Conquering Croagh Patrick,
Ireland's holy mountain
St Patrick’s Day is right around the corner.. and you know what that means! It’s time to put on your best tunic, dye your hair orange, and find a place to sip on a green beer! Right?! Not really, but it does seem like no matter where in the world you are from, everyone becomes Irish on St Patrick’s Day. This incredible man has forever made his mark in the history books, but few actually know a lot about him. To find out more we found ourselves flying over miles and miles of rolling green hills towards the beautiful County Mayo.
This county is home to the holiest mountain in all of Ireland, Croagh Patrick. It sits covered in sheep in the quiet little town of Murrisk, just along side the famous Clew Bay. On a clear day it is said that you can look down from the top of the mountain into the bay and count 365 different islands, one for every day of the year. I’m sure you probably have a lot of questions. Why is it a holy mountain? Is the hike hard? Where is the best spot to a get a beer? No worries, we got you covered! Lace up those boots because you’re about to tackle our guide for Conquering Croagh Patrick.
history
The story of Croagh Patrick goes as far back as the time of Paganism. It is believed that people gathered here to celebrate the beginning of the yearly harvest. In 441 AD, Saint Patrick climbed the Reek, later to be named Croagh Patrick. Once on top of the summit, he prayed and fasted for 40 days and nights. Each year roughly 25,000 people hike the mountain in the same way that St Patrick did all those years ago. In 1905, 12 men built a modern day chapel on the top, out of local stone from the mountain. The chapel is still used today for a place of prayer and to hear the confessions of those that can reach it.
how to get here
In a country that has more sheep than people wandering around the old back roads, simply asking for directions is not always an option. Although this mountain can be seen for miles and miles, very few roads actually lead to it. It’s roughly 5 miles away from the closest town which is Westport. From there you can hop on Bus Eireann’s Route 450 heading to Murrisk. If you decide to rent a car instead, there is a small parking lot at the base of the mountain. If you do decide to take the bus, make sure to check the timetable that way you give yourself enough time for the hike. They can be found here.
visitor center
Located at the base of the mountain lies a small visitor center. From here you can load up on small snacks and drinks. This is not an easy hike so it is highly suggested that you carry a bag of some kind to put water and food in. You also have the option to rent or buy a walking stick from the visitor center. This might seem silly at first, but once again this is an extremely difficult hike filled with loose rock and steep angles. The walking stick especially comes in handy on your way down to relieve some of the impact your body takes with every step. The times the center is open varies depending on the season. Below are the listed times unless stated otherwise.
April – May: 10AM-6PM
June – August: 10AM-7PM
September – October: 11AM-5PM
Hiking
Finally, it’s time to hike! Let’s be clear here, this is NOT an easy hike. We have hiked up mountains all over the world and this one is in the top 3 for most difficult. Starting off it does not seem that way, but very quickly you will find yourself on a steep grade and loose rocks. It is definitely worth it when you crest over the top and have the view of the beautiful bay below. Halfway up the mountain there is a nice flat shoulder where you can take a break and enjoy the sights. For gear, we would highly suggest having some kind of boot to stabilize your ankle. If you ever find yourself in an emergency situation dial 999 or 122. Another thing to note is the weather. It can change in the blink of an eye. A beautiful sunny day can quickly turn into a rainy storm, so be sure to check the forecast before you begin. Lastly, make sure you give yourself enough time. On average it takes around 3 hours to complete the hike round trip, but this can vary based on your ability to hike, and the conditions of the mountain.
PRO TIP: You thought we forgot about the drinks didn’t you? After a long and enduring hike, the best place to grab a nice fresh Guinness is at Campbells At The Reek located just at the base of the mountain.