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| Croagh Patrick as seen from the Westport Golf Club |
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| Croagh Patrick's summit as seen from the trail (obscured in the mist) |
No matter where you are in this part of County Mayo, your eye, your heart, and your spirit are drawn to Croagh Patrick, St. Patrick’s holy mountain. Located near the shores of Clew Bay, both its height (2500 feet) and its shape define the skyline here, and the mountain provides an orientation point to place yourself geographically wherever you are. The mountain has been one of the spiritual centers of Ireland and has been the site of pilgrimages for fifteen hundred years. Hundreds of pilgrims climb the mountain daily and on certain Sundays (Reek Sundays) thousands of people will ascend to the summit.
Candee and I made a second climb yesterday (we had been on Croagh Patrick last year). The climb is tough and yesterday was particularly challenging since the steady rain made the trek a bit more treacherous, with slippy mud and rocks (yes, slippy - the Irish version of slippery). We had hoped to climb to the first station, and we did make it several hundred yards further than we did last year, but this sedentary (the accent on the “dent” to sound like a local, please) chubby old American had met his limit. All in all, close to a two hour arduous (for me) ascent and an hour climbing down, all the while trying to not ride the small pebbles and mud down onto my "
thóin," (indelicate Irish word for derriere). The walking sticks we rented were essential in meeting this goal. Although a bit disappointed to have not reached our goal of the first station, we had a sense of satisfaction to have attempted the climb on this less than ideal day. Soaked to the skin, we enjoyed a nice hot bowl of soup and a brown scone at the café at the base of the mountain. A nice dinner later and early to bed, feeling some moderate, self-righteous soreness in our legs.
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| Milseain with her walking stick negotiating a treacherous passage |
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| The view on a "fine day" - last year's climb |
