A journey to the top of Croagh Patrick

Climbing Mt. Croagh Patrick, at a little over 2,500ft, is not for the fainthearted. And yet, on the last Sunday of July every year, you are likely to find tens of thousands of people (some very young, some very old and everything in between) making the journey to the top. Some even do it barefoot! This is Reek Sunday and the Pilgrimage to the top on this day is done for penance. Following in the footsteps of St. Patrick himself, who was said to have climbed to ask god’s blessing for his work in bringing the Catholic religion to Ireland. He spent forty days and forty nights on the summit, fasting and praying for his new flock. It was while he was there he was said to banish the snakes from Ireland.

Croagh Patrick is locally known as The Reek. (Reek is a high hill, which is a bit of an understatement if you are about to climb it.) The mountain has been held sacred since long before Christianity and it is thought that the Celtic people believed that the Celtic God Crom Dubh lived there. The pagan harvest festival of Lughnasa was celebrated around the mountain. This was traditionally held around August 1st. During the festival, women would sleep at the top of the mountain to encourage fertility.

Of course there is another reason to climb this mountain. Located about 5 miles from Westport, Co. Mayo and overlooking nearby Connemara, it is in one of the most breathtakingly beautiful parts of Ireland. From here you can see the beautiful expanse of Clew Bay and its many islands. It is said there is an Island for every day of the year. This is not strictly true as many are not technically islands.

The view from the summit is spectacular and well worth the climb. Whatever your creed, this place is good for the spirit. It will truly grab you by the heart!

Tags: Clew Bay, Climbing The Reek, Croagh Patrick, Explore Ireland, Mount Croagh Patrick, pilgrimage, saint patrick