Ireland's President joins pilgrims on 485 mile trek across Spain

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

President Mary Mc­Aleese will leave Ireland early this week to join pious travellers from all over the world on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage.

The 780km (485 miles) pilgrimage, known in English as the "Way of St James", traditionally begins in the Pyrenees mountain range of the Spanish-French border and ends at Santiago's cathedral where the faithful believe the remains of St James the Apostle lie.

Many travellers join the pilgrimage at various points in the journey.

The cathedral has drawn millions from around the world since the Middle Ages. the rest