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The Footsteps of St Patrick

By Pat Gallinagh

As Irish around the world prepare to celebrate the feast of Ireland's patron saint
And, if any are planning to visit the Emerald Isle, there's a challenge not for the faint
In County Mayo, there's a small mountain known locally as 'The Reek'
Craogh Patrick overlooks Clew Bay which simmers blue and sleek
It's about half way between Donegal and County Cork on the island's western side
And, though, it's a small mountain, its reputation is known the whole world wide
It had been known as a "holy site" long before St. Patrick was ever born
The ancient Druids trekked up to the top, their bodies tired and worn
They prayed to the "sun god" for a harvest bountiful and rich
And used their Celtic rituals hoping the gods would not their wishes ditch
Legend has it that St Patrick heard of this pagan holy place
And climbed it, and fasted forty days, asking God to help the Irish race
Upon his decent it is said he performed his greatest miracle of all
The serpents beneath the Irish turf had heard his clarion call
He drove all the snakes in Ireland into the cold dark brink
And to this day none can be found which made many faithful think
If they could follow in St Patrick's footsteps maybe God would hear them too
So they climbed the mountain's rocky slope amidst the fog and dew
This has become a tradition carried on down through all the years
Millions have trekked its rough and arduous path shedding sweat and tears
Now, on the last Sunday in July, thousands gather on its top
To patake in mass and pray that their problems all will stop
Some make the climb in their bare feet to do penance for their sins
Others just to add it to their feats for the tales that it spins
So, if you are planning to go to Ireland, then put climbing 'The Reek' on your list
And for those, who cannot make it, then let your imagination come to your assist
For life is like a journey climbing up a mountain and then coming back down
It can be slow and hard going up and quite easy to come crashing down
So take your time in both directions and enjoy the trip as much as you can
Take in all the sites and sounds and allow time to see as far as you can scan
And when you reach the end of your journey and comes Judgment Day
You'll know you've followed the path of St Patrick in a truly meaningful way

Author's Note

Croagh (pronounced crow) Patrick is a small mountain (2,507 ft.) located on the western side of Ireland in County Mayo overlooking Clew Bay which lead out into the Atlantic. It is about mid-way between the northern and southern tips of the Emerald Isle. It has been a holy site long before St Patrick ever set foot in Ireland. The pagan Celts usually celebrated the summer solstice on its top and prayed to the sun god for a bountiful harvest. Legend has it the St Patrick upon hearing about it climbed to the top and fasted for 40 days and 40 nights and upon his decent it is said he drove all the snakes out of Ireland.

Over time, millions of pilgrims have made the trek to the top along its rocky path, some in their bare feet to do penance for their sins. About 40,000 take the climb annually. On the last Sunday in July, known as Reek Sunday, the Archbishop of Tuam says a mass for thousands of congregants. The trail up the slope has been so worn over the centuries that loose rock has made in dangerous and in 2015 the mass was canceled. The author and his wife have seen Croagh Patrick from the window of his cousin's house in Knockrickard which is on the outskirts of Claremorris in County Mayo and was the birthplace of his mother but haven't climbed it as of yet, but it's on his bucket list.

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