Virtual Tour of Croagh Patrick

December 1, 2009

	1) MURRISK ABBEY In 1457 the Augustinians, Father O’Malley was granted permission to build a church and friary in Murrisk. The abbey is now in ruins, though a fine remaining feature is a five-light window on the east wall of the church and the embattled parapet, which crowns the south wall.


	2) FAMINE MONUMENT The John Behan sculptor depicts a ‘’Coffin Ship’’ with skeleton bones that commemorates the anniversary of the National Famine over one hundred and fifty years ago.


	3) ST. PATRICK’S STATUE Is erected near the base of the mountain by Father Pattterson in 1928. It is not one of the official stations of the reek. However, this is the start and finish of the pilgrimage.


	4A) FIRST STATION Leacht Benain ( named after Saint Patrick’s disciple Benignus) is at the base of the cone, consisting of a small circular cairn of stones. The pilgrim walks around it seven times and says seven Our Fathers, seven Hail Mary’s and one Creed.

	4B) TOCHAR PHADRAIG Tochar Phadraig ( Patrick’s Causeway ) is a very ancient route extending from Leacht Benain on Croagh Patrick to Ballintubber Abbey and predates Saint Patrick’s visit to Croagh Patrick.


	5A) SECOND STATION On reaching the summit, the pilgrim the second station of the reek by kneeling and saying seven Our Fathers, seven Hail Mary’s and one Creed.


	5B) After praying for the Pope’s intention near the Chaplet, the pilgrim then walks fifteen times round the church in a clockwise direction saying fifteen Our Fathers, fifteen Hail Mary’s and one Creed.


	5C) Leaba Phadraig (Patrick’s Bed) is the conclusion of the second station. Here pilgrims walk round seven times, saying seven a Our Fathers, seven Hail Mary’s and one Creed.


	5D) Rober Binn or more commonly known as ‘’ Bob of the Reek’’ lived on the summit for 14 years in the early 19th century. He is buried on the summit.


	6A) THIRD STATION ROILING MHUIRE ( Virgin’s Cemetery) is some distance down on the western side of the mountain. Here there are three cairns of stones and the pilgrim walks seven times round each cairn, saying seven Our Fathers, seven Hail Mary’s and one Creed and finally goes round the whole enclosure seven times praying. Roiling Mhuire is also known as Garrai Mor ( Big Garden) and is probably a pre-Christian grave.


	7) BERTRA BEACH Lying at the north base of Croagh Patrick is the beautiful Bertra beach, which is one of Ireland’s only tombola. A tombola is an area of sand or gravel connecting the mainland to an offshore island. This is one of the most wondrous sites from the top of the mountain on a clear day.

	Pilgrimages have been carried out continuously at Croagh Patrick since St. Patrick’s time, and the dates have varied over the centuries. The three days when services are available on the summit are:

	Last Sunday of July, otherwise known as ”Reek Sunday”, which is the national pilgrimage day on the mountain. Last Friday in July, known as ”Garland Friday”. 15th August (Feast of the Assumption).