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