The annual pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick attracted more than 25,000 people yesterday, most of whom scaled the 2,510ft mountain in fine weather.
A remarkable aspect of this year's climb, which draws participants from all over the world to the Co Mayo village of Murrisk, was the absence of casualties.
According to Mr Martin McNally, of Westport Order of Malta, first-aid teams passed the time in the same way as everybody else, by climbing up and down the cone-shaped mountain.
"We had just one person with a cut on the side of his head, who came to the back of the ambulance to be treated. He then walked away," Mr McNally said. "I've been here since 5 a.m. and there hasn't been a single drop of rain all day. Because it's so dry, there is great grip underfoot, and people are taking the time to enjoy the beautiful scenery, as you can see as far as Connemara with today's weather."
Pilgrims agreed that the going over the average three-hour climb was much easier this year than on previous occasions.
A member of the Travelling community, which always turns out in great numbers for the annual pilgrimage, was already planning her second ascent of Croagh Patrick by lunchtime yesterday.
Another participant, Mrs Kathleen Sheridan, a mother of five from Limerick, said she had had to turn back when near the top, but would ascend again. "I had to turn back because my three girls were tired, so I'm going to drop them down to their father and go back up again. I don't find it hard to keep going, because it's like someone is making me get up there. I think it's very good for the soul," she said.
A bare-footed woman, Ms Philomena Dempsey, originally from Galway but now living in Essex, began her ascent at 3.45 a.m. yesterday and finally reached the bottom again at 1.30 p.m. "I thought I would make it down by 11 a.m., but it takes a lot longer in your bare feet," she said. "Your feet get very tender, but it is penitential, after all, and you get over it very quickly."
Mr Martin Nyland (75), a bachelor farmer from Swinford, Co Mayo, marked his 50th year as a participant in the annual pilgrimage yesterday. "I started in 1948 and only missed one year up to today," he said. "I always do it in my wellingtons, because there's a great grip in them. I'm very happy with how it went today. I was up in 11/2 hours and I'm down in 11/2 hours as well. I wouldn't mind turning around and going back up again."
The large turnout of young people throughout the day was welcomed by many seasoned pilgrims, who were pleased to see the old traditions being kept alive.
The Archbishop of Tuam, Dr Michael Neary, who delivered a homily on the importance of remembering to give thanks during the current economic boom, said that the turnout showed that young people had as much to offer now as in previous generations.
He had his own reasons for giving thanks. "I had four newly-ordained priests concelebrating Masses today," he said. "I thank God for these four vocations and hope there will be many more."