Wow thank you for your kind words Carol Ann! I'll pass them on to Ciaran 😊 He will be delighted to hear you enjoy our efforts. Great that you have those connections to your O'Sullivan roots and beautiful Co. Cork ☘💚
Croagh Patrick: Ireland's Holiest Mountain
Written by Ciaran on Jul 03, 2025 | 2 Comments
The Sunday on the last weekend of July is known as “Reek Sunday” in some parts of Ireland. This special celebration sees pilgrims climb Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holiest mountain.
Photo Credit: Allan James (CC BY-SA 2.0)
The Reek
“The Reek” as many call it, is spectacularly situated on the Wild Atlantic west coast of Ireland. Also known as Cruachán Aigle in Irish, Eagle or Stack Mountain to you and I, it's spectacular quartzite conical peak is steeped in mythology, ancient history, and spirituality.
Image of the perfect cone of Croagh Patrick from a three year long photography project called reek100 by David Smyth.
Photo Credit: © David Smyth Photography
Pagan Parties
Neolithic rock art at the base of the mountain seems to suggest that this was an important spot for people in Ireland for at least to 5,000 years! With dating of the numerous cup and ring marks on the spectacular Boheh stone, it seems the mountain was a pre-Christian pilgrimage site as far back as 3,800 BC!
Photo Credit: © Mayo Historical and Archaeological Society
St. Patrick and the Snakes
The mountain got the name many know today from Ireland's most famous Patron Saint, Patrick. The story goes that after spending 40 days and nights fasting at the mountain peak, St Patrick was set upon by demons and snakes. He promptly banished them from the island and Ireland has been a snake free zone ever since! Cheers Patrick!
Patrick would have had a spectacular view of Clew Bay to enjoy at least in is isolation on the mountain.
Photo Credit: Mariusz Z (CC BY-SA 2.0)
The only problem with this memorable story is that snakes were not here to begin with! So many see this tale as symbolic of St. Patrick spreading Catholicism in Ireland and perhaps a handy way of explaining just why there were no native snakes to be found!
Photo Credit: Tom Szustek (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ireland's Holiest Mountain
To mark the religious significance of this site, there has been a small church at Croagh Patrick's summit since the 5th century. Mass is celebrated at the most recent iteration of this church throughout the year. On Reek Sunday, there are special ceremonies every hour from 8am to 2pm.
Photo Credit: Paul McIlroy (CC BY-SA 2.0)
A mountain-top Irish Wedding
There is even the opportunity to get married there for those with an adventurous spirit. A handful of hardy couples have their wedding in this lofty spot each year including Filipe and Anna, who made the news in Ireland by saying "I Do"in the little church on the top of Croagh Patrick in 2016. Very impressive as it's a tough enough climb without a wedding gown!
Gold in that Hill!
But with close to 1 million pilgrims climbing each year, some are worried about preserving the mountain, in particular after gold was discovered there. Historic mining paths and sites dot the mountain that suggested some manner of mineral wealth and sure enough, a sizeable seam was discovered in the 1980s. It was estimated the Croagh Patrick's gold seam could be worth well in excess of €300 million - and probably a lot more these days with the price of gold! Thankfully public outcry and a band of dedicated locals quashed any plans to mine the mountain so this historically and spiritually significant picturesque peak is safe for now!
Your own piece of Irish Gold
And happier still, people can look elsewhere for their own piece of Irish Gold. Not from "The Reek," but from a mine farther inland in Co. Tyrone. Our Irish Gold pieces are made with 10K rare Irish rose gold, ethically mined with 100% Irish provenance.
We have a range of beautiful designs in our Irish Gold collection, with striking necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets, and cufflinks.
With designs inspired by the Irish landscape and Celtic mythology, they are very popular pieces that make beautiful and meaningful gifts.
Your Own Piece of Irish Gold
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Ciaran
My Irish Jeweler
Born in Co. Antrim and reared in Dublin, I was fascinated with Gaelic culture from an early age. I suppose it's not surprising given my mother inherited a grá for the Irish language from my grandfather, an Irish school headmaster. And that grá continues! My brother and sister are now Gaelic teachers here in Ireland, my niece is an award winning Irish dancer, and I proudly work to share Irish culture through our Irish and Celtic Jewelry at My Irish Jeweler!
I love researching and reading about the history of Irish design. It's at the core of what we do here at My Irish Jeweler. I find much of it so interesting that I have to share what I find. I hope you enjoy it!
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Ciaran
Good morning from the USA. You all are amazing and I am so very proud to be of Irish descent. My grandfather’s family was from County Cork he was an O’Sullivan, but they dropped the O when they came to the states, and my mother
in law’s family were Moynahan’s. Your jewelry and the stories behind them are amazing keep up the great work.
Sincerely
Carol Ann Sullivan Johnson