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OVER THE COURSE of this weekend there will be 11 masses on Croagh Patrick as an estimated 25,000 people attend the annual Reek Sunday celebrations.
The Mayo Mountain Rescue Team has said the event means they will mount “the biggest coordinated mountain rescue operation in Ireland” in order to ensure the safety of pilgrims.
A total of 12 different organisations including the Irish Coast Guard and the Irish Air Corps will be providing rescue services.
The pilgrimage is traditionally held on the last Sunday of each July and has in the past seen people treated for hypothermia during the 764 metre climb.
Some of the pilgrims even undertake the climb barefoot but even those who do are advised to take walking boots should they need them.
The first mass of the weekend-long event took place yesterday morning at the summit of the mountain before another was held at the base of the mountain yesterday evening.
This morning at 9 am there is a “pre-climbing mass” at the base of the mountain before tomorrow, Reek Sunday.
During the course of tomorrow, there will be hourly masses at the summit from 8 am with the final mass taking place at 2 pm. Confessions will also be taken on the summit of the mountain during that period.
The Archbishop of Tuam Michael Neary will celebrate mass at the summit 11 am tomorrow.
In previous years adverse weather conditions have led to the cancellation of church celebrations on the mountain but some pilgrims undertook the climb regardless.
The Mayo Mountain Rescue Team said ahead of this weekend’s climbing that there has been an average of 20 rescues over the 24-hour-period during previous years:
The team advise that all climbers make safety a priority. We recommend the use of proper walking boots, waterproof clothing, food and water and to be mindful of fitness levels and ability of young children. The weather is very changeable and temperatures can vary by as much as seven degrees between sea level and the summit.
Can you imagine the amount of cups of tay and ham sandwiches at that.
Is there anything to be said for another mass?
Bless their soles.
@Tweety McTweeter: i heard they do a good long mass up there
@Scundered: Jasus Mary and Joseph
Love doing this climb. Religion aside its a great way to spend any day. So many wonderful things to do in this country
It’s a big mountain. You have to take your socks off when you go up it. And once you get to the top there they chase you all the way back down with a big plank. It’s great fun.
@Denise Ryan: kids today just don’t know what they’re missing
@Denise Ryan: Sounds like great craic alright….
@Denise Ryan: there’s a priest at the top running after all the kids :-)
Pagan origins just annexed by the Christians! Roman imperialists go home!
@Con Murphy: Roman imperialist go home is an order ! So. it’s Romani domi Caesarianos !
Now, write it out a hundred times and if it’s not done by sunrise, I’ll cut your balls off.
@David Carino: he’s not the Messiah, he’s a very naughty boy.
I remember doing the climb a few years back. I remember talking to a girl at the top who’s job it was to open and close the church every day. Obviously she had to climb up and down every day and I remember thinking to myself now that’s some way to keep fit. No need for the gym when you have a job like that.
@mickmc: I agree. It has to be climbed to be appreciated. It’s a tough climb. Fair play to anyone getting to the top especially to people not in the flush of youth!
@Ger Healy: Three hours up and two hours down. Of course I wasn’t pacing myself. Stopped every five minutes to take in the magnificent views of clew bay.
Classic journal clickbait. The lack of actual news content and the provocative choice of pictures (rosary beads, bruised bare feet) gave it away.
I love a good Mass..
Can god not give a dig out regarding safety rather then leaving all the work to the mayo rescue team?
@Dave Hogan: A bit of ‘Mayo’ on the toes will be fine.!!
@Dave Hogan: I’m afraid God doesn’t work that way. He is the creator and anything he influences is made for the good of all.
@Free comment ratings: I glad you set me straight, I thought god was dead.
For a second I was wondering why there was a celebration being held for Theon Greyjoy. Must get out more.
@Sheena McSpud: Ramsey Bolton has a lot to answer for, poor Reek has never been the same!!
They should hire some cattle drivers with sticks to follow behind each group shouting “The power of Christ compells you” so as to add a bit of motivation. I can hear the beads dangling and jangling all the way up Ireland’s holy mountain.
A fantastic spectacle and experience, if a bit gruelling
T’is great on a Sunday
^^ ^^ That was meant as a reply to DeFonz ..Coffee time.
If you pretended to be lame, would someone carry you?
@Paul Culligan: they’re all lame.
It’s a long time since they had that amount of people climb the reek. In recent years the numbers are always exaggerated.
true as jaysis
This pilgrimage had been going on for a long long time & half you guys think it came from fr Ted. Lol
@Ronan McDermott: ‘Going on for a long time’, yes indeed way before the ‘Roman ‘ religion took it over and claimed it as their own.
Dirty Smelly Feet yack
more religious idiots
Maybe when my own flock is a little bigger we could have a mass up there.
have your say