Thousands of pilgrims have gathered at Ireland’s ‘Holy Mountain’, Croagh Patrick, for a Reek Sunday sacred hike.

The annual event sees around 6000 people scale the 765 metres (2,520ft) of Croagh Patrick, just outside of Westport in the Archdiocese of Tuam. Some undertake the mission barefoot.

It began as a sacred tradition over 1600 years ago, with pilgrims praying, confessing, and receiving the Eucharist at the summit.

The pilgrimage’s theme for 2025 is ‘Christian Hope’. To celebrate the  Jubilee Year for the Catholic Church, ‘Pilgrim Passports’ have been introduced, in which a stamp can be received for each sacred site visited. Croagh Patrick, Lough Derg and Knock have been identified by the Irish Bishops as national pilgrimage sites. Once all three pilgrimage sites are visited, a pilgrim is eligible to receive a special commemorative Jubilee Year medal.

Archbishop Francis Duffy of Tuam led the climb, and delivered mass at the summit.