Nearly 4,000 pilgrims take part on busy Reek Sunday in Mayo

TWO pilgrims were evacuated by Air Corp Helicopter from Croagh Patrick on Reek Sunday.

They were among ten incidents that the Mayo Mountain Rescue (MMR) responded to. Of these, two were stretchered off the mountain and six walked off with assistance.

MMR had 65 MR personnel working in two shifts, starting at 6am and finishing around 5pm.

However as Mayo Mountain Rescue were packing up, they got a callout from National Ambulance Control to assist a woman who had fallen on the track about 30 minutes from the car park and was unable to continue walking. She had damaged her ankle and was being attended to by Order of Malta members.

The first response team, who were making their way back to base, on the other side of the mountain, were diverted to her location. They provided the necessary emergency care while awaiting the arrival of our stretcher party, who transported the woman to a waiting ambulance in Murrisk for further assessment and treatment. MMRT was stood down at 8pm.

It is estimated that between 3,500 and 4,000 climbers took part in the pilgrimage. This continues an annual trend in declining numbers. Part of this is explained by more people climbing the Holy Mountain throughout the year and not just on Reek Sunday.

There was a surge in the morning as pilgrims wanted to be back in time to watch the All-Ireland Final. The green and gold were represented on the Holy Mountain with jerseys and flags on display.

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Lucky fan

FR John Kenny met one lucky Donegal fan, who had a ticket and was heading directly to Croke Park after completing his pilgrimage. Fr Kenny remarked: “I don't think he came home too happy from that.”

Archbishop Francis Duffy of Tuam met pilgrims on Saturday evening and on Sunday morning, before making a second pilgrimage himself to Knock. There was a full team of priests to help with Mass services, which were on the hour.

Rev Canon Alex Morahan led the first ecumenical service associated with Reek Sunday at 10.30am.

At the statue at the foot of the Reek, the Church of Ireland Anglican Bishop Michael Burrows led a service at 2.30pm on the day.

Mayo Mountain Rescue were very grateful for the support from Dublin-Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team, Kerry Mountain Rescue Team, Galway MRT, Sligo Leitrim Mountain Rescue Team, South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association, and the Irish Cave Rescue Organisation-ICRO.

The also wished to thank Dr Scott Walkin, Paramedics Joe O'Gorman and Ben Battle, as well as the The Irish Air Corps Heli crew and ground man.

The Order of Malta Ireland - Westport unit, wished to thank the Dublin Civil Defence volunteers who came from all over the country to help.