Boyne Valley Camino: Walking Ireland's "Celtic Camino"
Trail Facts & Stats
Distance: 25 km (Loop).
Time: 5 – 6 hours.
Start/End: St. Peter’s Church, West Street (Drogheda).
Difficulty: Moderate (Mostly flat, but 25km is a long day).
Terrain: Forest trails, riverside greenway, and minor roads.
Official Status: Accredited "Celtic Camino" (Counts towards your Santiago Compostela).
What is the Boyne Valley Camino?
The Boyne Valley Camino is a 25km looped walk that starts and ends in the medieval town of Drogheda. Unlike other trails, this is an official Celtic Camino. This means if you complete this walk and get your passport stamped, you can combine it with the 75km "English Way" (Camino Inglés) from A Coruña to Santiago de Compostela to earn your official Pilgrim Certificate (Compostela).
It connects some of Ireland's most historic sites, looping through Townley Hall Woods, Mellifont Abbey, and the Battle of the Boyne site at Oldbridge.
How to Get Your Passport & Stamps
You cannot just walk it; you need to prove it!
The Passport: Buy your Official Camino Passport online from the Camino Society Ireland or pick one up at the Drogheda Tourist Office (The Tholsel) on West Street.
Stamping Locations: You need to collect stamps along the route to validate your walk. Key locations include:
Start: St. Peter’s Church (Drogheda).
Mid-Point: Old Mellifont Abbey (OPW Office).
The Village: Lynch’s Supermarket or The Morning Star Pub (Tullyallen).
History Check: Oldbridge House (Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre).
Finish: Clarke's Bar or the Tourist Office (Drogheda).
Stage 1: Drogheda to Mellifont Abbey Approx 12km
The route begins at St. Peter's Church. Look for the Yellow Arrows and the distinct Camino "Shell" symbols. You leave the town following the River Boyne before cutting inland through Townley Hall Woods. This section is peaceful and green, eventually dropping you down to the Cistercian ruins of Mellifont Abbey (founded 1142). Take a break here—it’s the perfect lunch spot.
Stage 2: Mellifont to Oldbridge House Approx 8km
From the Abbey, the trail loops back via the village of Tullyallen. You then descend through King William’s Glen—a key location in the 1690 Battle of the Boyne. You will emerge at Oldbridge House. Even if you are tired, go into the Visitor Centre to get your stamp.
Stage 3: The Boyne Greenway to Drogheda Approx 5km
The final leg is the easiest. You join the Boyne Greenwayat the canal lock gates. It’s a flat, paved path running alongside the river, leading you straight back into the heart of Drogheda. The route technically finishes back at St. Peter’s Church, but many hikers finish at Clarke's Bar on Peter Street to celebrate with a "Pilgrim's Pint".
Practical Tips
Parking: Use the Town Centre car parks in Drogheda (Laurence Town Centre is handy), or park halfway at Oldbridge House if you want to split the walk into two days.
Gear: Runners are usually fine in summer, but the forest sections in Townley Hall can get muddy—light hiking boots are safer.
Timing: Start early (by 10 AM) to ensure the stamping locations at Mellifont and Oldbridge are open when you arrive.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are training for Spain or just want a historic day out, the Boyne Valley Camino is special. It’s one of the few walks in Ireland where the "goal" isn't just a view, but a connection to a centuries-old tradition of pilgrimage.
