Croagh Patrick

Croagh Patrick is a quartzite mountain in County Mayo that rises 764 meters above sea level in a pyramid shape overlooking Clew Bay. The summit holds a small white chapel visible from the coast on clear days.

Saint Patrick fasted on the summit for forty days in the year 441, establishing a Christian tradition that continues today. A stone chapel was built in the 5th century and has been rebuilt several times over the following centuries.

On the last Sunday of July, thousands of pilgrims walk to the summit, many choosing to climb barefoot over sharp stones and loose scree. A small chapel at the top holds Mass on that day, with people forming long queues outside as they wait their turn.

The climb takes between two and three hours depending on pace and weather conditions, with the upper section crossing loose scree. The visitor center in Murrisk at the foot of the mountain offers information, toilets, and parking.

A gold seam was found inside the mountain during the 1980s but remains unmined because local people opposed any extraction work. The seam lies beneath the surface and stays untouched while pilgrims continue to visit the summit.

Location: County Mayo

Elevation above the sea: 764 m

GPS coordinates: 53.76003,-9.65925

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:19