Concerns over paths on Croagh Patrick ahead of Reek Sunday

Expert says mountain has “worst-damaged pathway in the UK and Ireland”

With over 30,000 pilgrims set to climb Ireland’s “Holy Mountain” on Sunday for the annual reek climb, concerns have been raised over lack of progress on repairing treacherous paths on Croagh Patrick in Co Mayo.

Scottish mountaineering expert Bob Aitken dubbed Croagh Patrick “the worst-damaged pathway in the UK and Ireland” at a seminar in Murrisk late last year.

Last December, a report, commissioned by Mountaineering Ireland, was the central reference point for the seminar. Carried out by Elfyn Jones of the British Mountaineering Council, it said the mountain, increasingly used by extreme-sports enthusiasts, needed a “large-scale intervention” estimated to cost €1 million.

Speaking ahead of Reek Sunday, which takes place on the last Sunday in July, Robert Hunt from Mayo Mountain Rescue stressed the urgency of remedial works, particularly along the steep conical area which is covered by loose shale.

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Rise in accidents

Mr Hunt said the number of accidents had increased this summer, which has been extremely busy on the 765m-high mountain.

Last Saturday, the Irish Coast Guard Rescue 118 helicopter had to airlift three casualties from the mountain in separate rescues.

A group of stakeholders – which includes Mayo County Council, Fáilte Ireland, church representatives and local residents – was established in recent years to assess and plan the future of the mountain. However, according to Mr Hunt, the group has not met recently.

He confirmed that last Saturday afternoon two women and a young man were airlifted to Mayo General Hospital after suffering leg and head injuries.