Platform sandals, designer boots, wellingtons and even pink slippers were the chosen footwear for some of the pilgrims who climbed… By Aine Ryan at Croagh Patrick Mon Jul 29 2002 - 01:00 ...

Ireland's 'holy mountain', which was climbed by bare-footed pilgrims for hundreds of years, is being destroyed by hikers, boots and 'gangs' of walkers. "If we don't do something about Croagh ...

It’s his 52nd year looking after Croagh Patrick.” As Many Reasons as Pilgrims “Anyone coming to the mountain to climb it knows that it’s a holy and sacred place,” said Father McDonnell.

St. Patrick is said to have spent 40 days at the summit of Croagh Patrick in Ireland in A.D. 441. Today, pilgrims still travel from around the world to climb the mountain.

Last Sunday was 'Reek Sunday' the day when pilgrims traditionally ascend Croagh Patrick to pray. GEMMA O'DOHERTY finds that penitence is booming in these boom times too.