The madcap annual clamber up the sides of a fast-eroding mountain, which to outsiders must seem slightly bonkers, claimed its usual list of casualties, from heart attacks to head injuries, writes Catherine Shanahan. 

A number of people were taken by stretcher off the summit of Croagh Patrick yesterday suffering various stages of hypothermia.

The thousands of pilgrims who climbed Croagh Patrick were told by the Archbishop of Tuam that people who were reluctant to criticise other religions felt they could say anything they wanted about Christianity.

A body has been found following a search for a missing hillwalker in Co. Mayo.

The Coastguard has had to abandon the search for a missing 38-year-old man for the time being - as the windy conditions are too dangerous.

A search has resumed for an experienced hillwalker who went missing in Co Mayo.

The search will resume at first light tomorrow morning for a man missing on a mountain in Co. Mayo.

More than 20,000 pilgrims, including three bishops, braved torrential rain yesterday to scale the 764m to the summit of Croagh Patrick for the annual Reek Sunday climb.

Mayo Mountain Rescue said today that they have received hundreds of calls about a diamond ring that was discovered in a collection bucket.

The age-old national pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick got Vatican approval yesterday when Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Charles J Brown completed the climb and afterwards declared himself delighted by the experience.

Mayo County Council has proposed a permanent emergency helicopter landing pad for Croagh Patrick, which attracts thousands of pilgrims and outdoor enthusiasts every year.

In what would prove a major boost for Ireland at the European Championships, Giovanni Trapattoni has said Richard Dunne is on course to return to action for Aston Villa as early as the end of this month.

A climber who died on the summit of Croagh Patrick could have been there overnight.

A man in his 60s has died after a fall at Croagh Patrick in County Mayo.

PRIESTS and bishops share the public’s anger and distress at the Church’s mishandling of clerical child sex abuse, it has been claimed.

The Archbishop of Tuam has said priests and bishops share the public's anger and distress at the Church's mishandling of clerical child sex abuse.

POOR visibility and slippery conditions resulted in up to 20 people suffering injuries on the annual Croagh Patrick climb, with half of them having to be stretchered down the mountain.

Pilgrims on the annual Croagh Patrick climb faced poor visibility and slippery conditions today with the summit shrouded in mist.

An elderly woman was rescued from the top of Croagh Patrick in Co. Mayo this afternoon.

A woman has been rescued on Croagh Patrick in Mayo after being injured in a fall.

A woman in her 50s is recovering this morning after being rescued from Croagh Patrick in Co. Mayo last night.

UP TO 25,000 pilgrims made the annual trek to the summit of Croagh Patrick in Mayo.

Up to 25,000 pilgrims today made the annual trek to the summit of Croagh Patrick.

A woman had to be rescued from Croagh Patrick in Co Mayo yesterday evening.

A man has been airlifted to hospital after suffering a suspected heart attack while climbing Croagh Patrick in Co Mayo.

Mayo Mountain Rescue has warned those taking part in tomorrow's Croagh Patrick pilgrimage to be prepared for treacherous conditions.

A man in his 40s, who was lost while hill walking on Achill Island, has been found safe and well.

The group of six students who went missing on the Meelwrea Mountain in Mayo yesterday have been located.

The body of a man has been recovered in Westport by Mayo Mountain rescue in the Eriss hills.

The annual pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick is being hampered by poor weather conditions and an increasing number of injuries have been reported.

A woman who sustained a leg injury on Croagh Patrick in Co Mayo has been stretchered down the mountain.

The body of a man was recovered from Neiphin Mountain in Co Mayo yesterday.