Weather no obstacle to Croagh Patrick pilgrims

EVEN before dawn broke yesterday morning, a few intrepid souls had discarded their shoes, put on their waterproof clothes and started to climb the rugged slopes of Croagh Patrick.

Encased in fog, the craggy summit was hidden from view, but many knew every twist and turn of the path, having climbed the ancient pathway for many years.

More than 20,000 people were estimated last night to have braved the elements and the gruelling climb for the centuries old national pilgrimage, traditionally completed in bare feet.

There were fewer willing to shed their shoes and socks this year and those who did face the elements were mostly in the 45-plus age-bracket.

Groups of varying sizes and ages made their way to the summit and despite the cold, damp and fog, spirits were good en route.

Westport-based priest Fr Denis Carney, who completed the climb early, said a lot of teenagers and people in their early 20s made the pilgrimage this year and there was a good atmosphere.

The recent heavy rains made the path slippy, and while there were no serious injuries reported, a number of climbers were stretchered from the slopes suffering mostly from head wounds sustained from falls.

The Patrician Pilgrimage, which is staged on the final Sunday in July each year, marks the time in the year 441, when St Patrick reputedly spent the 40 days of Lent fasting on the mountainside.

After the climb, pilgrims join in a mass at a specially-built oratory on the mountain’s peak, 762 metres above sea level.

Speaking ahead of the sacred trek, Archbishop of Tuam, Dr Michael Neary, said the instability and scandal in banking and commerce is part of a modern “cross” casting a grey shadow over everyone. In days and nights of darkness we feel frightened and insecure. The old certainties are not there. We feel let down by Governments, by what we thought was the stable world of banking and commerce. We feel that the Church has been shaken to its roots in the revelation of the human face of sin.”