Short film to be screened commemorating Croagh Patrick traders

A short film telling the tales of families who sold goods on Croagh Patrick is to be screened at the foot of Mayo’s holy mountain. 

Traders On The Reek, a year-long collaboration project between Louisburgh-Killeen Heritage & Louisburgh Area Men’s Shed, documents the story of the families who traded on Croagh Patrick. 

Even before the church on the summit was built in 1905, several local families set up tents and stalls along the mountain to sell refreshments to pilgrims. 

However due to the massive changes in society like the availability of refreshments in every shop, the accessibility of climbing Croagh Patrick at any time of the year, changes in religious practices of fasting during pilgrimage, and many other factors, there was less need for the traders at the summit.

The last family to host a tent were the Needhams, who last traded on the mountain in 2019.

This Friday, July 26, all are invited to celebrate the Traders on the Reek with 10 am Mass on Summit Croagh Patrick, 7.30 pm Mass in Murrisk car park. 

At 8.30 pm, Lecanvey Community Centre will host a special screening of the short film telling the traders' stories alongside an art exhibition from the pupils from local national schools. Refreshments and entertainment will also be provided. 

The short film will again be screened on Saturday, August 17, in Louisburgh Town Hall at 8 pm.

This is a joint project by Louisburgh-Killeen Heritage & Louisburgh Area Men’s Shed supported by the National Museum of Ireland, The Heritage Council, Irish Community Archive Network iCAN, County Mayo Heritage Officer, and the communities of Killeen, Clare Island, Inishturk, Louisburgh, Lecanvey, Murrisk, Drummin and Westport.