Tag: pilgrimage

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Duras – 1918

Posted on by The Burren and Beyond

Connacht Tribune 10th August, 1918 p.2

Duras
Duras Photo: BO’D

Large numbers from various districts in Galway and Clare journeyed to Kinvara on Saturday and Sunday to participate in the annual pilgrimage to St. Kieran’s Bed. at Fraugh Kieran, Duras, Kinvara.  St. Kieran’s Bed is charmingly situated close beside the silvery strand at Duras, and commands a splendid view of Galway Bay as far as the Aran Island, with the lofty Burren mountains away in the background. Hundreds of people remained all through Saturday night to do their stations on Sunday and every mode of conveyance from the old Irish jaunting car to the more modern bicycle brought its quota on Sunday. “It is a pity,” our correspondent writes, “that some local Committee would not take charge of the arrangements every year, and see that the religious side of the pilgrimage is strictly observed as its inception dates back centuries.

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Croagh Patrick – 1914

Posted on by The Burren and Beyond
Croagh Patrick Photo: Bart Horeman Wikimedia Commons
Croagh Patrick
Photo: Bart Horeman
Wikimedia Commons

CROAGH PATRICK.

Freeman’s Journal – 10th September 1914

THE GREAT ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE. OVER 15,000 PEOPLE ATTEND. (abridged)

The Croagh Patrick pilgrimage was once again convincing proof of the abiding homage of the Irish people for their National Apostle. From near and far, from every county in Ireland, and from Australia, America, South Africa and Great Britain, pious pilgrims assembled at the Holy Mountain to pay tribute of faith and devotion at St. Patrick’s venerated shrine. It is estimated that over 15,000 people ascended ‘The Reek,’ where some thirty priests celebrated the Votive Masses of the saint from seven until noon. Nearly 7000 passengers from Cork, Limerick, and the Connaught and Midland districts poured into the town from the ten special excursion trains run yesterday morning.

On Saturday three special trains brought big contingents from Dublin and intermediate stations.  Hundreds of pilgrims kept vigil on the mountain all night, undeterred by cold, blustering showers, and the bleak, shelterless mountainside. By the first faint light of dawn the thronging thousands began to wend their way to the Holy Hill. Throughout the morning an unending stream of vehicles covered the road from Westport to Murrick, the starting point of the climb. Along the roads trudged thousands more. It was certainly an inspiring and a deeply affecting spectacle. The climb is a most arduous one of some three miles, with scarcely a level foothold the whole way, but no one seemed any the worse for the journey.