- ‘Christian Hope’ designated as the theme for 2025 Reek Sunday pilgrimage
- See LINK for background to Reek Sunday and the dedicated Jubilee Pilgrims of Hope 2025
This year’s Reek Sunday falls on 27 July, and thousands of pilgrims of all ages – from across the island and from abroad – are expected to scale the 765 metres (2,520ft) of Ireland’s ‘Holy Mountain’, Croagh Patrick, just outside of Westport, Co Mayo, in the Archdiocese of Tuam.
The theme of Reek Sunday 2025 is ‘Christian Hope’, and this annual pilgrimage will continue the 1,600 year-old tradition of people scaling Ireland’s Holy Mountain to pray and participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession), and the Sacrament of the Eucharist (Mass) at the summit.
The late Pope Francis designated 2025 as a universal ‘Jubilee Year of Hope’ and, for this year, Croagh Patrick, Lough Derg and Knock have been identified by the Irish Bishops as national pilgrimage sites. These three well-known Irish sanctuaries have offered hope to pilgrims over generations and people can now obtain a ‘Pilgrim Passport’ for stamping when undertaking a pilgrimage to the three shrines during Jubilee Year 2025. Once all three pilgrimage sites are visited, a pilgrim is eligible to receive a special commemorative Jubilee Year medal.
Administrator of Westport parish, Father John Kenny, said, “I am delighted that the three-and-a-half year undertaking to restore the ‘Pilgrims Path’ section of Croagh Patrick has been completed since last year. Accordingly, and on behalf of the Croagh Patrick Stakeholders’ Group, I encourage everyone to attend our annual Reek Sunday weekend pilgrimage starting on Garland Friday, 25 July, in Westport. The stakeholders’ group has been responsible for monumental work in preserving and safeguarding the mountain for the common good.
“As Reek Sunday is the largest annual gathering on the mountain, it is essential that Reek Sunday pilgrims – and indeed all pilgrims – play their part in respecting the mountain. In this context I am highlighting that we all have a responsibility to share in the protection of the mountain’s fragile ecosystem, and I encourage all climbers to stay on the Pilgrim’s Path. This request is made in the interest of the safety of climbers themselves, to preserve the mountains habitat, and to sustain this special pilgrimage for future generations.
“As in previous years, I invite priests to join with me to minister sacraments on Croagh Patrick during Reek Sunday,” Father Kenny said. See contact information below.
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- Father John Kenny is Adm of Westport Parish in the Archdiocese of Tuam. Priests are invited to assist in the celebration of Mass and the hearing of Confessions on the summit on: +353 (0) 98 28871 or +353 (0) 87 240 1533.
- Parishes are asked to update parishioners with the following Reek Sunday 2025 newsletter insert so that it be may be carried as a notice by parish bulletins during July:
2025 is the universal Jubilee Year entitled ‘Pilgrims of Hope’, and Reek Sunday on Croagh Patrick (765m), Co Mayo, falls on 27 July with the theme of ‘Christian Hope’. This year the 1,600 year-old pilgrimage will have Mass celebrated on the hour at the summit of Ireland’s ‘Holy Mountain’ from 8.00am to 2.00pm, and Confessions will be heard from 7.30am to 2.00pm. All are welcome – especially families – but be safety aware when preparing for the climb and see details on westportparish.ie.
- Reek Sunday Weekend Pilgrimage – schedule
- Garland Friday, 25 July, the local pilgrimage will begin with 10.00am. Mass on the Summit of Croagh Patrick celebrated by Westport native Father Tod Nolan PP of Newport. 7.30p.m. Mass at Murrisk Community Café – Croagh Patrick carpark.
- Reek Saturday, 26 July at 8.30am, Tochar Phádraigh Pilgrims of Hope Jubilee Pilgrimage begins at Ballintubber Abbey. For details contact 094-9030934. At 6.30pm the Vigil Mass in Saint Mary’s Church, Westport, with celebrant Archbishop Francis Duffy of Tuam. Poster available (see image included) to help promote this year’s pilgrimage.
- Reek Sunday, 27 July, Masses will be celebrated from 8.00am on the summit and confessions will be available from 7.30am.
- Pilgrim’s Passport
When a pilgrim completes their pilgrimage on Croagh Patrick, they can get their Pilgrim Passport stamped at:
- The Presbytery Office in Westport. F28 TN28.
- “The Hut at the Foot” or
- Murrisk Community Café
both of which are located in the carpark at Murrisk F28KX75.
For further details visit
- Safety advice for pilgrims
Croagh Patrick is a physically demanding pilgrimage. Intending pilgrims should make themselves aware in advance of health and safety information about the mountain. Pilgrims should also heed the instructions of stewards, the mountain rescue teams, Order of Malta, and Gardaí. While it is a custom for some to make the climb barefoot, pilgrims should come prepared for changeable weather conditions, and are advised to bring suitable warm-waterproof clothing, good footwear, walking stick/staff and water, and to be mindful of the safety of themselves and others. For more information see mountaineering.ie and mayomountainrescue.ie/index.php/advise/safety/and/equipment
To sustain the tradition of the national Reek Sunday Pilgrimage on Croagh Patrick, and to protect the mountain, the Church has actively engaged with other stakeholders to undertake sustainable access and habitat restoration. This project has provided a robust path for access – The Pilgrims’ Path – as well as restoring eroded parts of the previous path on the mountain. As part of the Church’ s support for the project, there is a commitment to minimise the environmental impact of the pilgrimage on Croagh Patrick. To achieve this goal, pilgrim climbers are respectfully asked to comply with the following guidelines:
- If traveling by car, please park responsibly and follow the instructions of stewards on the day.
- Stay on the mountain’s defined path and do not encroach on the surrounding area.
- The mountain streams provide drinking water for the local community.
- We strongly endorse the “Leave no Trace Principle’, therefore pilgrims are asked not to discard any litter on the mountain and to bring all waste home.
- Dogs are not allowed on the mountain. Please respect this requirement. The mountain is part of a shared working farm.
- Faith history of Croagh Patrick
Pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick has been undertaken for nearly 1,600 years, and this iconic physical feature on the South West County Mayo landscape is of significant natural, cultural and spiritual importance. The Pilgrimage is associated with Saint Patrick who, in 441 AD, spent 40 and days and nights fasting on the summit, following the example of Christ and Moses. The name “Reek Sunday” comes from Patrick’s ability to Christianise many pagan customs including the festival of Lughnasa, which previously heralded the start of the Harvest festival honouring the ancient pagan god Lugh, whose name encompassed in the Irish language word for August: Lughnasa. This festival tradition became absorbed into new Christian beliefs and locally become knowing as Domnach na Cruaiche (Reek Sunday)
A virtual tour and additional information on Croagh Patrick can be viewed on tuamarchdiocese.org. and westportparish.ie
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