Croagh Patrick is a mountain in Mayo. It has been a place of pilgrimage for thousands of years. It was one of the stops on an ancient route which stretched along the west coast of Ireland from Kerry to Donegal.
Map of Croagh Patrick
© Ordnance Survey Ireland
© Ordnance Survey Ireland
It is said that in 441 AD, St. Patrick fasted on the top of the mountain for forty days. As St. Patrick was highly thought of by the Irish people many wanted to follow in his footsteps and soon the tradition of making a pilgrimage to the mountain was established.
Croagh Patrick, Co. Mayo
Croagh Patrick is situated five miles from the town of Westport, Co. Mayo. This mountain is 763m high, permitting views of Clew Bay and the surrounding Mayo countryside. Croagh Patrick is renowned for its Partician Pilgrimage in honor of Saint Patrick.
© Irish Imagery Ltd.Croagh Patrick, Co. Mayo
© Irish Imagery Ltd.
© Irish Imagery Ltd.
Croagh Patrick, Co. Mayo
Croagh Patrick is situated five miles from the town of Westport, Co. Mayo. This mountain is 763m high, permitting views of Clew Bay and the surrounding Mayo countryside. Croagh Patrick is renowned for its Partician Pilgrimage in honor of Saint Patrick.
© Irish Imagery Ltd.These days, the annual pilgrimage takes place on the last Sunday of July when thousands of pilgrims can be seen climbing Croagh Patrick. A three-mile path, called the Casán Phádraig, climbs up the mountain side from the village of Murrisk. The path of loose quartzite stones does not deter some pilgrims of completing the climb in the traditonal way - barefoot.