The Croagh Patrick experience was shared by approximately 20,000 people yesterday as pilgrims from all over Ireland and abroad participated in the 2,510 ft annual climb to the summit of the holy pilgrimage mountain.
Security and safety warnings issued to the public by the Order of Malta in the weeks previous to the event seemed to have been heeded and only minor injuries to 15 people were recorded.
Weather conditions, which varied between sunshine, sea breezes and scattered showers made for a difficult but interesting climb as pilgrims who sweated it out to complete the arduous ascent were kept cool by the heavy mountain mists.
TV crews from France and Ireland also braved their way to the top laden with heavy equipment, Masses were celebrated on the hour from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the summit chapel throughout the day and peace in Northern Ireland was the special intention for the second year in a row.
Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam also said the approach of the 50th anniversary of the UN Declaration on Human Rights (December 1948) provided an opportunity to "cast a cold eye" on the distribution of wealth in Ireland.
About 20 per cent of our people were failing to benefit from our expanding wealth, he said, and much of this was due to social injustice. He asked whether as a people we were "now losing our edge for justice as we become more absorbed in materialism and become members of wealthy Western states"?
Dr Neary also expressed the hope that the commercialisation of the Sabbath day would cease in Ireland and said he was very concerned that the custom of Sunday as a rest day was fast being lost.
This message was however lost on the numerous pedlars of wares and souvenirs who have become a regular feature on "Reek Sunday". Hastily erected stalls at the foot of the mountain were charging £1 for soft drinks which had increased to £1.50 each at the top of the Reek.
A brisk trade in walking sticks also prevailed with prices ranging between 50p and £1 for a stick (£1 down on last year).
Petitions for the Jubilee 2000 Campaign which is seeking to acquire 500,000 signatures to persuade world powers to cancel third world debt were also in evidence.
Last year between 25,000-30,000 took part in the climb.