Pilgrimage Schedule

Schedule -Saturday 19th July

(11am to 2pm)

The annual LMSI Croagh Patrick pilgrimage will begin with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in Ballintubber Abbey, Co.Mayo at 11pm (For directions to the Abbey,please see here)

After Mass all pilgrims should congregate in the Abbey carpark. Firstly, insurance forms must be filled out and given to the Abbey authorities. Secondly, as pilgrims will stay overnight in Aughagower Community centre some miles away from Ballintubber Abbey it is necessary to move people's cars to Aughgower before setting off on the first leg of the pilgrimage. John Heneghan will be in charge of leading cars to the Centre and in ferrying pilgrims back to the Abbey. The pilgrimage proper will start at 2pm, so once the cars have been delivered everyone is free to have lunch during this period. There is a pub to the left of the carpark which serves food or pilgrims can bring a packed lunch.

(2pm to 7pm)

At 2pm, pilgrims will move from the carpark down into the Abbey grounds, to the right and gather around the statue of St. Patrick. It is vital during the pilgrimage from the beginning to end that pilgrims stay together and walk at a reasonable pace. Those, who are last through each stile must ensure that the stile has been closed properly. This applies also to any gate that pilgrims pass through. This first leg of the pilgrimage is 11 miles and is punctuated by over 40 stiles and signposts directing the Pilgrimage Way and finishes on Saturday evening in the village of Aughagower.

The pilgrimage accommodation consists of Aughagower Community Centre which has two halls, a kitchenette and bathrooms. The hall nearest the main door is reserved for women pilgrims and the second hall to the right will be the men's quarters.

The kitchenette can be used for boiling water etc but not unfortunately for cooking so pilgrims need to either bring their own precooked food or travel into Westport town.

As the kitchenette is situated adjacent to the women's quarters pilgrims must walk though this hall to access the kitchenette - As the night goes on and pilgrims start to get ready for bed those people wanting to access the kitchen should knock first before entering.

Schedule- Sunday 20th July

(8am to 8pm)

The Sunday section of the pilgrimage begins with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at 9am in the Parish Church in Aughagower. This means that pilgrims must have had breakfast by 8am. All luggage must be packed up before Mass and left in the hallway of the Community Centre.

This second section of the pilgrimage is approx 11 miles and begins straight after Mass at approx. 10am and continues untill lunchtime at 1pm. There will be a second break at the foot of Croagh Patrick before ascending the reek.

Climbing Croagh Patrick is the most arduous part of the pilgrimage and the pilgrimage tends to split into smaller groups. It is very important that pilgrims be aware of members of their group both on the way up the mountain and more particularily on the way down.......

Much of Croagh Patrick particularly the upper part is comprised of moving shale. Many pilgrims find that a walking or climbing stick such as used by climbers gives them added balance on the mountain. After desending the mountain, please go to the pub at the right handside of the carpark. Once all pilgrims have descended from Croagh Patrick people will be ferried back to Aughagower to fetch their cars.

To access registration form for Croagh Patrick pilgrimage please go here