Reek Sunday sees thousands of pilgrims climb to the summit of Croagh Patrick

Reek Sunday (Irish: Domhnach na Cruaiche) takes place on the last Sunday of July. Thousands took part in this years event which involved participants climbing Ireland's holiest mountain Croagh Patrick (Irish: Cruach Phádraig) which is 2,507 feet (764 metres) in height. The annual day of pilgrimage is held in honour of Saint Patrick who, in the year 441, spent 40 days fasting on the mountain in County Mayo (Irish: Contae Mhaigh Eo). There had been a chapel on the summit in the 5th century and another small chapel was built on the summit and dedicated on 20 July 1905. The mountain has long been thought to be a place of spiritual importance, even before the arrival of Celtic Christianity, when the mountain was known as Cruachán Aigle. It is believed to have been an important site at the time of the summer solstice associated with celebrating the Celtic festival of Lughnasadh.

Image: Croagh Patrick by Joseph William Carey (1859-1937)