Reek Sunday – 28 July 2024 – Climbing Croagh Patrick

All priests interested in assisting on Reek Sunday are asked to contact Fr John Kenny, Adm, on 098-28871.

BRIEFING FOR PILGRIMS ISSUED JULY 2024 

Croagh Patrick is an iconic feature of the Mayo landscape of significant natural, cultural and spiritual importance. While the National Pilgrimage Day on Croagh Patrick stretches back many generations, we are conscious of the obligation to support the conservation of the mountain for future generations.

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2024 is the dedicated Year of Prayer and Reek Sunday is on 28 July
This year, the annual pilgrimage takes place on the weekend of 26 – 28 July.
On this day we also celebrate World Day for Grand Parents and the Elderly #ElderlyandGrandparents

Schedule for Reek Sunday weekend pilgrimage
Garland Friday, 26 July – Local Pilgrimage
10:00am. Mass on the summit of Croagh Patrick celebrated by Westport
native, Father Tod Nolan PP Newport
7:30pm. Mass at Murrisk Community Café – Croagh Patrick Car Park

Reek Saturday, 27 July
8:30am. Tóchar Phádraig Pilgrimage begins at Ballintubber Abbey.
6:30pm. Vigil Mass in Saint Mary’s Church, Westport, Archbishop Francis Duffy of Tuam.

Reek Sunday, 28 July
7:30am until 2:00pm, Confessions will be heard on the summit.
8:00am. First hourly Mass on the summit.
2:00pm Last Mass on the summit
(TBC. Aifreann Lán Gaeilge ar barr Cruach Phádraig)

The Church has actively engaged with other Stakeholders to undertake the Sustainable Access and Habitat Restoration project currently underway on it which aims to provide a robust path for access and to restore the eroded parts of the mountain. As part of our support for the project, we have committed to minimising the impact of pilgrimage on Croagh Patrick, the drinking water that comes from the mountain streams, the local community and other users of the mountain. In order to do this, we ask each pilgrim to comply with the following;

If traveling by car, please park responsibly and follow the instructions of stewards on the day.

  • Stay on the defined path on the mountain (where in place) and do not encroach on the adjoining habitat which may be in the process of restoration.
  • The mountain streams provide drinking water for the local community. Be respectful of this while on the mountain.
  • We endorse the Leave no Trace Principle. Please do not discard any litter on the mountain.
  • It should also be noted that there are no dogs allowed on the mountain. Please respect this requirement.

Any local advice offered should be heeded – be aware that the path is on working farmland.  Dogs should not be brought on the mountain at any time.

​Please make sure that you are familiar with the 

Leave No Trace Principals

​Details of how to fulfil the spiritual requirements of the pilgrimage are available 

here

​

Croagh Patrick is a challenging climb and should only be attempted after serious consideration.

More information is available 

here.

Please note the following:​

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Brendan Hoban, in the Western People, writes about the absence of Holy Week Ceremonies this year.
“Church leaders are caught between their responsibility to give clear and appropriate guidance and the felt need of the people to celebrate the key events of the first Easter. But their (and our) moral responsibility is clear. The bottom line is that no compromise that might endanger health and life is acceptable.”

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