Night Climbing Croagh Patrick, Co. Mayo, Ireland 1970

‘7 Days’ looks at pilgrimages to Croagh Patrick, Co. Mayo, the reasons for participating in the pilgrimage and the types of people that do it. According to legend Saint Patrick climbed Croagh Patrick and fasted for 40 days and 40 nights.
Bill O’Herlihy, along with 15,000 other pilgrims, visits “The Reek” as it is commonly known on National Pilgrimage Day, which falls on the last Sunday of July each year.
Croagh Patrick is 2,510 feet high, almost 3 miles from base to peak, and takes 3 hours to climb to the top. For many, this all night vigil of pain and endurance represents the roots of their religion - Christianity and the Cross and the “Suffering Irish”.For 11 hundred years, men and women have climbed Croagh Patrick with a primitive and purging faith.
The film shows young and old climbing the mountain booted or bare foot in wet, cold and blustery conditions. According to folklore, St. Patrick climbed the mountain and fasted for 40 days and 40 nights.
Another interpretation says that the pilgrimage emerged from a Christian adaptation of a pagan festival. For many, it is now a personal pilgrimage and mass at the top of the reek marks the sacrifice made by the pilgrims.
The meanings assigned to the pilgrimage are many and varied and include: penitential exercise, a physical challenge, a tradition, and a way to pass the night.

[@benji.B-side]

Those pensioners, even though they were old, they must have been still fit, to be able to do that walk. Tough, strong, wonderful people!

[@soupbread7039]

I climbed Croagh Patrick as a child, 30 years ago. I swear I'll do it again next year and it'll be an annual pilgrimage from now on. We've lost so much, don't lose this.

[@IONLYPLAYCODFTW]

Thank you so much for your channel my grandparents are glued to it It really brings them back in time something money can’t buy 😊😊😊😊

[@rockandrollpaddy]

I first climbed Croagh Patrick on Reek Sunday in '72 and again in '73, aged 13,14 when on holiday with family from England. Great craic! It certainly wasn't a penance! I've climbed it several times since, but my climbing days are over!

[@philipdee1415]

We are the same age! If I can still do it you can too! Have a go...

[@odonnchada9994]

Hail Glorious Roman Catholic Saints And Martyrs Of Éireann.☘✝️🇮🇪

[@ShoJ369]

I did this barefoot as a kid, ( around 11 yrs old ). It was difficult, and we fasted too, it was spiritual though.

[@daylight44ful]

I’m from Westport where Croagh Patrick is located . I have climbed the “Reek” many times and once in my bare feet . It is a very Sacred Mountain .

[@cormacryan500]

I’ve been thinking of doing it in my feet, is it very difficult and painful? I’ve done many times but never barefoot but could you give me and idea of how painful it is

[@daylight44ful]

@@cormacryan500 Its a very slow process as you have to pick every step, takes all day. You Can get the odd bruised toe or scratch but nothing to cry about :) just be very careful and take your time and you will be grand.

[@daylight44ful]

@Mary Marshall Yes you do especially when you reach the Church at the Top, the view is breathtaking on a fine day . I felt the Holy Spirit when I meet the people coming up as I was going down and we all encourage each other to keep going and at the bottom you feel triumphant, when you have done the climb . It’s a very holy place and believe it or not the mountain is full of Gold ... fact .

[@jamescarney4394]

@@daylight44ful M

[@paddyearly]

Isn’t it amazing how our faith has evaporated in 60 years😭 Dear God we pray for huge conversions🙏

[@burntbacon7995]

Catholic is not Christian.

[@nmatthew7469]

@@burntbacon7995 all non Catholic sects are man made false sects such as the one you belong to.

[@diamondjoe100]

This was very well shot & edited. Epic almost like an old biblical movie. Tough characters around back then. I hope to climb it one day.

[@adrienneturley7576]

Tough today, too. My grandda is 97 not frail nor ill. Up the Irish!

[@angieogden2308]

My ansestory is mayo I found this so interesting very nostalgic

[@carolebarker2195]

Me too. Quite moving. Mine are from Charlestown.

[@dellhell8842]

Makes those Everest documentaries look a doddle. Bill O'Herlihy struggling to get his head around it. The Archbishop of Tuam moved it to a daytime pilgrimage in 1974 for safety and sobriety reasons. A&E staff in Castlebar hospital were inundated some years with injured pilgrims. The pilgrimage is the last Sunday in July, a few weeks after trainee doctors start their rotation so it could be a bit chaotic. Does not appear to a major problem in recent years. In the 2019 pilgrimage, 23 were injured but all but one were treated locally on the mountain with one helicoptered to Castlebar hospital.

[@DSTH323]

Wonderful. Thank You for these marvelous, inspiring videos ---- DH, Massachusetts

[@oljepaodragaoslobodo.6697]

Well done to the faithful and brave Irish people. God bless Ireland. Greetings from Medjugorje. 🇨🇮✝️🇭🇷❤

[@Discover-Ireland]

The real people of Eire a different time

[@brianallen858]

When the Irish were iron, now we're feathers...

[@brianallen858]

@@hallerdand what's wrong with that

[@johnsometimeswrong8742]

I've done the climb.. twas handy enough.

[@dechannigan2980]

Snowflakes

[@brianallen858]

@@fleontrotsky I'm sure you are right.... good luck in the euros if your from eastern Europe 👍👍

[@rhizomefriend]

Go on and climb it yourself in the middle of the night ya auld lump of shite.

[@rocon86]

Climbed the reek twice and hope to climb it again sometime. Whether you are religious or not, it's a great experience and would recommend to give it a go. The scenery is breathtaking at the top on a clear day.

[@draoi99]

I climbed it once when I was a teenager. A great day out.

[@kennethwalsh3078]

Brilliant channel 👍

[@BodyGuardOfLies1]

Used to visit Croagh Patrick as a kid my family are from Mayo but I haven't been back for many years now.

[@johncunnane1582]

4:14 this is inspiring. Man is delighted to have got as far as he has. The old stock of Irish were hardy folk.

[@emulatorm9600]

That's amazing....👌

[@silverbullet8338]

Good little film loved it 👍

[@hilltop521]

A fair pull up their a great relief when u get to the top

[@SteveSmith-zz4ih]

After that climb a cup of tea would go down well.

[@harryclarke3217]

By the looks of it more than tea was drank

[@jayd1974]

That’s on my to do list next time I’m over in Westport

[@LeedsUnitedJohn]

You can't beat the Irish. Climbing Ireland's holiest mountain and get drunk before they do it.

[@msb9997]

The music is so dramatic and crazy. However, no matter ones religious beliefs you have to admire the determination and faith those elderly people had. It was there hope and belief at the time and they should not be criticised for that. A little respect for them wouldn't go a miss. They're all probably gone now. RIP.

[@choctaw6838]

Excellent 👌⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@Morningstar-xz5bl]

The whole of Ireland needs God again

[@jackm4536]

Religion is dead and it will stay that way. It has held society back.

[@maryfox7440]

Now more than ever before!

[@MikeyJMJ]

This production reeks (no pun intended) of Anglican mockery

[@justinneill5003]

Indeed it does; the music, the language, the intonation etc. Somehow I doubt if God does sarcasm, but good luck to the film makers anyway. When my time comes I hope I will be able to face it with the same faith, humility, purity of heart and a solid foundation for hope as these folks have.

[@davidnyc487]

No it doesn’t.

[@anvilbrunner.2013]

@@davidnyc487 Yes it does.

[@anvilbrunner.2013]

How so ?

[@hallerd]

@@anvilbrunner.2013 both are laughable fables

[@judelyons1]

I climbed it several years ago after breaking my back. I haven't been right since.

[@robbiekop7]

Fair play for trying....I wouldn't have 😲

[@lmtt123]

Ummm well you shouldn't have climbed it with a bad back. You make it sound as if it's the mountain's fault and not your stupidity

[@judelyons1]

@@lmtt123 l had always wanted to do it. I don’t give in easily.

[@ciaranmaguidhir7858]

@@lmtt123 why shame someone with enough endurance to pursue through faith? Maybe you should take it as inspiration

[@disprogreavette8545]

Good on you for getting back at it after breaking your back. I fractured my T-11and 12 a decade ago and I understand the struggle. No mountains near me but lots of swimming and canoeing (when the lake isn't frozen). Cheers from the Canadian hinterland and good luck with your back.

[@gloriahoulihan8717]

I certainly will not be climbing it without boots!

[@geoffbell166]

Slippery as a butchers in those bloody brothel creepers,and bad weather,the donkeys even struggling!

[@antonyadshead91]

Subtitled: What not to wear when hiking up a big hill lashed by Atlantic weather. Fascinating stuff tho.

[@e.w.1179]

They are doing it for the right reason, i.e. Penance.

[@padraigmoloney5952]

Is that the guy from the "Life in Rural Ireland, Mayo, 1975" video at 6:30. The guy who was talking about his daughter walking to school.

[@allanb52]

I thought Joe and I were the only silly sods to do this....well well. With us it was Cheddar Gorge, back in the 70s/80s happy days.

[@LizMcNamara47]

You wouldn’t put a rumour out on a night light that!

[@tomthompson7400]

its tough enough at the last part , and I did it in walking boots , those doing it bare foot deserve a free sin.

[@montaguewithnail5891]

Bally-Go-Backwards. So glad we've moved on as a society.

[@lh3540]

it is a 4.5 mile hike with 2100' of prominence. (laughs ruefully in american rockies)

[@MrMatti-lx8et]

the music is from the movie Ben Hur.

[@bohsgerry]

God bless ouR 32 COUNTY FAITH

[@anvilbrunner.2013]

But it's thE 21ST CENTURY

[@edwardcooper3948]

32 counties ? Yes, you would be very welcome to join the United kingdom

[@nervesinapattern7261]

Are these nighwalks still a thing?

[@MikeyJMJ]

Yes, not as big though

[@nervesinapattern7261]

@@MikeyJMJ thanks! It’s something I’d like too do eventually.

[@AG-fl3kl]

There needs to be a revival, then maybe the lockdowns would stop! Please God

[@gloriahoulihan8717]

The weather that day looks awful.

[@tos4057]

Yeah all of you laugh at these people but if you have real faith and conviction and feel it is a way of glorifying God why attack them

[@MikeyJMJ]

Hatred, that's why

[@melaniejane7036]

Hate breeds hate. The world is full of narcissistic nasty people who revel in mocking and disrespecting others and their beliefs.

[@adnansharif406]

Respect and good manners don't cost a penny. Only the rich of heart are blessed with them.

[@hallerd]

Because they want to impose their religious laws on all. They make it our problem with their fanatical insanity.

[@tos4057]

@@hallerd So what is "imposing" about going up a mountain and praying? They aren't going to every door praying a decade of the rosary..you are the same type of person to speak of tolerance at you yourself can not tolerate peoples beliefs.

[@seanmichael9482]

It looks like a pyramid

[@anvilbrunner.2013]

That's always been it's appeal.

[@seanmichael9482]

@@anvilbrunner.2013 🙂 Perhaps why the history of gathering/climbing is pre history ?

[@MikeyJMJ]

You mean pyramids look like Croagh Patrick

[@anvilbrunner.2013]

@@seanmichael9482 I think it's to prove tribal identity by evidence of your Irish long toe.

[@anvilbrunner.2013]

@@MikeyJMJ That might well be the right way around.

[@jimbob9907]

Wow

[@anvilbrunner.2013]

Wee

[@mizzyroro]

Is this still a thing?

[@ColmM36]

At 00:43 what does the presenter call the day? "Domhnach blank dubh" it sounds to me but I'm unsure

[@dellhell8842]

The word is "Chrom". "Domhnach (Sunday) Chrom (bent over, bowed down, burdened) Dubh (black)" is an Irish phrase meaning the last Sunday in July.

[@Idontknow-ly9bu]

@@dellhell8842 in German we use the word "krumm" for saying that something is bent as well its pronounced quite similar

[@dellhell8842]

@@Idontknow-ly9bu Yes a lot of words have common roots (Latin?). For example the windows in a house would be referred to as 'fenestration' in English. The Irish, German, Italian and French words for the window are 'an fuinneog', 'das fenster', 'la finestra' and 'la fenêtre'.

[@patmf2000]

@@dellhell8842 From Wikipedia: Crom Dubh (Old Irish: [krˠuumˠ d̪ˠuβˠ], Scottish Gaelic: [kʰɾɔum t̪uh]), meaning "dark crooked [one]" (also Crum Dubh, Dark Crom) is a mythological and folkloric figure of Ireland, based on the god Crom Cruach, or "king idol of Ireland", mentioned in the 12th-century dinnseanchas of Magh Slécht.[1]

[@Toshfunk]

Domhnach Crom Dubh (Crooked Dark Sunday). It's a reference to this tradition's pagan origins.

[@rabc1558]

No karrimor coats in them days feck sake

[@ireland2657]

It's a British made coat so defo not

[@jom6136]

I lost count of how many times he said it loud and clear a pagan ritual. Wish someone showed me this video clip before I got here!!! I'm sure I would have bawked!!! Cos I've been asking the same question now for years..What is this Place????

[@DevRSVR]

The narration doesn't sound like it's from 1970?

[@AG-fl3kl]

Mass ad orientem. Very nice. Where is the Faith if the Irish people now? Is this still a popular pilgrimage?

[@anvilbrunner.2013]

It's at the psychiatrist's.

[@MikeyJMJ]

It's still popular but for some reason it was canceled during lockdown.

[@gloriahoulihan8717]

Maybe the spirit

[@mayoman32]

Be a real man and go up barefoot and NAKED

[@smiley9872]

No snowflakes, them times. Hardy men and women.

[@desslattery3457]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@smiley9872]

@@johnbalance3989 the only way to do it!

[@captur69]

Madness....on all accounts...

[@maryfox7440]

It's faith!

[@paullinnane8135]

The late bill o hurlihy speaking

[@TheLastAngryMan01]

Okie doke.

[@mathunt1130]

Why do this?

[@anvilbrunner.2013]

It's to show who's actually Irish. Irish toes are unmistakeable.

[@MikeyJMJ]

It beats sitting in front of a screen doing nothing

[@hwy_74]

why not

[@richardgiles2484]

🤔

[@pauldoyle2708]

Beautiful girl 1.54.

[@MrPEIcanada]

There was a fanaticism about it I found uncomfortable the further into the vid one gets, I have an inkling of what it may have been like 100s of years ago now.

[@disprogreavette8545]

Still better than the fanaticism the Canadian media shows for their almighty leader Turdeau....just kidding. I think the soundtrack, narration,footage and editing they used was meant to bring out out those feelings in the viewers.

[@MrPEIcanada]

@@disprogreavette8545 It was odd the images at the beginning of people essentially partying their way their then it got creepy as the images switched to the actual climb. Imagine though doing all that in the dark without the benefit of camera lights etc and you can see why the tradition had so many casualties, particularly when at least some are driven to it by their beliefs. It is history, for good and/or ill.

[@dechannigan2980]

Superstition mountain, know as Eagle Mountain in pre Christian Times..

[@onemanandhisdogsgoawonderi4630]

Might as well have gone to the north pole to see father Xmas..poor saps

[@TheLayngAlan]

never climbed it, never made a ounce of sense, power of the Church and religion held Ireland back from progress

[@freemindthinkerezrapound5071]

Ah those were the days Men women children and grandparents climbing and not a snowflake in sight

[@maryirving2871]

I only care about the poor donkey!

[@jamescarney4394]

Mop

[@peasantsrevolt4780]

Ahhhhhh ridiculous superstition. My people are always 50 years late to the party.

[@someGuy-os3kg]

Jayz thats a pricshe shtick.

[@iseegoodandbad6758]

See In rural areas girls are lucky enough to have NORMAL estrogen - testosterone balance. In urban areas womens testosterone levels are way too high and thus they look and act harsh, masculine and are oftentimes infertile. In rural areas the food is pure and the milk is especially fresh. Thus ensures a lady develops bigger than a C cup and is not covered head to toe in acne and androgenous hairs!!

[@anvilbrunner.2013]

Yes they were amazing weren't they.

[@CosmicTurbo949]

I think the difference is more cultural than biological, at least in modern times. Besides, a lot of country girls head off to the city for college/work these days, and basically turn into trendy, PC latte drinkers the minute they step off the bus.

[@anvilbrunner.2013]

@@CosmicTurbo949 Surely not with the old knockers to the knees & all. It's rare to be seen these days.

[@declanokeeffe84]

There should be a lunatic asylum built at the top.

[@MikeyJMJ]

That might get you off your arse for once

[@ostrichman]

there is, you can see it from 5.50 onwards.

[@StumpyVandal]

😂😂😂 best comment I’ve read in a while!

[@BestUserNameUK]

There's a psych' unit nearby at Castlebar.

[@Spintye]

Nice flag. Do you know how many Fenians died with the "lunatic" assumption that their faith would give them eternal life? Over 90% of them. Fool.

[@michaelmcmullan2300]

The stupid and the gullible