Damage on Croagh Patrick due to erosion may leave access severely restricted

It’s Ireland’s holy mountain, but access may soon have to be cut off, or at least severely restricted, due to worsening erosion, writes Donal Hickey. 

Such is the scale of damage to Croagh Patrick — visited by an estimated 100,000 people each year — that some locals in Mayo believe it is irreversible. On a trip to that beautiful area by Clew Bay, a few weeks ago, I had a look and can confirm the many concerns voiced in recent years are not exaggerated.

The path on the mountain is in a dreadful state — like an ugly, grey scar — from over-use and lack of maintenance and management. Scottish mountaineering expert Rob Aitken described it as the “worst-damaged’’ mountain pathway in Ireland or the UK. He’s probably correct.