There are many reasons why people climb Croagh Patrick on Reek Sunday.
Almost 35,000 people are taking part in the pilgrimage on Croagh Patrick. This year attracted more interest than ever as it is the centenary of the building of the oratory on the summit of the mountain.
The arduous task of climbing 762 metres of mountain that is Croagh Patrick.
Thousands of seasoned pilgrims, many of them barefoot, make the journey over stony ground. Each pilgrim has their own motivation or reason for undertaking the climb. One pilgrim who has done the Lough Derg pilgrimage fourteen times is climbing Croagh Patrick for the first time. He says it is much more physically demanding than Lough Derg.
Archbishop Michael Neary unveiled a plaque at the oratory on the summit to mark the centenary. He described the oratory as,
A symbol of the perseverance of the faith of the Irish people.
Reporter Tammy O'Leary is happy to have completed the pilgrimage but is doubtful of a repeat performance.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 31 July 2005. The reporter is Tammy O'Leary.
