Makenzie Moyes

Dr. Sharenda Barlar & Dr. Hannah Stolze

Pilgrimage and Marketplace

18 April, 2022

Kerry Camino

The Kerry Camino has so much to offer as it has a great community and attractions along

the route, and with that, the rates of pilgrims traveling the Kerry Camino each year are increasing

at a steady rate. With the Kerry Camino being 35 miles long, it allows the route to be broken up

into 3 sections: Tralee, Annascul and Dingle. Usually each part of the Camino takes about 3-5

hours, but that also can be an exaggeration, as people often walk the Camino quicker than that.

Learning about this pilgrimage has been very exciting and interesting to find out what they offer,

and what allows pilgrims to want to return.

Throughout this paper I will first talk about the history of the Kerry Camino, what makes

it significant and if any miracles had occurred in this pilgrimage. I will then talk about the

geography and transportation along this route that helps the completion of the Kerry Camino,

and the type of practices this pilgrimage may offer with the dominant religion they may abide by.

The next portion of this paper I will focus and discuss the marketplace aspect of this pilgrimage

including stakeholders, costs, infrastructure, need and a business proposal in order to only

improve the attributions to the Kerry Camino.

The purpose of this paper is to inform my readers what pilgrimages actually consist of

and how we can continue to improve and preserve these sacred routes more people should

experience. Something I want to focus on throughout my paper is the research question of In

what ways can we as pilgrims keep the Kerry Camino sustainable and well-known?
 The Kerry Camino is full of historical attributes that make it into the pilgrimage it is

today and the standards it may hold. In 512 AD St. Brendan, who was one of Ireland’s most

famous saints, was the first one to walk this camino. This pilgrimage starts at St. John’s Church,

and ends at St. James Church. This allowed St. Brendan to walk through “rugged, mountainous,

coastal scenery, on through towns and villages” (About the Kerry Camino, 2019). From this

treacherous route, St. Brendan was believed to take monks and pilgrims to St. James Church and

Dingle to complete his journey. When he then reached Dingle, he traveled to Mount Brandon

which is the highest mountain in this part of the Kerry Camino, and here he was able to receive a

vision of paradise island in the Atlantic. In order to find this paradise Island, St. Brendan had to

go to the sea in a currach, a traditional Irish boat. Some other part of history that is essential to

this pilgrimage is the remains of St. James was believed to be found in Northern Spain, which I

understand is not on the Camino but still makes this site significant. Finding his remains and

learning that St. James was preaching the gospel in present day Galacia made his remains result

in a religious shrine for a historical point for this pilgrimage. Due to this type of history, the

Kerry Camino offers many celebrations for it to be recognized.

The geography for this pilgrimage is full of rigid terrain and treacherous trails, so it is not

often encouraged for beginners or pilgrims with no education on this route. As said before the

Kerry Camino is 35 miles long. It has restaurants and pubs for people to go in and meet others

experiencing the same physical journey, so they can build community and relationships. This

pilgrimage is not a pilgrimage you can show up unannounced to, as you would have to reserve a

bed and breakfast to stay at.

 The Kerry Camino is a Christian pilgrimage that offers certain practices in order to

appreciate the spiritual aspects of this pilgrimage. One thing the Kerry Camino offers is to visit

the shrine of St. James Apostle and learn about who he was and why is so significant to this

route. Another thing the Kerry Camino offers is to emphasize that people should walk to connect

spiritually in nature and find themselves or a deeper meaning to life or questions. Tithing,

fasting, and fixed hour prayers are also provided for people who may want to be more spiritual

along this journey (Camino Conversations, 2020). These actions have had such an impact for

travelers on the Camino and have really emphasized the greatness of their experience spiritually,

mentally and physically. It has allowed people to transform and connect with others, all while

being conscious of their faith and learning from what this Camino has brought to them.

Some of the transportation the Kerry Camino offers is walking, buses, and bikes. The

buses offered help transport your luggage to the next stop of the pilgrimage so you do not have to

carry all of your heavy things, which makes this journey more enjoyable. Along with these areas

of transportation, they also offer around the clock emergency assistance to help anyone in need

along the route (6 Day Kerry Camino, 2021). They do little things like this in order to make the

pilgrimage more enjoyable so more tourists would want to return and enjoy this experience

again. What people realized from working on the pilgrimage is that their biggest marketers are
people who have experienced this journey already. People who have walked the Kerry Camino

then go home and educate others on the journey they have been through, and encourage others to

take the route. The more pilgrims who have completed the Kerry Camino and enjoyed their

experience, the more others will hear about it and decide to go, which will then give the Camino

more money for them to continue. As there is not a confirmed number of pilgrims that walk the

Kerry Camino each year, what we do know is that the number is at an increasing steady rate

(Kerry Camino: Kerry Camino Hiking Tours, 2021). The first year the Camino was open, they

had 35 pilgrims walk the pilgrimage, and as of last year they had up to 450 people and then had

to cap it off for safety reasons (Walking the Kerry Camino, 2021). People enjoy the hospitality

and community this Camino has formed as well as the other aspects it has to offer. The more

pilgrimages have to offer, the easier it can be for continuous tourist attraction.

To go on the Kerry Camino, it is something that comes with a cost, but not a trip that is

super expensive like other vacations or trips may be. To go on the Kerry Camino, it costs for

about a total of 399€ which is equivalent to $449.86 (Kerry Camino: Kerry Camino Hiking

Tours, 2021). With the costs it comes with logbooks, family-run guesthouses, included

breakfast, people to move your luggage, walking directions and maps, places to eat and drink,

and interesting attractions. All this included it is an enticing offer for not that much of a cost.

This pilgrimage only has one package of going on the Kerry Camino, which is the 5 day route of

traveling from Tralee to Dingle, and it is known to be moderate. A moderate trail can mean that

beginners are most likely able to do it, but just also know there may be a couple of challenges

along the way as it is completely do-able. Hillwalk Tours describes this pilgrimage as “will suit

people who are used to regular exercise” (Kerry Camino: Kerry Camino Hiking Tours, 2021).

From this moderate route you can also expect to see rigid terrain and no shoulder roads, which
can be something difficult for people who may not be used to these types of walks. Something

that is special about this trip versus others would be the community people are able to build from

this experience. With friendly hosts and welcoming bed and breakfast hotels, this encourages

people to come back to the Kerry Camino or even invite others to go for themselves.

Walking this much can definitely take a huge toll on one’s body, especially if walking

pilgrimages is something not done often. One thing that would be very essential is a supportive

pair of walking or hiking shoes, as well as having something to make sure people are hydrated

and healthy along the way. One store that offers these necessities is Decathlon, which has some

locations in Ireland, but the closest being about 3 hours away. Something recommended before

going on the Kerry Camino would be to research what it might be like, the level of the course

and what to expect from trails, and certain accommodations available on the route for people to

go to. Decathlon has numerous Tier 1 suppliers, such as Greenland, Ranson Sport Industries,

Premier Leguard, and Spanspierelles. All of these companies help manufacture the products

being put into the Decathlon stores. The pilgrims and tourists on this pilgrimage or seeking to go

on it with supplies and help from Decathlon are the stakeholders in this circumstance.

Stakeholders can also be any customers that have bought supplies from the Decathlon stores and

have used their products towards other activities. Stakeholders can be the employees that work

at Decathlon, as they help put out consumed products and most likely get a discount themselves

for the products sold at these stores. Communities, investors, governments, suppliers are also

huge assets to the stakeholder community. These categories of people have a huge say in what

should be included in these stores for target audiences and what should be discontinued.

Stakeholders are groups of people who can influence the success of any project, and in this case,

influence the continuation of Decathlon stores around the world.

 The Kerry Camino has added infrastructure to the pilgrimage as of 2017, which is great

knowing that the people taking care of the pilgrimage like to keep it in shape and updated for

new people to come. Some small pieces of infrastructure that is included on this Camino is

forms of extra signage along the routes, benches and generally a wider knowledge along the area

(Berry, 2019). Some goods and services that are placed along the pilgrimage are local Irish food

with pubs accessible to all that wish to go inside. The Irish food and pubs allow people to join

one another in community and be together through Irish songs and alcoholic beverages. People

have shared many stories about the way they feel during the Pub community, and how rewarding

it is to them and so many others. With the Kerry Camino taking place in Ireland, pilgrims will be

able to experience Irish culture by the experiences and traditions offered. Another service the

Kerry Camino offers is bed and breakfast guest houses for people to stay in, host homes, and a

one night stay in a 4 star hotel in Tralee. These lodging places offer food, more community, and

a comfortable sleeping arrangement. For pilgrims to know they have this available is assuring,

as other pilgrimages may not offer these same accommodations. Having these places for

pilgrims to stay is very essential in the market aspect of this area. Knowing that people will be
taken care of, and put into places with good ratings and care, this will make more people want to

return as well as make the experience more enjoyable, in the long run. This can make the Kerry

Camino well-known to others as the services being provided are acceptable to pilgrims and

tourists wanting to visit. A service the Kerry Camino makes sure all people know about is the

around the clock emergency assistance. With this feature taking place on this Camino, it allows

more pilgrims and even tourists to feel extra safe when doing this journey, as well as feel

confident in their walking notes that cover landmarks. Knowing that this pilgrimage can be more

treacherous, as the terrain is rigid in some areas, around the clock emergency assistance is a

must.

Even with the accommodations the Kerry Camino offers for pilgrims and tourists,

something that could be a great addition to this particular pilgrimage would be more technology

throughout the journey. This may sound like it is a need that could be contradicting to the point

of a pilgrimage, and that may be true, but it is also something that could improve the Kerry

Camino and what it has to offer in the future. Generations and technology are both evolving, and

to assist with keeping up in this area technology should be included as a minor detail.

Technology should not take over the whole Camino and deprive the experience, but it should be

something that can enhance the adventure for those wanting to walk the Kerry Camino.

Greenways Heritage has mentioned they are inventing a 360º virtual experience for those

who want to know what they are getting into ahead of time, and also for the people who have no

ability to get to the Kerry Camino in the first place. Whether it is disability or financial

problems, the Kerry Camino wants everyone to experience what it could be like in a simulation

(Greenway Heritage, 2022). This simulation brings more information and education to people

who have not taken a pilgrimage before and has brought more attraction and value to the
resources being used to create this simulation. What people want from the pilgrims and tourists

that use their pilgrimage is restoration and preservation. Having more internet and technology

can make this goal happen. This gateway of new tourism allows promotion for UNESCO and

new heritage sites near other greenways to become fundamental and a characterizing part of

them. The goal of the new technology that would be a great addition to pilgrimages is to become

a Web-GIS multi-platform so it can be as realistic as possible for virtual pilgrims. Also having

technology on the route, would not only be for the use of multi-platforms, but also for pilgrims to

have service when needed along the journey. It becomes more of security and guidance along a

route a lot of people have not been on. Being educated about the path you are walking on is the

most important, and knowing how to keep it in good shape for other pilgrims in years to come is

essential. Technology can help in this area. As a good to the pilgrims, this can be more

sustainable for future years. Tourism products are constantly being produced and evolving to fit

the desired population, and new technology can help accommodate any desired needs and

services pilgrimages aspire to have.

The more uncomfortable people get while on a pilgrimage, the quicker they want to get it

over with due to not having an enjoyable experience. One area in particular that can make the

Kerry Camino less enjoyable is the weather. Ireland is known to rain a lot throughout the year

and pilgrims might not have come prepared. In order to make sure pilgrims are the most

comfortable, they might need rain boots, a rain jacket, a water resistant backpack to keep

belongings dry, and appropriate attire to wear for the Camino. As mentioned earlier in the paper,

one store that can help with all of these needs would be Decathlon. Decathlon has everything

from bikes, to water bottles, to hiking poles, to gloves and binoculars. It has everything one

would need in order to go on a long hike which is exactly what the Camino would be.
Researching about the Kerry Camino before going to Decathlon is vital, as the closest store to

this pilgrimage is around 3 hours away.

After researching more and finding out about the goods Decathlon has to offer, this

company is focused around recyclable materials. When discussing raw materials they

manufacture, Decathlon made sure to include that their products “use renewable, recycled and

raw-recyclable materials” (Best Gear, Clothing and Footwear for All Sports, 2022). The

suppliers of Decathlon meet the conditions of safe working environments and chemical risk

protection. The suppliers also “require each of our suppliers to meet the United Nations' Guiding

Principles on Business and Human Rights” (Best Gear, Clothing and Footwear for All Sports,

2022). From looking at the manufacturing side of this business Decathlon has shared a statement

of “Since 2020, we've been using only sustainably-sourced cotton in partnership with the Better

Cotton Initiative (BCI). We also are eliminating PFCs (perfluorinated compounds) in

production” (Best Gear, Clothing and Footwear for All Sports, 2022). From a distribution

standpoint, Decathlon looks for optimized supply chain management and reduced retail prices.

Something that this company also strives for is minimal retail footprint so it can lower indirect

costs. Seeing their supply chain management, you can tell that Decathlon cares about their

customers and wants what is best suitable for them. Decathlon’s mission for their customers is

“to make sports and the outdoors more accessible to everybody, while protecting our planet”

(Best Gear, Clothing and Footwear for All Sports, 2022). This company’s goal is to be available

and financially practical enough for customers to enjoy their products. Decathlon wants

adventurous people to choose their option, as well as making it a cheaper option for everyone to

feel like they are able to get the products they want and need.
 At the end of the day, all pilgrims want is to form a community with others and complete

the pilgrimage with getting a spiritual movement out of it. Decathlon can play a small role in

that by just having the products needed for pilgrims to have a better experience on this journey.

Without knowing it, Decathlon can make people’s pilgrimage more comfortable and sustainable.

With using more technology as well as these sustainable products sold by this store, pilgrims will

be making the Kerry Camino more well-known in a more efficient way. Pilgrimages are for the

purpose of people finding community and walking through a spiritual journey, but also getting a

passport with a stamp to show completion. Everyone comes to the Kerry Camino with different

backgrounds and stories, but that does not matter. All people want is to get to know more of one

another, and walk on this journey together. Hospitality is so important as welcoming others who

may not have ever felt welcomed before ends up being extremely rewarding. In order to keep

community and spiritual growth going, it is key that we continue a sustainable lifestyle and

encourage it for years to come. Spreading word of mouth about the Kerry Camino and sharing

good things can make it more well-known across the world, as people from everywhere come

together in light of this pilgrimage. Pilgrims not only go to the Kerry Camino to walk 35 miles,

but also play a huge role in the way this journey is set up for not only them, but for others to

come.
 References

“6 Day Kerry Camino (Tralee - Dingle).” Magic Hill Holidays, 29 Nov. 2021,

https://www.magichillholidays.com/packages/kerry-camino-tralee-dingle/.

“About the Kerry Camino: Introduction / History.” Kerry Camino, 1 July 2019,

https://kerrycamino.com/about/.

“Best Gear, Clothing and Footwear for All Sports.” Decathlon,

https://www.decathlon.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjw9qiTBhBbEiwAp-GE0T8Qrx9ra788Ap04

VF3wdlely4vpM_PpIPFJjZ-2gO_N8jh7YirdexoC4dgQAvD_BwE.

Berry, Ellie. “Tough Soles 👣 Trail 19 (Part 1): The Kerry Camino.” Tough Soles, Tough Soles,

14 June 2019, https://toughsoles.ie/blog/2017/9.

Camino Conversations: Exploring Pilgrimage as a Spiritual ...

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Hiking Tours,

https://www.hillwalktours.com/camino-de-santiago/kerry-camino/moderate-hikes/5-day-

moderate/.

Greenways Heritage, https://www.greenwaysheritage.org/.

“Kerry Camino: Kerry Camino Hiking Tour: Camino Ireland.” Hillwalk Tours Self-Guided

Hiking Tours,
 https://www.hillwalktours.com/camino-de-santiago/kerry-camino/moderate-hikes/5-day-

moderate/.

“Walking the Kerry Camino - a Trip along the Wild Atlantic Way.” IrishCentral.com, 12 Jan.

2021, https://www.irishcentral.com/travel/walking-kerry-camino-trip-wild-atlantic-way.