Pilgrim Ways

Croagh Patrick is just a few miles away from Westport, one of the loveliest towns in the west of Ireland. In pre-Christian times Croagh Patrick was used for ritual to the god, Lug. As in England, at Glastonbury, and through the reclaiming of pagan festivals for Christian celebrations, the emerging Christian community in Ireland sanctified the ground and made Croagh Patrick a holy mountain and place of annual pilgrimage. A pilgrim will need to set aside at least four hours to make the climb. It is as well to check the weather conditions, to take some water, wear a good pair of boots and to have a good walking stick. If you come by car rather than walking the Tochar, there is a car parking area at the foot of the mountain.

You also need to come with the right state of mind. Like Moses, Elijah and Christ, St.Patrick is reputed to have spent forty days and nights fasting and praying. Croagh Patrick was to be his mountain top, his desert. Here he interceded with God on behalf of the Irish people. Each year, traditionally on the last Sunday in July, pilgrims climb the Reek carrying a stick, like the staff of their medieval forbears. Some climb barefoot.

The Stations The first „station‟ on the climb is known as Leacht Mionnain, or St.Benin‟s Monument.

Benin was believed to be Chieftain Sesgre‟s son. He became captivated by Patrick when the saint came to the court of Benin‟s father, following him everywhere. Ultimately he became Patrick‟s psalmist and his successor at Armagh. He is thought to have composed the Irish Book of Rights. Pilgrims stop at each of the stations and say the Lord‟s Prayer, the Ave and the Creed. From the first station they ascend the steep rocky pathway - Casan Padraig - and head towards the top. Perhaps here it is worth remembering the demons with whom Patrick wrestled on this mountain. Some in the shape of grotesque black birds, which were objects of Druid worship, attacked Patrick, leading one of his followers, Finian, to bring him a bell with which he scared them off. Each of us has our own demons with which we, too, must wrestle and confront. The bird was synonymous with pride. As the path gets steeper and the way becomes more difficult it can be a metaphor for the things we meet in life. The early stages of this journey, through pleasant fields and the picturesque scenery around Lough Cara and Ballintubber Abbey may have appeared deceptively tranquil, but concealed were stories of famine, destitution, and betrayal; stories of endurance, restoration and faith. As the going gets tougher, the challenges and the dangers become more acute, more obvious and more pressing.

The temptation to yield or to retreat becomes greater as we become wearier and less certain of our ability to complete the journey. All the more reason to give great thanks on coming finally to the summit.

The Summit and Beyond The final stations are to be found at the top of the Reek. Here there is a small chapel and a small rock pit marking the place of Patrick‟s bed. Here the pilgrim prays for peace and for the coming of God‟s kingdom. And what of Patrick‟s descent? When he comes down from his mountain top he feels ready for the missionary work which lies ahead. After his penitential forty days he established many churches in the nearby baronies of Murrisk and Burrishoole.

There is also an extraordinary story of a swineherd who is resurrected from his grave and who had been slain by soldiers many centuries before. Patrick baptised the man, heard his confession, and he returned to his tomb. From here the evangelist goes next among the people of Ui Maine and the founded churches in the forest of Foclut at Faragh, near Killala Bay. Near the shore at Murrisk, where there now stand the ruins of a medieval Augustinian friary , Patrick‟s mission continued. From Mayo, he then journeyed eastwards through Tawney, in County Sligo, to Aghanagh, to Shanco, and to Leitrim. At the River Drowes, he blessed the