Croagh Patrick "Reeks" Pilgrimage - and other Pagan Outings

[C. Flower]

Surely more to do with paganism and nature worship than to do with Christianity? Ireland, although Christianised over 1,500 years ago, still has its patterns and well visits, fire jumping and other pagan customs that can be found in many parts of Europe. Lithuania was pagan up to about three hundred years ago.

Anyone here doing the climb, or who has done it in the past?

http://www.independent.ie/breaking-n...k-3182526.html

[homer]

Yes today many thousands climbed Croagh Patrick ( locally called the Reek ) in a continuation of a pilgrimage tradition going back thousands of years.

Archeological investigations have uncovered evidence of structures there on or near the summit going back long before Christitan times. The fact that there are gold deposits there may also have attracted people.


The traditional pathway to Croagh Patrick, now called Tochar Phadraig from Croaghaun in Roscommon ( a royal site ) thru Ballintubber and Aughagower village was in existence long before 400 a.d. - archeologists can establish this from examination of standing stones etc.

Local tradition is that people in pagan ttimes climbed the Reek to worship the local god Crom Dúbh. There was mention of sacrifice of virgins.

The old Irish name for present day Reek Sunday was Domhnach Crom Dúbh.

The Reek dominates the landscape and seascape for miles around. When St Patrick got there, and saw the activity he took it over for christianity.

I met a priest in Barra Island in the Hebridies about 1984 who told me there was a tradition there that in the middle age pilgrims sailed from there down to Clew Bay to climb the Reek

Some of the archeological surveys are on the web - Walsh is one of of these. Survey also done by Morahan,but not sure if this is on the web.

Harry Hughes Westport had written a history of Croagh Patrick..

If you come to climb, enjoy but be careful - good footwear and clothing - it is an 2500 foot mountain.

[Captain Con O'Sullivan]

All religions/spiritual groupings share this in common- they are all to a large extent shaped by the landscape of the land where they emerged.

To that extent they can be said to be a product of the environment of their origin and the perceptions of the people from that place- whose perceptions also were shaped by the landscape around them.

[Holly]

All religions/spiritual groupings share this in common- they are all to a large extent shaped by the landscape of the land where they emerged. ...

That must have been a challenge for the Dutch.

[Ah Well]

That must have been a challenge for the Dutch.

[bernadette]

I've never actually climbed the Reek I must but not on any feast day. Tbh the main reason I haven't yet is I don't like the christianised marketing of it, they've even built a chappel on the top! Its enough to make you weep.

Its so typical, every sacred place the christians could build on - they did. The real miracle is that the old ways survived and are growing in popularity again.

[C. Flower]

That must have been a challenge for the Dutch.

It had its effects. In a piece of research on national arts preferences, most nations chose a Constable of a lake, trees, and people as their favourite painting.

The Dutch chose an abstract painting of grids.

Their relationship with nature is different, because they shaped their own environment so much, in a planned way.

[homer]

I've never actually climbed the Reek I must but not on any feast day. Tbh the main reason I haven't yet is I don't like the christianised marketing of it, they've even built a chappel on the top! Its enough to make you weep.

Its so typical, every sacred place the christians could build on - they did. The real miracle is that the old ways survived and are growing in popularity again.

Bernadette

Croagh Patrick has been "christianised" since the arrival of St Patrick there. afaik not many Crom Dúbh worshippers around these days

[bernadette]

Bernadette

Croagh Patrick has been "christianised" since the arrival of St Patrick there. afaik not many Crom Dúbh worshippers around these days

Are you sure? My experience since coming home is that they never went away!

The RCC has been reduced to absorbing, accepting and down right theft of all our major deities and places of worship. Every well, tree or site they could get their bloody (dripping red) paws on and still the real faith has shone through! Its extraordinary but it is still there and the Reek is still the sacred mountain build as many chapels as they will. And sell tea to the converted, and dispense holy water to the blind fools.

[Captain Con O'Sullivan]

That must have been a challenge for the Dutch.

What- you mean the 'flatliners'? Lovely people- but very, very, boring

[Richardbouvet]

Calvinism - flat for the Dutch, bumpy for the Scots?

[C. Flower]

Anyone else catch the report on RTE about a proposed helipad for the top of the mountain?

Opposed by the mountain rescue service on the grounds that helicopters don't land when they pick people up from mountain sides....

[PaddyJoe]

Anyone else catch the report on RTE about a proposed helipad for the top of the mountain?

Opposed by the mountain rescue service on the grounds that helicopters don't land when they pick people up from mountain sides....

The Mayo News from last week:

There had been speculation in recent weeks of a helicopter landing pad being constructed on Croagh Patrick, and it is understood that these discussions have involved An Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

Enda Kenny’s spokesman, Cllr Ger Deere, confirmed to The Mayo News yesterday that representations were made to him, during his recent ascent of Croagh Patrick with Republic of Ireland football team manager, Giovanni Trapattoni, about the need for a helipad on the mountain.
“I understand that John Cummins (the Guardian of Croagh Patrick) spoke to the Taoiseach and the County Manager, Peter Hynes, about the need for a helipad,” Cllr Deere said.
When contacted, County Secretary, John Condon said: “The feasibility of providing a helicopter landing pad on Croagh Patrick is being researched by the council. We are in discussions with the Air Corps about the possibilities and various options are being examined about where on the mountain would be suitable.”

http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?opt...news&Itemid=46

[C. Flower]

The Mayo News from last week:


http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?opt...news&Itemid=46

Mayo County Council looking into the feasibility and location of a helipad, but not into whether or not is is a good idea to have one?

The mountain rescue group were in favour of spending any available funds on anti-erosion measures.

"The Guardian of Croagh Patrick" seems not to be a statutory appointment...

[bernadette]

Mayo County Council looking into the feasibility and location of a helipad, but not into whether or not is is a good idea to have one?

The mountain rescue group were in favour of spending any available funds on anti-erosion measures.

"The Guardian of Croagh Patrick" seems not to be a statutory appointment...

This idea is madness! The Reek is under continual attack and the only thing the council can come up with is a helipad that won't be used and won't fit without even more damage.