Croagh Patrick
| Croagh Patrick | |
|---|---|
| Cruach Phádraig 'The Reek' | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 764 m (2,507 ft) |
| Prominence | 639 m (2,096 ft) |
| Listing | P600, Marilyn, Hewitt |
| Coordinates | 53°45′34″N 9°39′30″W / 53.7595°N 9.6584°W |
| Naming | |
| English translation | (Saint) Patrick's stack |
| Language of name | Irish |
| Geography | |
| OSI/OSNI grid | L906802 |
| Topo map | OSi Discovery 30, 31, 37 or 38 |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hike |
Croagh Patrick (Irish: Cruach Phádraig, meaning '(Saint) Patrick's stack'), nicknamed 'the Reek', is a mountain with a height of 764 m (2,507 ft) and an important site of pilgrimage in County Mayo, Ireland. The mountain has a pyramid-shaped peak and overlooks Clew Bay, rising above the village of Murrisk, several kilometres from Westport.
It has long been seen as a holy mountain. It was the focus of a prehistoric ritual landscape, and later became associated with Saint Patrick, who is said to have spent forty days fasting on the summit. There has been a church on the summit since the 5th century; the current church dates to the early 20th century. Croagh Patrick is climbed by thousands of pilgrims every year on Reek Sunday, the last Sunday in July, a custom which goes back to at least the Middle Ages.
Croagh Patrick is the fourth-highest mountain in the province of Connacht on the P600 listing after Mweelrea, Nephin and Barrclashcame. It is part of a longer east–west ridge; the lower westernmost peak is named Ben Goram.