The tradition of pilgrimage to Brandon Mountain dates back to the earliest times, before the pagan deity Crom Dubh was ousted from the mountain by St Brendan (d. 577 or 583). possibly the early Christian Saints sanctified the pagan Lúnasa celebrations. The route follows the Saints’ Path from Ventry Strand to the grotto in BallyBrack. Winding its way among the fuchsia-hedged fields between the sea and the mountain, the path is rich in bird and plant life, heritage and ancient sites. Along the route the archaeological sites include Rahinnane Castle, Kilcolman, Teampall Cluanach, Gallarus Oratory and the Romanesque church at Kilmalkedar.
Traditionally the Saint’s Path extended to St. Brendan’s oratory near the summit of Mount Brandon, this part of the route is marked by stations of the Cross, in modern times the route ends by the grotto at the foot of the mountain. The mountain is hazardous, and is prone to sudden disorientating mists. Walkers proceed to the summit entirely at their own risk.
Tuairisc ar Chosán na Naomh
Téann traidisiún Chosán na Naomh siar na cianta cairbreacha, siar roimh Naomh Bréanainn (+ 577 nó 583) a dhibir Crom Dubh, an dia págánach, óna láthair ar bharr Chnoc Bréanainn. Is é is dóichí ná gur bheannaigh agus gur naomhaigh na céad mhisinéirí gnás creidimh a bhain le ceiliúradh Lúnasa ar an gcnoc. Tosnaíonn Cosán na Naomh ar Thráigh Fionntrá agus leanann ar aghaidh go dtí an fochla ag bun Chnoc Bréanainn i mBaile Breac. As sin ar aghaidh go haireagal Bhréanainn ar mhullach an chnoic tá an tslín marcálta le Stáisiúin na Croise, ach ní ghabhann an cosán thar an bhfochla. Go dtí sin téann an cosán trí dhúiche atá an-álainn le radharc ar mhuir is ar tír, trí shaibhreas aitinn órga agus dheora dearga Dé, le ceol éan agus gearrcach sa samhradh. I gcóngar an chosáin tá Caisleán Ráth Fhionnáin, Cíll na gColmán lena cloch cháiliúil oghaim, Teampall na Cluanach lena shaibhreas seandálaíochta. Téann an cosán thar Aireagal Ghallarais, agus Eaglais rómhánúil Chill Mhaol Céadair. Stadann sé sa Bhaile Bhreac. Tá an tslí go barr an chnoic dúshlánach le baol ceoigh agus eile. Téann siúlóirí níos sia ar a bpriacal féin.