Photography by Paul Connor/Louth County Council
(L-R) Nichola Duffy, Scotch Hall S.C.; Dusty Flanagan, Boyne Valley Camino Group; Marcos Gómez Román, Xunta de Galicia; Antonio Leira Piñeiro, Provincial Deputy, A Coruña Provincial Council, Galicia; Cllr Declan Power, Mayor of the Borough District of Drogheda; Manuel Mirás Franqueira, Honorary President of the Asociación de Concellos do Camiño Inglés; Cristian Font Calderon, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Spain in Ireland; and Olivia McCormack, Louth County Council photographed at the unveiling of an official Galician Mouteira located at Scotch Hall overlooking the River Boyne.
Ahead of the Boyne Valley Trails September Festival, which gets underway tomorrow, Drogheda has received an official waymarker stone from Galicia in Spain, recognising the Boyne Camino as an official Camino route.
The Boyne Valley Trails September Festival continues until September 20, with a programme that includes a guided walk along the Boyne Camino and a two-day trek celebrating the 40th anniversary of the An Táin Trail on the Cooley Peninsula.
This year’s festival has also been expanded to feature food and wellness events, giving locals and visitors even more ways to explore and enjoy the region.
A new official Galician Camino waymarker has been unveiled in Drogheda, celebrating the centuries-old pilgrimage connection between the town and Galicia in northern Spain.
The traditional granite Mouteira, featuring the familiar Camino shell and arrow symbols, was presented by the regional government of Galicia, the Xunta de Galicia, and unveiled at Scotch Hall overlooking the River Boyne.
Its location reflects Drogheda’s historic role as a departure point for medieval pilgrims who travelled by sea to A Coruña before continuing on foot to Santiago de Compostela.
That connection has been revived in recent years through the Boyne Valley Camino, a 25km walking route beginning and ending in Drogheda which can form part of the wider 100km Celtic Camino.
A permanent link between Drogheda and Galicia
The Mouteira marks the distance from Drogheda to Santiago de Compostela and will remain as a permanent feature of the Boyne Valley Camino.
The unveiling brought together guests from Spain, elected representatives, tourism and cultural organisations, diplomatic representatives, community groups and supporters of the Camino.
The installation also recognises years of work by the Boyne Valley Camino Group, Louth County Council and Love Drogheda BID to revive the historical relationship between Drogheda and Galicia.
Mayor of the Borough District of Drogheda Cllr Declan Power said the marker represented more than simply a direction point for walkers.
“This Mouteira is much more than a waymarker. It stands as a reminder of the centuries-old links between Drogheda and Galicia and of the commitment of those who worked to bring this shared story back to life,” he said.
“The Boyne Valley Camino has become a source of enormous pride for Drogheda, attracting visitors from home and abroad while encouraging people to discover the rich heritage, landscape and history of our area.”
Centuries-old pilgrimage route
Historical research into the route has highlighted Drogheda’s importance as a medieval port for pilgrims travelling towards Santiago.
Previous Drogheda Life coverage recorded the earliest known pilgrimage from Drogheda in 1473, when then Mayor and merchant John Fowling travelled by ship towards Galicia.
In the Middle Ages, pilgrims from the North East and Midlands are understood to have travelled through Drogheda before sailing to A Coruña and walking onwards to Santiago.
Today, the Boyne Valley Camino has recreated part of that journey.
The 25km route takes walkers from St Peter’s Church on West Street through riverside paths, woodland, Old Mellifont Abbey, Tullyallen and Oldbridge before returning to Drogheda.
Relationship with Galicia continues to grow
Manuel Mirás Franqueira, Honorary President of the Asociación de Concellos do Camiño Inglés, said the connection between the two regions has developed into a wider cultural partnership.
“The relationship between Galicia and Ireland has grown into a meaningful partnership based on a shared appreciation of pilgrimage, cultural exchange and hospitality,” he said.
“The Boyne Valley Camino has played an important role in reconnecting people with historic Camino routes and demonstrating that the spirit of the Camino extends far beyond Spain. It is fitting that this Mouteira now stands in Drogheda as a visible symbol of that connection.”
Antonio Leira Piñeiro, Provincial Deputy with A Coruña Provincial Council, said the route also supports sustainable cultural tourism.
“The Camino de Santiago is one of Europe’s great cultural routes and its strength comes from the communities that sustain and celebrate it,” he said.
“The development of the Boyne Valley Camino has created a valuable link between Galicia and the east coast of Ireland, helping to promote understanding of our shared history while supporting sustainable cultural tourism.”
We are delighted to see this partnership continue to grow and flourish.”
(L-R) Manuel Mirás Franqueira, Honorary President of the Asociación de Concellos do Camiño Inglés; Marcos Gómez Román, Xunta de Galicia; and Cllr Declan Power, Mayor of the Borough District of Drogheda photographed at the unveiling of an official Galician Mouteira located at Scotch Hall overlooking the River Boyne.
‘A proud moment’
Representing the volunteer-led organisation that helped bring the project to fruition, Dusty Flanagan, Boyne Valley Camino Group, said the unveiling was the latest step in a project that began with an effort to reconnect Drogheda with the Celtic Camino.
“The unveiling of this Mouteira is a proud moment for everyone involved in the Boyne Valley Camino,” he said.
“What began as an effort to revive Drogheda’s link with the Celtic Camino de Santiago, led to setting up a new national trail in South Louth celebrating historic links with Galicia, while showcasing our hometown of Drogheda and the Boyne Valley.
“This marker, located where the boats left Drogheda for La Coruña in the Middle Ages, will remind future generations of walkers of the connection between Drogheda and Galicia, and of the many people and organisations who worked together to make it possible.”
The Boyne Valley Camino has been developed with permanent wayfinding signage using the Camino scallop shell and arrow symbols.
Eugene Flanagan, dressed as a traditional Celtic Camino pilgrim and Cllr Declan Power, Mayor of the Borough District of Drogheda photographed at the unveiling of an official Galician Mouteira located at Scotch Hall overlooking the River Boyne.
Tourism benefits for Drogheda
Thomas McEvoy, Deputy Chief Executive of Louth County Council, said the Camino had become an important part of Drogheda’s tourism offering.
“The Boyne Valley Camino has become an important part of Drogheda’s tourism offering and a key element of the wider Boyne Valley story,” he said.
“International partnerships such as the one celebrated here today help raise the profile of our region and create opportunities to attract more visitors to Louth.”
That benefits not only our tourism sector, but also our communities, local businesses and cultural attractions. Initiatives such as the Boyne Valley Camino and Boyne Valley Flavours continue to strengthen the reputation of the Boyne Valley as a world-class destination to visit, live and work in.”
Trevor Connolly, CEO of Love Drogheda BID, said the route also brings direct benefits to businesses in the town centre.
“The Boyne Valley Camino brings real benefits to Drogheda’s town centre. Visitors who come to walk the route eat in our cafés and restaurants, shop in local businesses and spend time exploring the town. The installation of this Mouteira further strengthens Drogheda’s position as an important gateway on the Camino journey and provides another reason for visitors to stop, stay and experience what our town has to offer. Tourism investment like this supports local jobs, drives footfall and helps create a vibrant and thriving town centre.”
The Mouteira forms a permanent feature of the Boyne Valley Camino, welcoming walkers, pilgrims and visitors while commemorating the lasting friendship between Galicia and the Boyne Valley.
The Boyne Valley Camino follows a route through the historic landscapes of Counties Louth and Meath before linking with the historic maritime crossing between the east coast of Ireland and Spain. Inspired by medieval pilgrim journeys, the route has helped develop new cultural and tourism links between Ireland and Galicia and continues to attract walkers and visitors from across Ireland and overseas.
Mayor of the Borough District of Drogheda, Cllr Declan Power, said:
“This Mouteira is much more than a waymarker. It stands as a reminder of the centuries-old links between Drogheda and Galicia and of the commitment of those who worked to bring this shared story back to life. The Boyne Valley Camino has become a source of enormous pride for Drogheda, attracting visitors from home and abroad while encouraging people to discover the rich heritage, landscape and history of our area.”
