×
On the last Sunday in July, thousands of pilgrims climb Ireland's holiest mountain, Croagh Patrick (764 metres) in County Mayo. It is held in honour of Saint Patrick who is said to have spent forty days fasting on the mountain in the 5th century. Masses are held at the summit, where there is a small chapel. Croagh Patrick is a mountain in county Mayo also known as The Reek or Patrick's sacred mountain. Each year thousands of people climb Croagh Patrick on a pilgrim to honor the patron saint of Ireland. The pilgrimage to the summit of Croagh Patrick takes place on the last Sunday of July, which also coincides with the pagan festival of Lughnasadh. This year, it falls on July 27. On this day, the annual pilgrimage takes place, and thousands of people come to Ireland to climb the country’s “holiest mountain.” Known as “Croagh Patrick,” the mountain is a unique pilgrimage site with a holy history. On the last Sunday of July, except when difficult weather makes it entirely unreasonable to do so, as many as 25,000 people converge near Clew Bay in County Mayo, on the west coast of Ireland, to hike the rocky slopes of Croagh Patrick, a mountain associated with St. Patrick. Croagh Patrick is climbed by thousands of pilgrims every year on Reek Sunday, the last Sunday in July, a custom which goes back to at least the Middle Ages. Croagh Patrick is the fourth-highest mountain in the province of Connacht on the P600 listing after Mweelrea, Nephin and Barrclashcame. The other traditional Pilgrimage days are the last Friday of July which is known locally as ‘Garland Friday’, and August 15th which is the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady into Heaven. Croagh Patrick is 5 miles from the picturesque town of Westport and its conical shape soars majestically above the surrounding countryside. Its pyramid-shaped summit is known locally as the “The Reek”, and the mountain has a long association with St Patrick. Pilgrimage can be undertaken at any time during the year but the main pilgrim days are the last Friday of July, last Sunday of July or Reek Sunday and the 15 th of August. In the coming months I hope to expand on this post Reek Sunday has returned for the first time since 2019. It is a day celebrated on the last Sunday in July, in which thousands of pilgrims climb Croagh Patrick in County Mayo Reek Sunday in Ireland Date in the current year: July 27, 2025 Reek Sunday, also known as Garland Sunday, is an annual day of pilgrimage in Ireland that occurs on the last Sunday in July. On this day, pilgrims climb Croagh Patrick, a mountain in County Mayo associated with Saint Patrick. The name “Croagh Patrick” means “Patrick's stacks”. Historical accounts tell us that, in 441, St. Patrick fasted and prayed on what is also known as “The Reek” for 40 days and 40 nights, facing the elements and assailed by demonic crows. Reek Sunday (Last Sunday in July): This is the traditional pilgrimage day, attracting thousands of climbers. Off-Season (Spring or Autumn) : Quieter trails but variable weather. What Age to Climb Croagh Patrick? Pilgrims from all over Ireland and the globe come to Croagh Patrick and spend the last Sunday in July climbing to the summit in honor of St Patrick on a day that is known as "Reek Sunday Nicknamed ‘The Reek’, Croagh Patrick Mountain stands at an impressive 764m (2,507 feet), which makes it the 4th highest mountain in Mayo. The hike to the top of ‘Ireland’s holiest mountain’ got a whole lot easier in recent years thanks to the addition of steps near the summit. The Croagh Patrick hike The annual National Pilgrimage takes place here on the last Sunday in July each year, this day being known locally as "Reek Sunday". Forty Days and Nights Tradition tells us that St. Patrick, while on his missionary journey around Ireland, spent forty days and nights of prayer and fasting on the summit during the Lenten season of 441 AD. The pilgrimage takes place on the last Sunday in July and has been a tradition for over 1,500 years. What is the best time of the day to climb Croagh Patrick? Croagh Patrick is a national shrine and arguably the most recognisable site in Ireland associated with St. Patrick. While the traditional pilgrimage days are Garland Friday (Friday before Reek Sunday), Reek Sunday (last Sunday in July), and August 15th, pilgrims now climb all year round. Pilgrims come from all over the world Enjoy great views and a historic atmosphere as you make your way to the summit of the famous Croagh Patrick. Known as Ireland's Holy Mountain, this peak is where St Patrick is said to have fasted for 40 days and nights before driving all the snakes from Ireland. The trail takes you up the pilgrims route, a path used every year by tens of thousands on the last Sunday of July in celebration of Mt. Croagh Patrick (also spelled Croach Patrick) is a mountain near the town of Westport in County Mayo, Ireland.Each year, as many as one million pilgrims and visitors make the trek to the top to pray at the stations of the cross, participate in Mass, do penance (in which case the rocky journey is undertaken barefoot) or just enjoy the spectacular view. The pilgrimage continues to grow in popularity to this day, and on reek Sunday (the last Sunday in July) it can attract many thousands of climbers (Pilgrimage Medieval Ireland, 2012), (O’Neill, 2020). It was on the summit of the mountain that Saint Patrick fasted for forty days in 441 AD and the custom has been faithfully handed down from generation to generation. The Black Bell of Saint Patrick was a highly venerated relic on Croagh Patrick for many years. On 'Reek Sunday', the last Sunday in July, over 25,000 pilgrims visit the Reek.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |