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CROAGH PATRICK A PLACE OF PILGRIMAGE
Although a place of stunning natural beauty, it is not for its scenery or ruggedness that Croagh Patrick is famous. The mountain, colloquially called 'The Reek' (a variant of the word 'rick', ie a hayrick or haystack; the Irish word 'cruach' has a similar meaning is renowned for its Patrician Pilgrimage in honour of Ireland's national saint, Saint Patrick, and has been a place of pilgrimage since St Patrick fasted there for forty days and nights in AD441. On the last Sunday of July each year (known as Reek Sunday its slopes are thronged with pilgrims, some barefooted, praying at the stations and climbing to the summit to attend Mass. Local people traditionally ascend the mountain on the previous Friday, Garland Friday. On Reek Sunday alone, thousands of people flock to the pilgrimage. Throughout the summer months many thousands of pilgrims and tourists visit Ireland's Holy Mountain.
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CROAGH PATRICK A PlACE OF BEAUTY
Croagh Patrick, Ireland's Holy Mountain has long been a place of wonderment and myth, history and archaeology. The distinctive conical-shaped mountain is located about 8km (5m) from the picturesque town of Westport, County Mayo. Its peak soars majestically over the surrounding hills, rising to 765m (2,510ft) above sea level and quite often the top is hidden in the clouds. But on a clear day the view from the summit is spectacular. To the west stretches the broad expanse of the Atlantic Ocean and down below lies Clew Bay with its countless Islands Northwards lie the cliffs of Achill, with Blacksod Bay shimmering beyond. To the north-east is Nephin standing boldly alone. Southwards are the mountains of Connemara in every size and shape, with many silver lakes nestling in their valleys
By Harry Hughes.
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Filmed on Reek Sunday July 28th 2024
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