Pilgrimages of Europe: Croagh Patrick, Ireland (1995)

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Croagh Patrick is Ireland's Holy Mountain, 5 miles from the picturesque town of Westport and its conical shape soars majestically above the surrounding countryside. It is one of the highest peaks to be seen in the Mayo-Galway region. Magnificent views of Clew Bay and the south Mayo countryside are spectacular from all stages of the ascent of the mountain. Croagh Patrick is the site of a major annual religious pilgrimage which commemorates St. Patrick's own religious experience on the mountain (it was from its summit that St. Patrick is said to have banished snakes from Ireland, and it was also here that he is said to have spent 40 days and nights in meditation, fasting and prayer). The annual pilgrimage sees thousands of the faithful climbing the mountain barefoot to the summit to complete a ritual of prayers and penance. It is likely that Croagh Patrick protruded above the last ice sheet since aerial erosion has given rise to scree slopes.
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Documentary Description

Pilgrimages are as old as mankind. The mystical and spiritual nature of a pilgrimage holds an eternal, mythic appeal to the imagination of many people. Every year millions of pilgrims of all nationalities, young and old, set out on these voyages of the soul.

CROAGH PATRICK

In the 4th century A.D. the monk Patrick traveled to pagan Ireland with a personal mission to convert the Irish to Christianity. Patrick won the population over by integrating venerated pagan symbols, like the sun, into the Christian faith. Croagh Patrick, a mountain on Ireland’s wild western coast, is such a symbol. During a dispute with the druids, Patrick was challenged to fast for forty days and forty nights on their holy mountain. “Our gods will destroy you,” they threatened. Patrick accepted their challenge. After forty days and nights on the mountain, he made his descent, none the worse for wear. From then onward, his influence grew by leaps and bounds. To this day Saint Patrick remains the patron saint of Ireland. Every Irishman climbs Croagh Patrick at least once in his life, as his ancestors did even before the dawn of the Christian era.

Today thousands of pilgrims are climbing a mountain in Ireland, as they have been doing for an amazing 5,000 years! Over the course of a year, it's estimated that one million visitors make the climb. The mountain is Croagh Patrick. It's approximately 2,500 feet, located in County Mayo. On Reek Sunday, the last Sunday in July, pilgrims climb the mountain in honor of the patron saint, St. Patrick.

Sources: Janson Media & celticvoices.blogspot.com

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