Annual Croagh Patrick pilgrimage is cancelled
The annual pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick, normally held on the last Sunday in July, has been cancelled for 2020.
“It is with a heavy heart that in light of very strong public health advice, which we fully take on board and adhere to, both for the health and protection of our own local community and that of those who may travel from other parts of the country, the annual pilgrimage for 2020 has been cancelled,” the Reek Sunday Organising Forum announced in a statement issued today.
The Forum outlined that Reek Sunday is a cross-community effort that essentially involves three separate zones:
- on the ground, where car parking and stewarding is provided by the local Murrisk Community Development Association;
- the rough terrain of the mountain path, which is covered by the Order of Malta, Mayo Mountain Rescue volunteers and their colleagues from throughout the country and beyond; and,
- at the summit, where liturgical services are provided by the Parish of Westport and priests from the Archdiocese of Tuam and from beyond the diocese.
“Following wide ranging consultation with all of the partners in Reek Sunday mentioned above, as well as An Garda Síochána and Mayo County Council, who are also closely involved in the planning and execution of the pilgrimage, it became clear immediately that we would not be logistically in a position to proceed with Reek Sunday this year,” the statement continued.
“Many of the volunteer stewards who know the terrain and the routine are themselves cocooning. The logistics of members of the public or volunteer emergency services coming to the assistance of someone who had fallen would create unnecessary public health risk. It was furthermore confirmed to us by a consultant in public health medicine that Reek Sunday fell outside the criteria laid out in the roadmap for reopening the country. The public health advice is clear and we absolutely abide by it.”
The Forum pointed out that in 2015 the pilgrimage was moved from the mountain because an overnight storm had destroyed infrastructure, which had taken weeks to put in place. That infrastructure included church facilities as well as emergency first aid and logistics.
Despite the damage, the inclement weather and the fact that the pilgrimage had been called off, people still climbed the mountain, putting themselves and others at risk.
“The local community welcomes pilgrims and tourists alike with open arms. However, these are different times and many of our community are vulnerable,” the Forum said.
“On behalf of everybody involved we plead that the decision is respected at this time, both for the sake of our community who support us so much, and in the national interest.
“Croagh Patrick is unique and we would ask people to please respect the local community. Gardaí will be on duty on all approaches to Croagh Patrick this year and, in order to protect us all, will be actively promoting and enforcing current public health guidelines.”
*Pictured above, the summit of Croagh Patrick.