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As World Youth Day (WYD) Lisbon gets closer, we ' re thrilled to introduce and follow the stories of our twenty six pilgrims!

Introducing our pilgrims...

Lisa, Daisy, Hazel, Sophiya, Amy, David, Hugh, Will, Joel and Daniel from Derby Deanery

Nicosia and Christopher from Leicester Deanery

Josepha from Loughborough Deanery

Andreia from North Lincolnshire Deanery

Kyla, Alex and Chidiogo from Nottingham Deanery

Jean from Sherwood Deanery

Daniel and Luke from South Lincolnshire Deanery

Accompanied by... Father Neil Peoples, Father Liam Carpenter, Father Lim Gamsi, Michael Furey (Seminarian), Sister Dorothy, and Bishop Patrick McKinney

I have always loved the wild western areas of our islands where high hills and sheer cliffs meet the everchanging sea. I was born and bred in Devon and delighted in walking the 630 miles from Minehead to Poole harbour along the SW Coast Path Snowdonia and the Western Highlands and Islands of Scotland have drawn me many times. Until 2023, however, I had only visited Ireland twice: once to Co Kerry for a walking holiday, and once to Dublin for Sr Briege McKenna’s Intercession for Priests. Last year, I ministered to Father Robert Rutledge at the end of his life and preached at his Requiem I was sorry I couldn’t get to Ballina, Co Mayo, for his burial. However, this spurred me to travel to the west of Ireland this May.

We avoided the fast A55 and drove to Holyhead along Telford’s A5, winding across rivers, past lakes, and through dramatic mountains A mercifully calm crossing, charging the EV, courtesy of Irish Ferries, landed us in Dublin for an overnight stay near the airport