Croagh Patrick from Old Head Beach | The Reek Fine Art Prints – Wild Atlantic Way

Croagh Patrick from Old Head Beach – Classic Views of The Reek

A beautiful collection of fine-art photographs showing Croagh Patrick (The Reek) rising above Clew Bay, captured from the golden sands and rocky shoreline of Old Head Beach near Louisburgh. These images reveal the holy mountain in different lights and moods — clear blue skies, soft evening glow, and dramatic Atlantic cloud — while the beach itself adds foreground interest with sand, seaweed and tidal patterns.

Old Head Beach is one of the finest viewpoints on the Wild Atlantic Way for photographing Croagh Patrick. From here the classic pyramid shape of The Reek stands clear against the sky, with the waters of Clew Bay stretching between the camera and the mountain. Many visitors stop at Old Head on their way to or from the climb, making these views especially meaningful for pilgrims and walkers.

For over 1,500 years people have been drawn to climb Croagh Patrick. On Reek Sunday (the last Sunday in July) tens of thousands make the ascent — many barefoot — following the footsteps of St. Patrick, who is said to have fasted for 40 days on the summit in 441 AD. These photographs capture the mountain as it appears to those approaching from the coast: powerful, distant, and full of presence.

Whether you have climbed The Reek, plan to climb it, or simply love the landscapes of the Wild Atlantic Way, this collection brings the spirit of Croagh Patrick and Old Head Beach into your home.

Reek Sunday (Irish: Domhnach na Cruaiche), also called Garland Sunday or Crom Dubh Sunday, is the main annual pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick (The Reek) in County Mayo. It takes place every year on the last Sunday of July.

Key Facts

Date: Always the last Sunday in July

Location: Croagh Patrick (764 m / 2,507 ft), near Murrisk / Louisburgh

Numbers: Typically 20,000–30,000+ people climb on the day itself. The mountain sees well over 100,000 visitors across the year.

Duration of climb: 2–3.5 hours up for most people, similar time down (steep and rocky in places)

Main Traditions & Practices

1. The Climb

Most people start from the car park / visitor area at Murrisk.

The path is well-worn but becomes steeper and more rocky (loose quartzite scree) on the final cone.

Many still climb barefoot as an act of penance and sacrifice, though this is less common than in the past and is now sometimes discouraged for safety reasons.

2. Stations / Rounding Rituals

Traditional pilgrims perform “rounding” (walking sunwise / clockwise while praying) at specific points:

Leacht Benáin (St Benan’s cairn) – 7 circuits

Summit perimeter – 15 circuits

Leaba Phádraig (St Patrick’s Bed) – 7 circuits

Reilig Mhuire (Our Lady’s Cemetery – three ancient cairns) – 7 circuits

These rituals are an ancient practice that combines Christian prayer with pre-Christian patterns.

3. Summit Activities

A small chapel (built 1905) stands on the summit.

Masses are celebrated throughout the day.

Confession is often available.

Many people simply sit, pray, or take in the extraordinary views over Clew Bay and the 365 islands.

4. Spiritual & Personal Motivations

People climb for a wide range of reasons:

Traditional penance

Prayer for special intentions

In memory of deceased relatives

Thanksgiving

Personal challenge or connection to Irish heritage

Simply to experience one of Ireland’s great living traditions

Historical Background

Linked to St Patrick, who is said to have fasted for 40 days on the summit in 441 AD.

The pilgrimage almost certainly has much older roots in the Celtic festival of Lughnasadh (harvest festival).

Earliest written record of a pilgrimage on the mountain dates to 1113 AD.

Until around 1970 it was traditional for some groups to climb overnight and be on the summit at dawn.

Practical Notes for Visitors

The day is extremely busy — expect crowds, especially on the upper slopes.

Weather can change rapidly; good footwear, waterproofs, and water are essential.

Mountain rescue, Order of Malta, and volunteers are present in large numbers.

Many people combine the climb with a visit to the National Famine Memorial (Coffin Ship) at the base in Murrisk.

Explore More Wild Atlantic Way Prints

Return to the full collection for more landscapes from Louisburgh, Silver Strand, Croagh Patrick, and Clare Island.