Croagh Patrick is a legendary mountain in Ireland. A major pilgrimage site for devout Irish, Croagh Patrick Mountain is said to have been the place where Saint Patrick fasted for 40 days and built a church in 441. This history, so dear to the Irish, makes it a symbolic place, bringing Ireland back to its Christian roots.
Statue of Saint Patrick, Croagh Patrick – © Frankix
It was therefore in 441 that Saint Patrick, then in charge of evangelizing Ireland, climbed the mountain then known as “Cruachan Aigil”. At a height of 764 metres, the mountain had and still has a distinctive shape, almost resembling a volcano.
This dark shape tended to frighten the population living further down the valley. When the saint decided to make his ascent, all the inhabitants of the surrounding villages regarded Saint Patrick as a true figure of bravery, and from then on had boundless admiration for him.
After reaching the summit, Saint Patrick is said to have fasted for 40 days, during which time he built a small church. These actions were intended to evangelize Ireland, attracting the attention and admiration of the Irish people.
Legend also has it that Saint Patrick drove away all the snakes in Ireland by throwing a bell from the top of the mountain, towards the precipice of Lugnanarrib. Rumor has it that the bell, in its fall, shaped the valley below. This heroic deed is said to have driven evil out of the country, and converted the population to Christianity.
The history of Saint Patrick on this mountain has naturally contributed to making Croagh Patrick a sacred mountain, where many pilgrims go every year to honor the Saint.
On the last Sunday in July each year, over 40,000 Irish come to worship and attend mass in a small chapel built more recently in 1905.
It’s hard to imagine how impressive this crowd amassed on the slopes of this mountain is! This pilgrimage generally lasts 2 days, due to the length of the journey made by the pilgrims: they make the “grand tour” (called Tochar Phadraig in Irish) and reach the summit after walking more than 40 km!
If you decide to explore this imposing mountain outside the pilgrimage season, you can do so from Murrisk, just outside Westport. This path is mainly used by tourists, but some sections are quite steep and require a good level of fitness. We particularly advise against this tour for children, who will find the gradient far too steep.
Make sure you bring a good rucksack, water, a sweater and a windbreaker: Ireland’s changeable weather could surprise you with a few showers or gusts of fresh wind on the way up!
In any case, your efforts will be rewarded at the top of Croagh Patrick with a breathtaking view of Clew Bay, Connemara and Achill Island. Don’t hesitate to visit the little chapel, a charming building that symbolizes the evangelization of Ireland.
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