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Reek Sunday (Irish: Domhnach na Cruaiche), Garland Sunday or Crom Dubh Sunday (Irish: Domhnach Crom Dubh) is an annual day of pilgrimage in Ireland.
On the last Sunday in July, thousands of pilgrims climb Ireland's holiest mountain, Croagh Patrick (764 metres) in County Mayo. It is held in honour of Saint Patrick who is said to have spent forty days fasting on the mountain in the 5th century. Masses are held at the summit, where there is a small chapel. Some climb the mountain barefoot, as an act of penance,[1] and some carry out 'rounding rituals', which were formerly a key part of the pilgrimage. This involves praying while walking sunwise around features on the mountain: seven times around the cairn of Leacht Benáin (Benan's grave), fifteen times around the circular perimeter of the summit, seven times around Leaba Phádraig (Patrick's bed), and then seven times around three ancient burial cairns known as Reilig Mhuire (Mary's cemetery).[2] Until 1970, it was traditional for pilgrims to climb the mountain after sunset.[3]
The pilgrimage has been held yearly for at least 1,500 years. It is likely that it pre-dates Christianity and was originally a ritual associated with the festival of Lughnasadh.[4][5]
The earliest surviving mention of a pilgrimage at Croagh Patrick is from the year 1113, when the Annals of Ulster record that "a ball of fire came on the night of the feast of Patrick on Cruacháin Aighle [Croagh Patrick] and destroyed thirty of those fasting".[3] Historically, pilgrimages were made to the mountaintop on Saint Patrick's Day, the Feast of the Assumption, and the last Friday in July (Crom Dubh's Friday).[3]
Today, most pilgrims climb Croagh Patrick from the direction of Murrisk Abbey to the north. Originally, most pilgrims climbed the mountain from the east, following the Togher Patrick (Tochár Phádraig) pilgrim path from Ballintubber Abbey. This route is dotted with prehistoric monuments.[3] The Tochár Phádraig may have originally been the main route to the mountain from Cruachan, seat of the Kings of Connacht. The Tochar Phadraig was revived and reopened by Pilgrim Paths of Ireland.[6]
Between 15,000 and 30,000 pilgrims participate, compared to a yearly climbing total of more than 100,000. The Archbishop of Tuam leads the climb each year. Up to 300 personnel from eleven mountain rescue teams from across Ireland are involved, including the local Mayo Mountain Rescue Team, for whom it is the busiest day of the year. Also involved is the Air Corps, Irish Cave Rescue Organisation (ICRO) the Order of Malta, Civil Defence Ireland and members of the Garda Síochána. Injuries ranging from cuts and broken bones to hypothermia and cardiac arrest occur each year.[7][8] The climb takes two hours, on average, and one and a half hours to descend.[9]
- ^ "The History of Croagh Patrick from the Croagh Patrick Visitor Centre - Teach na Miasa". croagh-patrick.com. Archived from the original on 16 August 2020. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
- ^ Carroll, Michael. Irish Pilgrimage: Holy Wells and Popular Catholic Devotion. JHU Press, 1999. p.38
- ^ a b c d Corlett, Christiaan. "The Prehistoric Ritual Landscape of Croagh Patrick, Co Mayo". The Journal of Irish Archaeology, Vol. 9. Wordwell, 1998. p.17
- ^ Harbison, Peter. Pilgrimage in Ireland: The Monuments and the People. Syracuse University Press, 1995. p.70
- ^ Monaghan, Patricia. The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore. Infobase Publishing, 2014. p.104
- ^ "Tóchar Phádraig Pilgrim Passport". Pilgrim Paths of Ireland. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
- ^ "20,000 to take part in annual Croagh Patrick pilgrimage". Irish Independent. 26 July 2009.
- ^ "Pilgrims to Croagh Patrick are urged to save their soles". Irish Independent. 23 July 2009.
- ^ How long does the climb take? Teach na Miasa, 2012.