Croagh Patrick is situated 5 miles outside of the picturesque town of Westport in Co. Mayo. Known as Ireland’s holiest mountain, it soars 762 metres above the surrounding countryside. People have been flocking to this mountain on pilgrimage for 5,000 years. Legend has it that St. Patrick banished the ‘snakes’ from Ireland from this mountain. Every year on the last Sunday in July over 25,000 pilgrims climb The Reek, some do it barefoot. Those who climb it get to take in the magnificent views of Clew Bay and the surrounding area.
The best time to climb the mountain is between April and September but keep an eye on the weather conditions as sometimes it’s unsafe to climb. It takes 2 hours to climb up the mountain and 1 hour and 30 minutes to come down. It’s advisable to take sturdy footwear, rain gear, water and some food. If you’re driving there is a car park at the base of the mountain with a visitor centre, cafe, kiosk and rest room facilities. When climbing the mountain mind your footing as the stones are loose and you could easily lose your balance.
Have you climbed Croagh Patrick before? Do you think it’s something you’d like to do? What’s your favourite mountain to climb?
Marteen Lane 
I’ve never climbed it but you have definitely inspired me to!! I love the photo essay layout, and I think I’d like to try it on my own travel blog at some point!
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I’m glad! Awww thank you Brooke 😊
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I’ve been thinking about taking the kids to Ireland for a while, good to know there are plenty of more active adventures to be had! Filing this away!
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There are so many active adventures to do in Ireland.
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So, that is where St. Patrick performed the miracle. So nice to know. I have not been to that area of Ireland but will definitely climb Croagh Patrick when I visit County Mayo.
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Supposedly the word ‘snake’ was a derogatory word for pagans and it’s true then he did by bringing Christianity to Ireland.
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This looks like a great bucket list item. I’ve never done any ‘pilgrimage’ type walk, but this looks like the added beauty of the mountain would be memorable. People have been doing it for 5,000 years! That’s a piece of history I would like to experience. I’m adding it to the list! Thanks for sharing!
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You’re welcome 😊 I hope you get to climb it someday.
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Great pictures, I have always wanted to see the green of Ireland! But congrats on the move to Victoria, I went to uni there and Vancouver Island is just about one of the greatest places on earth! Enjoy!
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Thank you Emily 😊 Hopefully you’ll get to visit Ireland soon. I’m so excited about the move to Victoria. I’ve so many wonderful things about it.
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Beautiful views! I wouldn’t like to attempt it barefoot though! Glad you got to visit and thanks for the tips!
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It’s more of a penance thing doing it barefoot if you’re religious but I still don’t know how they do it.
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Never heard of Croagh Patrick, but it sounds like a pilgrimage/hike that I’d certainly be interested in. Beautiful views!
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It’s not an easy climb with the loose rocks but it’s worth it for the views.
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Dying to visit Ireland at some point, its not that dar from me so don’t know why I haven’t yet! Your pictures are lovely 🙂
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You’ve no excuse being so close 😊 Thank you 😊
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wow . a 2 hour climb up. that’s endurance. great pics.
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Never heard of Croagh Patrick before, but it sounds wonderful. Your pictures are amazing…looks like it is worth the climb. Gorgeous!
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I had a wonderful time visiting Co. Mayo when I was in Ireland. As you photos show, it is so beautiful!
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I’m so glad! Some people forget about Co. Mayo when they visit Ireland concentrating on Cork/Kerry, the North or Dublin. But Co. Mayo has so much to offer 😊
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I have never been to Ireland at all but it is on my list and I cannot wait to finally visit. Might climb Croagh Patrick as well 🙂
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I have never been to Ireland before but your pictures and others have definitely convinced me we should go soon. Crough Patrick sounds like an amazing climb and if we are in Ireland during the climbing season we would definitely like to try it out.
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Yes you should visit Ireland and the children would love it 😊
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What a hike! Truth be told, I hate hiking, but I do it anyways for that view at the top! Thanks for sharing this special place 🙂
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It isn’t an easy hike by any means 😊 You’re welcome.
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This reminds me a bit of Adam’s Peak in Sri Lanka! Ever heard of that? It’s also a mountain used for pilgrimige by the Buddhist people of Sri Lanka! Never knew that Ireland also had something like this!
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Oh no I haven’t but I’m intrigued. I’ll look up Adam’s Peak 😊
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Great photos! I hate wearing shoes, so this is my kind of pilgrimage!
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Thank you 😊 It’s quite rocky, your bare feet will be shred to pieces!
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Lovely photos Marteen! I’m ashamed to say I’ve never been to Croagh Patrick, I must get there soon.
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Thanks Christine 😊 You should, the whole area near it is beautiful as well.
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When I was hiking the Camino de Santiago, I met several people from Ireland who told me about the pilgrimage at Croagh Patrick. What a beautiful place that I would love to hike though I may do it with shoes!
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No I wouldn’t advise you to do it barefoot as your feet would be cut. People do barefoot for penance. I know someone who’s doing their dissertation on Croagh Patrick and she did a survey last week. She surveyed 85 people and only 5 were doing it as a pilgrimage.
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Would definitely enjoy climbing it for those views. They must be breathtaking. So brave of some people to climb it barefoot for the pilgrimage! What a challenge but it must feel so good once they arrive!
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It’s usually climbed barefoot as an act of penance. Definitely a challenge 😊
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What lovely pictures! It’s so beautifully green, and I imagine the climb is really invigorating. Not sure I’d be game to try it barefoot though. I’d heard of the snakes, but had no idea that this was the place it all happened.
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Really liked the photos that showcased the lush green landscape. That’s usually what comes to mind when we think of Ireland. Looks like a nice climb.
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The tradition of climbing holy mountains is so fascinating. You just inspired me to do some reading on the holiest mountains of the world. I would love to know why and how this tradition started in the first place.
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Croagh Patrick and the legend associated with it sounds fascinating. It would indeed be an experience to climb the mountains. The views look really spectacular.
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Loving your photo essay of this awesome place! Lots of green! Thanks for also providing some great tips for anyone who decides to do the climb. 2 hours seems doable!
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Unfortunately, I haven’t been to Ireland at all so no. Such a beautiful region. That mountain sure looks daunting but what great photo ops! Is it a UNESCO Heritage Site by chance?
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It is a beautiful region 😊 Not an easy mountain to climb. No, it should be though. There are only two UNESCO world heritage sites in Ireland, Skelling Michael and the Giant’s Causeway.
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