Croagh Patrick consultant starts fieldwork for conservation

Áine Ryan

CROAGH Patrick’s recently appointed consultant has commenced the fieldwork for its conservation project, which according to a 2013 report by another expert, could cost some €1.5 million, due to significant erosion. Mr Chris York, whose company, Walking the Talk, has wide experience in the management and repair of upland walkways in Scotland and Ireland met the holy mountain’s stakeholders’ group last week, during his first visit to the site.
“In his preliminary feedback, Mr York was confident that there are repair and management measures available to improve the condition of Croagh Patrick and enhance the experience of those climbing the mountain while respecting the pilgrimage route. He did, however, highlight significant challenges particularly in the summit area of the mountain,” Mr Martin Keating, Chairman of Croagh Patrick Stakeholders’ Group, told The Mayo News yesterday.
Mr Keating confirmed York will return with members of his team in early April to complete the design work and will then present his report in May.
Meanwhile a spokeswoman for Mayo Mountain Rescue (MMR) welcomed the news.
“We welcome any conservation measures as long as the measures are sympathetic to the environment and heritage of the mountain.   Because of all the funding invested in tourism along the Atlantic seaboard in recent years there are more and more people visiting the mountain,” the MMR spokeswoman told The Mayo News.  
There are now some 100,000 people – pilgrims and tourists – climbing it each year, she confirmed.      
“Last year was our busiest year since we were established 25 years ago. Over the year Croagh Patrick accounted for about 95 percent of our callouts,” she continued.  
“The majority of our casualties have to go to hospital. We are seeing an increase in head and lower leg injuries. They mainly happen at a number of black-spots on the mountain: at the initial ascent to the shoulder where there is a lot of erosion and on the cone. Most of the injuries occur while descending,” the MMR spokeswoman added.