TIBETANS, Burmese and Irish supporters of Tibet's call for independence are due to take a "freedom torch" up Croagh Patrick in Co Mayo today.
The ascent is a protest at China's decision to carry the Beijing Olympics torch up Mount Everest, say the Tibet Support Group.
Weather permitting, the Olympic torch is to be carried up the 29,028 foot (8,840m) Himalayan peak early this month, amid tight security, before being taken to the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, on June 19th.
A symbolic torch will be lit this afternoon at the foot of Croagh Patrick at Murrisk. There will also be a 48-hour fast, and a series of readings, said Anthony O'Brien of the Mayo branch of the Tibet Support Group.
Two parish priests, Fr Denis Carney of Westport and Fr Matthew Long of Louisburgh, and Church of Ireland Canon Gary Hastings have promised to participate in the event at John Behan's famine ship sculpture at Murrisk. They will be joined by Panchen Otrul Rinpoche, spiritual director of the Jampa Ling Tibetan Buddhist Centre in Co Cavan.
Some 20 Tibetans and 25 members of the Karen people from Burma who are now living in Mayo are expected to attend. Mr O'Brien said the names of 60 Tibetans killed by Chinese authorities since March 14th will be read out at Murrisk.
"The symbolic use of the torch is to mark our objection to China sending the Olympic flame up Everest, known as the holy mountain of Chomolungma in Tibet," said Mr O'Brien.
"Routes up Everest from Tibet have been closed in advance of the torch ascent, and Chinese military have been searching mountaineers on the Nepalese side of the mountain," he said.