Family Day on the Reek for Heritage Week

Leave No Trace Ireland is inviting families and outdoor enthusiasts to join their family day at Croagh Patrick next Sunday, August 25, from 10am to 2pm.
The free event, part of Heritage Week, celebrates the Croagh Patrick Volunteer Ambassador Programme by offering participants the opportunity to become ‘mini ambassadors’ for the day.
Attendees will engage in a variety of activities, including interactive Leave No Trace training, guided storytelling hikes, and litter pick exercises, as well as interactive games and activities throughout with a chance to win exciting prizes.
Participants will learn from two accredited trainers and at least six volunteer ambassadors, gaining practical skills on how to plan and prepare for a family hike while practicing Leave No Trace principles.
The guided hike will include stops at significant points along the route, where local heritage and environmental stewardship will be highlighted.
With over 120,000 visitors annually, Croagh Patrick faces challenges, such as path erosion on privately owned land. This event aims to raise public awareness of these challenges and inspire a collective effort to protect and preserve the mountain.
The event is a fantastic way for families to connect with nature, learn about sustainable outdoor practices, and celebrate the heritage of Croagh Patrick. Registration is open now. To secure your spot or learn more, visit Leave No Trace Ireland’s event page.

Croagh Patrick Ambassador Programme
The Croagh Patrick Ambassador Programme is a collaboration between Leave No Trace Ireland, the Croagh Patrick Stakeholders Group, Mayo County Council, and Murrisk Development Association, with funding from The Heritage Council.
The aim of the programme is to drive public awareness of the importance of care and respect for our natural heritage, to empower positive behavioural change and develop skills around outdoor recreation so that locals and visitors can continue to enjoy and protect Croagh Patrick and its surrounds.
Through identifying the issues with local stakeholders, volunteer ambassadors have been recruited to engage with visitors to Croagh Patrick. These ambassadors have completed the the Leave No Trace Ambassador Training Programme, working with Mayo County Council. Their aim is to ensure that visitors to Crough Patrick appreciate the importance of preserving the mountain’s distinct natural, cultural and religious heritage through sustainable use.
The training programme also provided guidance on the most effective means for volunteers to engage with visitors to the mountain, whether local or visiting, on how to engage in responsible stewardship of Croagh Patrick.

• Click here to register for the event. To find out more, visit www.leavenotraceireland.org.