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 / 53.7595; -9.6584
Naming
English translation	(Saint) Patrick's stack
Language of name	Irish
Geography
Croagh Patrick County Mayo, Ireland
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'),^[1] nicknamed 'the Reek',^[1] 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.