Climbing Croagh Patrick, Co. Mayo, Ireland 1996

Every year on the last Sunday of July, pilgrims climb Ireland’s holiest mountain, Croagh Patrick in Co. Mayo, traditionally in their bare feet. Reek Sunday has been held for around 1,500 years in honour of St Patrick and his 40-day fast on the mountain in 441. Thousands come to climb and to pray. Mother and daughter Ramona and Patricia from Co. Fermanagh, Jimmy Noonan from Westport, Harry Hughes of the Croagh Patrick Archaeological Group and Father Fergal Cunnane from Westport, talk about their experiences of climbing Croagh Patrick and its significance to them. This episode of ‘Nationwide’ was broadcast on 29 July 1996. The reporter is Jim Fahy.