Go Hiking Ireland

Croagh Patrick

 

Well my daughter had been nagging me to take her up to climb this holy Mountain so we set off at 9.30am the drive from Limerick is about 2 1/2 hrs, at least the roads are pretty good these days, we hit westport just around 12 noon and my daughter got her first sight of Croagh Patrick( think her firsts words were OMG) we parked in the Croagh Patrick visitors Centre parking is a max of €3.00 unless you plan on Climbing it in 1hour then it is cheaper.  I had climbed this Mountain earlier in the year while doing the 5 peaks challenge and back then this was the last one of the 5 peaks so needless to i did not enjoy it that much, but this time me and my daughter could take it at a more relaxed place, there are people from all walks of life climbing this mountain for whatever reason be it religious or Recreational for me and my daughter it was the latter

.The trail is a wide and very uneven path slowly snaking it's way up as it carves it's way up and along the side of the Mountain, when you reach the  shoulder this is about the after way point, time to take little bit of a breather.  

 

.Now comes the long final push as you come face to face with it's steepness, this relentless climb up the side over lose rocks is a long hard slog with no "real path to follow" with hundreds of people going up and down slipping and sliding this bit for me becomes annoying, it is the hardest part of the climb  for sure.

 

Reaching the top with such a relief you are rewarded with i have to say some of the most beautiful views over some of the most amazing countryside Ireland as to offer, looking out over Clew bay  with it's 365 Islands dotted all over the bay and of cause the Church which sits on top making this a  very rewarding experience. :) .

 

The only problem now is the return journey heading back the way you came to me this is the most dangerous part as you have to pick your way slowly over rocks and around people coming up and down, but it does give you time to look out and enjoy some breathtaking views as you make your way down.

We took around 2hrs to reach the Summit this includes breaks and photo stops, and about 1hr to return, and well done to Aisling for pushing through the pain barrier to reach the summit ( her blisters were pretty bad ) .