The summit has a small little coffee shop where you can grab a sandwich and enjoy the tremendous views of Clew Bay and the surrounding countryside. There’s also a little chapel where Mass is held each day, if you’d like a little religion with that sandwich.
If You Go
In all, it takes two to three hours to walk up, and at most two hours to walk down again. Go early, as during the middle of the day, the number of climbers means that everyone has to go at the same slow speed especially near the summit where the path is quite narrow. Also, bring a big stick to help keep you steady with slippery pebbles.
If you have serious penance to do, you could start your pilgrimage in the village of Murrisk, eight kilometers outside of Westport. If you start your walk here, be sure to stop at the Croagh Patrick Visitor Centre and the National Famine Monument, both worth a visit.
Wish You Were Here Too?
The town of Westport is approximately ninety-two kilometers from Galway City and 230 kilometers from Dublin City. The nearest airport is Knock International Airport, providing flights to and from Dublin. If you’re going to be in Ireland for a while, you can fly into Shannon Airport and take your time driving the 180 kilometers to Westport. Westport is a developed tourist town and there are many hotels, guesthouses, and bed and breakfasts to cater to you. There are also a number of B&Bs near Croagh Patrick, in the villages of Murrisk, Lecanvey, and Louisburgh—and trust me the proximity will be a blessing after the long walk!
Photo courtesy of author
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