- Reek Sunday
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Croagh Patrick (pictured above), a holy mountain in County Mayo, is climbed by thousands of pilgrims on Reek Sunday.
Reek Sunday (also Garland Sunday), is the annual national pilgrimage of Ireland.[1][2] On the last Sunday of the month of July,[2][3] pilgrims climb Ireland's holiest mountain,[4] Croagh Patrick (Cruach Phádraig) in County Mayo, traditionally in their bare feet.[1][5] The pilgrimage has taken place annually for around 1,500 years.[1][2][6] It is held in honour of Saint Patrick who, according to tradition, spent forty days fasting on the mountain in 441, following Jesus and Moses.[6][7] In reality, the modern pilgrimage is a long-Christianised variation of a ritual that dates back to pre-Christian, pagan Celtic Ireland, celebrating the Festival of Lughnasadh. Pilgrims come from as far as Australia, Europe the United Kingdom and United States to complete the climb. Scientific analysis of the climbers first occurred in 2006 and Mass from the summit was broadcast worldwide via RTÉ for the first time in 2008.
Approximately 20,000–30,000 pilgrims participate on the day, compared to an annual climbing total of more than 100,000.[2][4] The Archbishop of Tuam leads the climb each year. 150 personnel from eleven mountain rescue teams from across Ireland, including the local Mayo Mountain Rescue Team (MMRT) for whom it is the busiest day of the year,[8] as well as the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Civil Defence Ireland and members of Garda Síochána are involved in the climb.[9] Injuries ranging from cuts and broken bones to hypothermia and full cardiac arrest have occurred in the past.
Recent years
25,000 pilgrims took part in the climb in 1999 in ideal conditions.[10] Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam spoke on the mountain of the improving quality of life which Ireland was experiencing in the late 1990s.[10]
Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam spoke of the fear created by banking and commerce as well as by the Church and state at a meeting with pilgrims in Westport prior to the 2002 climb.[11] Pilgrims flocked from areas such as Australia, Europe, the United Kingdom and United States to climb Croagh Patrick in 2002.[11] Rain was said to have led to difficult climbing conditions.[11]
Around 20,000 people took part in 2006 during particularly bad weather of wind and rain.[5][12] Archbishops Seán Brady and Michael Neary said Mass on top, with Neary appealing for kindness and goodwill to be shown to immigrant families.[12] Twenty-three people were airlifted or stretchered off Croagh Patrick with illnesses and injuries; two of these were hospitalised.[12] The 2006 climb saw the first scientific analysis of pilgrims.[12] 11,000 of them were surveyed with two thirds of the climbers found to be men, one third of the climbers found to be women, 5% of pilgrims coming from outside Ireland and 2% climbing in their bare feet.[12]
Over 30,000 pilgrims climbed Croagh Patrick on Reek Sunday in 2007.[5] There were some minor foot injuries, whilst one man underwent a suspected cardiac arrest on the mountain.[5]
Over 25,000 pilgrims took part in 2008, the largest total in modern times.[13] A live worldwide broadcast of Mass by RTÉ from the summit took place for the first time ever, with Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam again the celebrant.[13] Neary spoke of consumer values that he felt were seducing society.[13] Over 20 priests were involved in the 2008 event.[13] Injuries were very few.[13]
Only 18,000 pilgrims climbed the mountain in 2009;[14] more than 20,000 had been expected beforehand and the 18,000 figure was down on the previous year.[1][4][8][9][15] Weather conditions were particularly bad with many choosing to climb the mountain the previous day.[6][14] Between five and six children contracted hypothermia on Croagh Patrick on Reek Sunday in 2009.[1][2][6] Some participants sustained minor cuts, others complained of coronary issues, whilst one woman was airlifted off the mountain after breaking her ankle the day before and a man was airlifted to hospital after undergoing a suspected cardiac arrest on the mountain.[6][14] Prior to the climb, Mayo Mountain Rescue Team (MMRT) advised pilgrims to carry some sort of footwear but not flip-flops, sandals, stilettos or Wellingtons; it was the first time they had ever issued such advice.[2][9][15] Pilgrims were also told to use a stick for walking, wear multiple layers of clothing and to scale the mountain at a slow pace.[15][16] Archbishop Michael Neary said before the 2009 climb that people were “searching desperately” for hope in the “menacing desert” of the recession.[4] In his homily on the mountain, Neary talked of the effects the recession had on family life.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Pilgrims attend Croagh Patrick Mass". RTÉ. 2009-07-26. http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0726/reeksunday.html. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
- ^ a b c d e f "Dismal forecast heightens alert for Croagh Patrick pilgrims". The Irish Times. 2009-07-25. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0725/1224251305099.html. Retrieved 2009-07-26. "THE WEATHER forecast for those hoping to climb Croagh Patrick tomorrow morning in the annual “Reek Sunday” pilgrimage could hardly be more dismal. [...] The pilgrimage has been taking place on the last Sunday of July for over 1,500 years. Usually between 20,000 and 30,000 people take part. Over 100,000 people climb Croagh Patrick annually."
- ^ "In the Footsteps of St Patrick". Vatican Radio. 2009-07-26. http://www.oecumene.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=305301. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
- ^ a b c d "Pilgrims in Ireland seek signs of hope amid crisis". The Peninsula. 2009-07-26. http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=World_News&subsection=United+Kingdom+%26+Europe&month=July2009&file=World_News2009072631542.xml. Retrieved 2009-07-26.[dead link]
- ^ a b c d "Pilgrims flock to Croagh Patrick". RTÉ. 2007-07-29. http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0729/croaghpatrick.html. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
- ^ a b c d e "Pilgrims treated for hypothermia on Croagh Patrick". Ireland On-Line. 2009-07-26. http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/ireland/pilgrims-treated-for-hypothermia-on-croagh-patrick-420163.html. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
- ^ "Pilgrims treated for hypothermia". Press Association. 2009-07-26. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5jok3zsjgMhjwN-gZYDbPAZH2AT2g. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
- ^ a b "20,000 to take part in annual Croagh Patrick pilgrimage". Irish Independent. 2009-07-26. http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/national-news/20000-to-take-part-in-annual-croagh-patrick-pilgrimage-1841561.html. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
- ^ a b c "Pilgrims to Croagh Patrick are urged to save their soles". Irish Independent. 2009-07-23. http://www.independent.ie/national-news/pilgrims-to-croagh-patrick-are-urged-to-save-their-soles-1835682.html. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
- ^ a b "25,000 take part in Croagh Patrick pilgrimage". RTÉ. 1999-07-25. http://www.rte.ie/news/1999/0725/croagh.html. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
- ^ a b c "Archbishop says people feel let down". RTÉ. 2002-07-28. http://www.rte.ie/news/2002/0728/croaghpatrick.html. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
- ^ a b c d e "Tough conditions for Croagh Patrick pilgrimage". RTÉ. 2006-07-30. http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/0730/croaghpatrick.html. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
- ^ a b c d e "Archbishop's appeal on Croagh Patrick". RTÉ. 2008-07-27. http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0727/croaghpatrick.html. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
- ^ a b c "Thousands attend annual Croagh Patrick pilgrimage". Evening Herald. 2009-07-26. http://www.herald.ie/breaking-news/national-news/thousands-attend-annual-croagh-patrick-pilgrimage-1841958.html. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
- ^ a b c "Croagh Patrick climbers urged not to go barefoot on pilgrimage". The Irish Times. 2009-07-23. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0723/1224251143218.html. Retrieved 2009-07-26. "That is according to Mayo Mountain Rescue Team (MMRT), which has advised, for the first time, that people should wear footwear when climbing the 2,510ft (764m) mountain for the traditional “Reek Sunday” pilgrimage. [...] For those determined to shed their shoes, the rescue unit urges that they at least bring some form of footwear with them which they can put on if the effort becomes too painful or excessive. For safety reasons, the unit also urges that each pilgrim carry a stick and maintain a very slow and careful pace while ascending and descending the mountain. Flip-flops, Wellington boots, sandals and stilettos have been given the red card by the rescue unit, which also advised that climbers wear multiple-layer clothing which can be added or removed as required. [...] Upwards of 20,000 people are expected to climb Croagh Patrick for the national pilgrimage on Sunday – among them the Archbishop of Tuam, Dr Michael Neary, who will celebrate 10.30am Mass in the mountaintop oratory."
- ^ "Croagh Patrick climbers warned of accidents". The Belfast Telegraph. 2009-07-25. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/breaking-news/ireland/croagh-patrick-climbers-warned-of-accidents-14430806.html. Retrieved 2009-07-26.
External links
- Mass from the Reek as broadcast on RTÉ in 2008
Categories:- Annual events in Ireland
- Catholic pilgrimage sites
- July observances
- Pilgrimages
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