REEK SUNDAY SEES 25,000 CLIMB CROAGH PATRICK!

Over 25,000 people climbed Croagh Patrick today to celebrate Reek Sunday Joining the pilgrimage were Joe and Tony Hennigan although it has not been confirmed that they made the early morning trek in bare feet.

Reek Sunday or Garland Sunday is a yearly pilgrimage in Ireland.  On the last Sunday in July pilgrims climb Ireland's "holiest mountain", Croagh Patrick (Cruach Phádraig) in County Mayo, traditionally in their bare feet.  The pilgrimage has been held yearly for about 1,500 years.

It is held in honour of Saint Patrick who, according to tradition, spent 40 days fasting on the mountain in the year 441, following Jesus and Moses.  In reality, the modern pilgrimage is a long-Christianised variation of a ritual that dates back to pre-Christian, pagan Celtic Ireland, celebrating the festival of Lughnasadh. Pilgrims come from as far as Australia, Europe the United Kingdom and United States to complete the climb. Scientific analysis of the climbers first occurred in 2006 and Mass from the summit was broadcast worldwide via RTÉ for the first time in 2008

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Approximately 20,000–30,000 pilgrims participate on the day, compared to an annual climbing total of more than 100,000. The Archbishop of Tuam leads the climb each year. 150 personnel from eleven mountain rescue teams from across Ireland, including the local Mayo Mountain Rescue Team (MMRT) for whom it is the busiest day of the year, as well as the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Civil Defence Ireland and members of Garda Síochána are involved in the climb.  Injuries ranging from cuts and broken bones to hypothermia and full cardiac arrest have occurred in the past.