Mags GarganThe priest behind the decision to cancel the Reek Sunday pilgrimage for the first time in living memory, has said the unprecedented “treacherous” weather conditions put lives at risk.
Fr Charlie McDonnell, administrator of Westport parish, first got a call at 5.15am on Sunday morning from the custodian of the chapel on the summit advising him to cancel the annual pilgrimage up Croagh Patrick because of the gale force winds wiping the ancient site. “John Cummins has been custodian for 45 years and spent the night on the mountain,” Fr McDonnell told The Irish Catholic. “I never thought I would hear those words from him, but the temporary Perspex annex to the chapel had blown off and he said it was a treacherous climb.”
Following 1,500 uninterrupted years of pilgrimage a meeting between Fr McDonnell, Mayo Mountain Rescue, the Order of Malta, the Air Corps, Archbishop Michael Neary and local Garda, made the difficult decision to cancel the climb and transfer all Masses and Confessions to the nearby church in Lecanvey.
Rescued
Despite the cancellation, some 4,000 people ignored safety warnings and climbed the holy mountain through the dangerous weather. Twelve pilgrims had to be rescued and a three-year-old and a 14-year-old were among those treated for hypothermia.
“I was a bit taken aback on one level, but on another level not surprised that people climbed the mountain,” Fr McDonnell said. “A large number turned back. Some came to us afterwards and said they thought it was an overreaction, but when they reached the ridge they realised we were not messing.
“The mountain is a very dangerous climb at the best of times. Temperatures are 10 degrees less at the summit. As a priest I deal with tremendous tragedies and I did not want to be knocking on a door because someone had lost their life on the mountain.”