The mountain is 764 m (2,507 ft), about 8 km (5 miles) west of Westport, County Mayo, and the climb from Murrisk takes a fit walker 2 to 3.5 hours round trip; the page on how difficult the climb is describes the scree cone and the stone path. On Reek Sunday tens of thousands climb, some barefoot, from before dawn, and the Archdiocese of Tuam, Mayo Mountain Rescue, the Order of Malta and the Gardaí staff the route. Mass is also said in the summit chapel, dedicated in 1905, on August 15.
The bishops' conference advice for 2026 was practical: waterproof clothing, sturdy footwear, water, staying on the path, no dogs, and reading mountaineering.ie and mayomountainrescue.ie first. Tradition holds that St. Patrick fasted 40 days on the summit in 441, and pilgrims make the rounding prayers, walking sunwise around the stations on the mountain. The 2026 weekend ran July 24 to 26, and the parish asked for a special intention for road safety.
To prepare: train on hills for a few weeks, carry a stick, start early to reach the summit for a Mass, and allow for weather that changes at the top. A pilgrim who cannot climb can attend the Westport vigil Mass and visit the Murrisk base, where the National Famine Monument and Murrisk Abbey stand. Check westportparish.ie in June 2027 for that year's Mass times and the Archbishop's arrangements; Tuam archdiocese can be reached at 093 24166.