1959 • Inspiring scenes of devotion on the Reek
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The Mayo News on the 1st of August 1959 reported
OVER 60,000 people climbed Croagh Patrick on the occasion of the annual pilgrimage on Sunday. Of that number almost 10,000 received Holy Communion in and around the mist-shrouded Oratory on the summit. From 4am until noon, Masses - several at a time were being celebrated by upwards of 60 priests. Many in the vast throng made the climb in their bare feet, and groups joined in reciting the Rosary aloud on the upward journey. Pilgrims had mixed luck with the weather. After one of the most beautiful days of the year, rain fell in a deluge shortly after midnight, and for 90 minutes drenched the thousands strung out among the mountain slopes or clustered on the peak around the rocks.
Traffic, while heavy, was kept on the move by a strong force of Gardaí, and CIE geared their arrangements so neatly that pilgrims hardly had time to have a 'look around' the place.
The sudden rains added to the difficult work of the Order of Malta whose 150 members attended to 15 accident cases, six of which necessitated hospital attention.
During the morning, His Grace the Archbishop of Tuam, Most Rev Dr J Walsh welcomed the pilgrims, as did the Administrator Very Rev Fr Thomas Cummins. On the mountain-top, pilgrims were received by Fr T Cruise, CC, Lecanvey. Local stewards, under the supervision of Mr Austin Gannon, again did admirable work on the mountain in lessening the strain on pilgrims during the various ceremonies.
The Order of Malta units were in the charge of Dr Des Moran, Medical Officer, Westport, and Dr Betty O'Malley, Westport. Adjt William Lyons, Westport, was in charge of organisation.
The following injured during the pilgrimage were taken to Castlebar Hospital: Mrs Mary Higgins, Cloon- curry, Knock (leg fracture); Mr Anthony Derrig, Moyhastin, Westport, and Peter Walsh, Clogher, Westport, who were injured when their motor- cycle crashed on the way to West- port; Andrew Carr, 14 Malmount Square, Drogheda, who collapsed on the mountain; R Sweeney, Pollagh, Keel (shoulder injury); Garda John Moran, Cong, involved in a collision with a car while on duty at Murrisk. Among those who made the climb were 10-year-old Ann Gavin, Fr Angelus Park, Westport; 13-year-old Patsy Hanley, Bushfield, Charlestown; [and] 12-year-old Patrick Fitzpatrick, Garryedmond, Claremorris...
Speaking in St Mary's, Westport, His Grace, Most Rev Dr Walsh, Arch- bishop of Tuam, welcomed the pilgrims and asked them not to forget the persecuted faithful behind the Iron Curtain.
August 1, 1959
see as well from RTE archives:
"With Croagh Patrick shrouded in mist, 60,000 people, some barefoot climb the mountain.
Croagh Patrick known locally as the Reek is 2,510 feet high, almost 3 miles from base to peak, and takes 3 hours to climb. It is believed that the mountain was the site of a pagan pilgrimage before it became associated with St Patrick who it is said fasted on the summit for forty days.
Thousands climb Croagh Patrick every year on the last Sunday in July which is known as Reek Sunday. Many complete the pilgrimage in their bare feet.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 25 July 1965. The footage shown here is mute."
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