| like snakes? If you do not, then Ireland is a good | | | | top of the mountain which is about 765m (2510ft) |
| place for you to visit. There are no snakes in | | | | high. This is indeed a good form of physical |
| Ireland. Why is it so? Read on. Croagh Patrick, | | | | exercise and a fine test of your cardio capability. |
| Ireland's holy mountain, is one of the best known | | | | Furthermore, when you reach the summit, you |
| landmarks in Mayo, Ireland. The mountain is | | | | will be able to enjoy sweeping views of the |
| named after the national saint, St Patrick. Looking | | | | surroundings and admire the splendid sceneries |
| at a distance from the bottom, the mountain | | | | there. Even at the foot of Croagh Patrick where |
| looks very much like the shape of a cone. | | | | the statue of the saint stands, you can enjoy |
| However, in actual fact, the summit is a flat plain. | | | | wonderful views from there. At the foot of the |
| The mountain has its holy origin due to pagan | | | | mountain, looking towards the north, you are able |
| worship from 3000 BC. St Patrick is said to have | | | | to view Clew Bay with its scattered islands. To |
| spent 40 days on the mountain fasting and | | | | the far south, if it is a clear day, you can see |
| praying for the Irish in AD 441. According to a | | | | wonderful views extending to the blue line of the |
| legend, all of Ireland's snakes leapt off the cliff to | | | | Perry Mountains. As the legend says, St Patrick |
| their deaths when he rang his bell at the edge of | | | | actually drove all the snakes into the sea which |
| a cliff. This explains why Ireland has no snakes. In | | | | explains why there are no snakes in Ireland. |
| July, penitents would make their way to the | | | | However, the fact that Ireland has no snakes |
| summit in the saint's honor especially on Garland | | | | could be due to some geographical reasons. |
| Friday and Reek Sunday. Most of them climb the | | | | Nobody really knows the reason to this |
| mountain barefooted. There is a tiny chapel at the | | | | mysterious fact. Nonetheless, Croagh Patrick is |
| summit where Reek Sunday mass is usually | | | | definitely an interesting place and worthwhile to |
| celebrated. It does not matter whether you are a | | | | visit. If you are keen to take a vacation trip and |
| penitent or a visitor, climbing up Croagh Patrick will | | | | like some adventure and excitement, you can |
| not fail to give you a wonderful experience. The | | | | consider choosing Croagh Patrick as your |
| trail up the mountain starts at Campbell's Pub in | | | | destination. Besides, if you do not like snakes at |
| Murrisk, where the statue of the St Patrick | | | | all, you would certainly not encounter one there! |
| stands. It takes about two hours to climb to the | | | | |