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The Journal
a day ago
- General
- The Journal
Pilgrimage organisers seek priests willing to climb a mountain to hear confessions
THERE HAS BEEN a callout for priests to help minister sacraments at the top of Croagh Patrick for Reek Sunday – as the Church has been forced to halve the number of its services as a result of a diminished and ageing clergy. Reek Sunday, also known as Garland Sunday, is celebrated annually on the last Sunday of July. The pilgrimage sees thousands scale Mayo's Croagh Patrick – some barefoot – to celebrate St Patrick. Masses are held at the summit and the Eucharist and confessions are ministered by priests each hour from morning until late afternoon. However, an ageing clergy has created difficulty in sourcing enough priests able to climb the mountain to attend to the thousands that turn out for the pilgrimage. Administrator of Westport parish, Father John Kenny, has invited priests who have the capacity to make the journey to join him among other clergymen on Croagh Patrick on 27 June. The number of priests who have attended Reek Sunday has ranged between eight and up to 15 or 20 in recent years, Fr Kenny told The Journal . Masses on the mountain used to be held every half hour as pilgrims reached the summit at their own pace, but a shortage of priests has forced the masses to be halved, and they are now held hourly from 8am to 2pm on the day. Advertisement Fr Kenny said that it is doubtful there will be enough priests available for Reek Sunday again to return to the original schedule. The weekends are priests' busiest times and it is difficult to find the numbers. 'What happens sometimes is some of the priests that aren't able to climb the mountain anymore would cover for somebody who would be able to climb,' Fr Kenny said, 'and we're always happy that happens. So a retired priest might volunteer to cover for another priest, and by that we've given him the freedom to be to be able to go up the mountain.' Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Each year, between 5,000 and 10,000 people will turn out for the day. The crowds depend on the weather and whether there's a clash with an All-Ireland final, he said. Fr Kenny is hoping for a few priests to get in touch with his parish of Westport in the Archdiocese of Tuam if they are available for the day. However, there is a large amount of support for the religious affairs on Croagh Patrick with laypeople and Eucharistic Ministers supporting the clergy. Of the falling number of priests, Fr Kenny said that it is certainly a 'dramatic' change but there is simultaneously a surge in lay activity and involvement – something he says appears to be the imminent future of the Catholic Church in Ireland. The role of a priest seems to be slightly less appealing to younger people, he thinks, as 'we're living in a society for a good few years now where a long term commitment is something hard to give'. 'I suppose a lifelong vocation is maybe not going to be a feature of the future to the extent it was now, or has been in the past.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Irish Independent
Looking for some activities to do this summer in Mayo? – why not check out this 18th century estate with free outdoor events
The Museum is encouraging people across the region to discover the National Museum on their doorstep this summer through exhibitions, demonstrations and talks across a diverse range of topics - from 20th century lawn sports to folklife traditions and customs. The National Museum at Turlough Park is located on a historic 18th century estate and features modern, award-winning galleries, a courtyard café, a woodland playground and 30 acres of biodiverse gardens and parkland. Here are seven top activities and events for July and August. Find further details on all upcoming events and exhibitions at Boules on the Lawn Learn about the sport of pétanque – also known as outdoor boules - with the members of Castlebar Pétanque Club from 10am to 1pm on Saturday, 19 July. See a demonstration of this lively and strategic sport – which originated in the early 20th century in France. Then have a go yourself! Admission is free and no booking is required. Traders on the Reek Ahead of Reek Sunday at the end of the month, explore an interesting part of the history of this well-known annual pilgrimage date. Come along at 2.30pm on Saturday, 19 July for a special screening of 'Traders on the Reek'. This documentary tells the story of families who have fed and watered many thousands of pilgrims on Croagh Patrick down through the generations. There will also be talks and contributions on the day from some of the families featured in the film. Admission is free. Booking is required. Email BookingsCountryLife@ or telephone +353 94 90 31751. Woodland Explorer Young visitors are invited to explore biodiversity and engage in some mindful nature watching through the free Woodland Explorer activity booklet, available from Museum Reception. The grounds of Turlough Park are home to lots of different habitats with woodland, gardens, lake and river areas. Learn more and use your keen senses and skills to complete a series of fun nature challenges to finish this self-guided trail! Orienteering Did you know you can give orienteering a try in the grounds of Turlough Park? Go to Museum Reception to pick up a map of the newly developed orienteering routes. There are five maps to choose from. Then download the app to enjoy a fun, family friendly orienteering activity through 30-acres of gardens, woodland and parkland. Free guided tours Discover objects and stories that are both familiar and surprising from the National Folklife Collection at Turlough Park. Join a free guided tour to learn about life in the Irish countryside from the 1850s to 1950s, exploring fascinating traditions, customs and skills. Then hear more about the Fitzgerald family and the history and architectural style of Turlough Park House and Gardens. Free public tours take place at 2pm and 3.30pm each Saturday throughout the summer months. No booking required. Places allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Heritage Week The Museum will once again be participating in National Heritage Week, with a programme of free events celebrating Ireland's cultural, built and natural heritage between 16 and 24 August. One of this year's highlight events is a traditional skills demonstration featuring the well-known woodworker and influencer Eoin Reardon and skilled basketmaker Tom Delaney of 'Ould Crafty'. This event takes place on Sunday, 24 August. Be sure to follow the National Museum on social media for further details as they are announced. SWARM Pencil in a stop at the Courtyard Gallery during your visit to see a vibrant children's art installation inspired by Ireland's bee species. Combining colour, movement and shadow, SWARM was created by school children across counties Mayo, Sligo and Galway, working with artist Cas McCarthy. The project took place in association with the popular exhibition The Murmur of Bees, which remains on display this summer in the exhibition galleries. ADVERTISEMENT The National Museum in Turlough Park, Co. Mayo is located within a historic 18th century estate and features Ireland's National Folklife Collection. Objects, archive film and photography present a tapestry of daily life from the 1850s to the 1950s. From country and village to town and city, these stories of the everyday are both familiar and surprising. The visitor experience includes 30-acres of gardens and parkland, scenic walkways along the river and lake, a woodland playground, the Greenway cycling route, the courtyard café and a book and craft shop. Everyone is welcome and admission is free
