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 13, 2026 | 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, also known as Patrick's Peak.
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 and is also known as Cruachán Aigle in Irish: Eagle or Stack Mountain to you and me. This spectacular quartzite conical peak is steeped in mythology, ancient history, and spirituality as reflected in the many names by which it is known.
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 has been an important spot for people in Ireland for at least 5,000 years! Dating of the numerous and intricate carvings on the spectacular Boheh stone suggests the mountain was a pre-Christian pilgrimage site as far back as 3,800 BC! That's older than Newgrange, the Pyramids of Giza, and Stonehenge!
Photo Credit: © Mayo Historical and Archaeological Society
It is at this ancient and heavily decorated stone that the setting sun can be seen to set directly on the conical peak and then dramatically "roll" down the northern side of Croagh Patrick over a period of 20 mins or so each April and August. A spectacular astronomical site to be sure, and one that perhaps was an important solar "calendar" of sorts for the people that so painstakingly carved the ancient Boheh stone. Perhaps the first Irish "rock and roll?" (Sorry, I couldn't help myself.)
Amazingly, this ancient astronomical alignment was only recognised in the late 20th century, with the stone known as 'St Patrick's Chair' for many centuries before.
St. Patrick and the Snakes
It is not just the Boheh stone that is associated with Ireland's most famous patron saint - the mountain itself is associated with Patrick, too. The story goes that after spending 40 days and nights fasting at the mountain peak, St. Patrick was set upon by demons and snakes. After a bit of a scuffle, he bravely banished them all from the island. 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 his 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 instead, many see this tale as symbolic of St. Patrick spreading Catholicism in Ireland, banishing pagan gods and practices, and perhaps a handy way to explain why there were no native Irish 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 chapel at the summit of Croagh Patrick since the 5th century! Mass is celebrated at this difficult to access site throughout the year and on Reek Sunday, there are special ceremonies every hour on the hour from 8am to 2pm.
The mountain top chapel is known as St. Patrick's Oratory.
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 chapel 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, and many thousands on Reek Sunday alone, some are worried about preserving the mountain, in particular after gold was discovered there. Historic mining paths and sites dot the mountain that suggest some manner of mineral wealth.
Sure enough, a sizeable gold seam was discovered there in the 1980s. It was estimated that 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 genuine Irish gold. Not from "The Reek," but from a mine farther inland in Co. Tyrone. Our Irish Gold pieces are made with rare 10K 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 Irish 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 Irish teachers, 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!
Comments
Ask Gemma
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