Reek Sunday Croagh Patrick Co Mayo Croagh Patrick

Reek Sunday Croagh Patrick, Co. Mayo

• Croagh Patrick is a formidable mountain, rising 762 meters above sea level. The old name for the mountain is Croghan Aigle, which some translate as the Eagle's Peak.

The history behind Croagh Patrick. The tradition of pilgrimage to this holy mountain dates back over 5, 000 years from the Stone Age to the present day. Croagh Patrick is renowned for its Patrician Pilgrimage in honour of Saint Patrick, Ireland's patron saint. It was on the summit of the mountain that Saint Patrick fasted forty days in 441 AD and the custom has been faithfully handed down from generation to generation. The Black Bell of Saint Patrick was a highly venerated relic on Croagh Patrick for many years.

The black bell of St. Patrick It was believed in the locality that this bell was a present from an angel to the saint, and was originally of pure silver, but that it was rendered black and corroded, as at present seen, "by its contact with the demons on Croagh Patrick, when the Apostle of Ireland was expelling them thence. " (See O'Flaherty's West Connacht p 370. )

What is Reek Sunday? For as long as we can go back in history, climbing this mountain has been seen as an act of penance in reparation for sin. Tradition maintains that the practice started with St. Patrick. He climbed Croagh Patrick to make a retreat, asking God's blessing on his work of establishing the Church in Ireland. He spent forty days and forty nights on the summit, fasting and praying for his new flock. From that time until now, the people of Ireland have climbed the mountain as an act of faith, and to ask forgiveness for their sins. Pilgrims numbering in the thousands make the journey up Croagh Patrick on the last Sunday in July, every year. That special day is called Reek Sunday.

Teach na Miasa The Croagh Patrick Visitor Centre, Teach na Miasa, is situated in Murrisk on the Pilgrim's path at the base of Croagh Patrick mountain and opposite the National Famine Monument. Teach na Miasa means the house of the dishes. The road on which the centre is built is known as 'Bóthar na Miasa' ('The road of the dishes') and it is reputed that the monks of nearby Murrisk Abbey washed their utensils in the stream which runs alongside it.

Prayer to St. Patrick Dear St. Patrick, in your humility you called yourself a sinner, but you became a most successful missionary and prompted countless pagans to follow the Saviour. Many of their descendents in turn spread the Good News in numerous foreign lands. Through your powerful intercession with God, obtain the missionaries we need to continue the work you began. Amen.

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