confirm your spot in https://www.meetup.com/wicklow-wellness-walks/

or send me a PM.

Looking forward to hopefully seeing a few more people on the hike tomorrow!

21/06/2024

This is a really flat route, but still has some amazing scenery to enjoy. We walk around parts of the lake and as always enjoy a picnic snack with foods from local producer

20/06/2024

Day4 was Dublin City Center - no
Photos

Day 5: Bray Head - Belmont - lunch @ Killruddey
What an amazing day. We’ve been so lucky with the weather





Killruddery House and Gardens
Belmont Demesne

18/06/2024

Day 3:
Dart journey from Bray to Howth, hiking through the town up the summit and back into Howth along the Cliff Walk, finished off with Fish&Chips - of course at The Bloody Stream Howth

18/06/2024

Day 2: we started at the „Guinness Lake“ and walked up and over Djouce, into Crone Wood with a lovely view over Powerscourt Waterfall. And finished off with a lovely meal and birthday cake .

16/06/2024

Stunning Day 1 hike with another lovely groups from Germany and Austria.
Starting at Oldbridge walking into the monastic site of Glendalough and then onwards pass the Saviours Church to Laragh for lunch at The Wicklow Heather Restaurant

03/06/2024

Here are my upcoming scheduled Wicklow Wellness Walks:

Summer Solstice, Friday 14th June – Djouce Woods
Saturday, 29th June – Vartry Lakes
Friday evening 19th July, Belmont Estate
Thursday 25th July St.James Day – Bray

https://rightfood4u.ie/wellness-walks/
https://wellnesstourguide.ie/bray-camino/







Would love to see you there. For more information and for bookings, you can go on to one of my websites or book through
https://www.meetup.com/wicklow-wellness-walks/

Any questions, please post below or contact me directly.

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....

22/05/2024

Day 4:
A short notice decision to go to Giants Causeway today - instead of tomorrow. Rain Check! ☔️ 💨

We had wind and no sun, but stayed dry and had good visibility and enjoyed a lovely quiet walk along the cliffs.

The visitor Center and the „stones“ were busy but once you get up Shepherds step you are nearly on your own all the way to Dunseverick.

After the hike, my group split into afternoon tea lovers, fish&chips fans and whiskey tasters in Bushmills.

09/05/2024

Beautiful summer’s day out again today on the barge with a group of visitors - and the things you learn:
Leinster Aquaduct, amazing piece of engineering.
Seen from land by bike and from the canal, crossing the River Liffey.

https://www.bargetrip.ie/leinster-aqueduct-cruise/

08/05/2024

Lovely day with a small group today on
the Grand Canal with bikes and a barge and lunch Lock13 Gastro-Brewpub at Sallins.
Bargetrip.ie
They’ll also hire out another barge to stay - looks so cosy inside.

07/05/2024

This Saturday, I'm taking part in Darkness Into Light for Pieta to help people impacted by su***de and self-harm.

And today, ALL online donations will be MATCHED by Electric Ireland (up to €100,000)!

Support my walk today and your donation will be DOUBLED!

BTW, not only will I try to run the 5k at 4.15am, I will also play 9 holes of golf in Bray Golf Club straight afterwards at 6am!!! And go to a conference by BioCare Ireland straight afterwards to learn more on how I can help people lead happier, healthier and active lives full of energy as we age...

Please donate through my fundraising page and double your impact to bring hope and healing to people in crisis.

On Sat May 11th 2024, I’m taking part in Darkness Into Light to help raise funds for Pieta's vital services that support people affected by su***de and self-harm. Please support me by donating to my fundraising page. Thank you.

24/04/2024

Just finished my first extended tour this year.
46 German farmers from the South of Germany, experiencing 7 days of sunshine in Irelanf, visiting farms and other Irish highlights.

14/04/2024

When you are out hiking, there can be times when it gets tough, and you tell yourself - just keep taking one step at the time, keep moving forward.

It's the same when it comes to healthy lifestyle habits. Rather than trying to do EVERYTHING at once and feeling frustrated - just take one step at the time. Make one tiny change that you feel you can do, do it regularly and once this has become a habit, you don't need to worry about it anymore. And you can move on to the next step.

Never stand still - keep moving forward.

10/04/2024

JUST START!

The game of golf can show us a lot about how we approach the "game of life".

Even if you are not a golfer, these little comparisons can help create awareness and can help making small daily changes to create lasting healthy lifestyle habits.

In golf, you have a set start time (your tee time) when you begin your round of golf. You cannot be late, or you are disqualified.
If I book a tee time, it is a commitment that I'll show up.
If I don't book a tee-time, and just say to myself: "I'll see how I feel or what the weather is like tomorrow, and I'll decide then" - there's a 90% change, that I won't show up.

TIP:
Treat your daily habit like a fixed start time.

How often have you said "I will start.... - if I get a chance?"
How often have you said you'd do something, and then everything else took priority and the day is gone?
How often do you say "I should be..." but never get around to?

If there is anything, you've been putting off for a long time - and you know that your health and wellbeing will be benefitting from it, than stick it in your diary NOW!

Tell someone about it, and the date you are going to do it!

I'd love to hear, what you've stuck into your diary or simply that you've stuck something in your diary. And let us know, how you're getting on.

30/03/2024

The right or the left path?

Even marked routes don’t always have signs - and you could end up walking a very steep hill, then having to cross thru heather (not recommend for environmental reasons) until you find your path again. Or else, you go back a steep hill down.

Yep, this can be great fun. Some people love exploring hikes on their own and that’s part of the fun.

Other people though prefer to walk/hike the safer way and go with someone who knows the routes.

Which one are you?

29/03/2024

Join me for my next Wicklow Wellness Walk on Sat 6th April around the Vartry Lakes. You'll receive all the details once you've booked and confirmed.

This is a relatively easy walk, as there's no hills to climb and yet you'll get to see the Wicklow hills, and there's plenty of beautiful scenery with the lakes and forests etc.

As I'll be offering more walks like this during the year, the best thing is to join Meetup and join my group "Wicklow Wellness Walks" and you'll see all the latest ones.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

https://www.meetup.com/wicklow-wellness-walks/

https://fb.me/e/1pLNA5hND

https://rightfood4u.ie/wellness-walks/

14/03/2024

Join me on the Path to Wellness!

Just listened to this Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner giving a talk at the RCSI, and she takes her clients out for walks.

And, she covers all of the points I have scheduled to talk about during my next Wellness Walk.

Have a listen and join me next Saturday, 23rd March at 10am.

Adopting healthy habits empowers people to take control of their own wellness, according to lifestyle medicine pioneer Dr Beth Frates who addressed an RCSI M...

11/03/2024

One of the reasons, I love coming back to South Africa on my holidays is the food there!
Eating well is made easy and it is affordable (at least for visitors). This is something, I offering in Ireland this year: going for nice long walks and then enjoying delicious, healthy, locally produced foods - outdoors (even if we don’t get the South African weather, there’s something special in eating outdoors.

Will you join me?