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Self-Catering / Rental John & Bernadette Walsh
Accommodation
Also Available
Town
or Country
Croagh Patrick, rising 765m above sea
level is a pyramidal structure which looks
out across Clew Bay. Tradition has it that
St. Patrick, whist fasting on the summit
for 40 days, banished the snakes from
Ireland, (and to this day no snakes have
been spotted here.)
Pilgrimages have been making it to the
summit for over 1500 years and today it is
estimated that 25,000 people make the
ascent on 'Reek Sunday ' (the last Sunday
in July) to hear mass.
St. Patrick started his missionary work in
Ireland in 432 but did not reach Croagh
Patrick until 441. It is believed that he
spent the night in Aughagower 'The Plain
of Springs', 8 miles east of the Reek
before making the ascent. To this day you
can find 'Leaba Phadraig', 'Patrick's bed'
and the holy well, 'Dabhach Phadraig'
close to the medieval church and the round
tower.
There is an ancient pilgrim path through
the Tochar Valley which starts at
Ballintubber Abbey. The abbey is unique in
that it has been used continuously since
its construction almost 800 years ago by
Cathal O'Connor, King of Connaught near to
the site of the original church built by
St. Patrick. The route takes you through
Aughagower to Leacht Benain a station on
Croagh Patrick. There are guided walks
along Tóchar Phadraig which is 32km
long and takes about 12 hours to
complete.
Angling
Attractions
Events
History
News
Scenic
Drives
Links
"Rocksberry"
Westport Road
Castlebar
County Mayo
Ireland
