‘The Impact of Increased Recreational Activity on Croagh Patrick’

Research Project by:Liam Loftus

December 2011

1 | P a g e

Abstract

This research project was carried out to investigate the impact of increased recreational activity on

Croagh Patrick. Research focused on the extent of the physical impact on the trail and the need for a

management strategy to address in response to this.

In carrying out this research, a review of the literature was undertaken in order to define some of the

key issues surrounding Croagh Patrick, and this was followed by a series of interviews designed to

explore these issues further. A Senior Archaeologist for the Mayo County Council, as well as

representatives from the Mayo Civil Defence, the Murrisk Development Association and the Mayo

Mountain Rescue Team were interviewed for the purpose of this study. Data was gathered from

Mayo Civil Defence, Mayo Mountain Rescue and Mayo County Council to support this research.

The study found that increased in recreational activity on Croagh Patrick is having an adverse

impact on the trail and that management is urgently needed to address this issue. However, research

also shows that management on Croagh Patrick is complicated by issues of ownership and

responsibility. The research paper concludes that a consistent management plan is needed to

adequately address the adverse impact of increased recreational activity on Croagh Patrick.

2 | P a g e

Table of Contents

Abstract................................................................................................................................................2

Table of Contents.................................................................................................................................3

Chapter One – Introduction..............................................................................................................4

Chapter Two – Literature Review....................................................................................................52.0 Introduction............................................................................................................................52.1 The Historical Significance of Croagh Patrick.......................................................................52.2 The Increase in Recreational Activity....................................................................................72.3 The Adverse Environmental Impact.......................................................................................82.4 Protection and Legislation Issues...........................................................................................92.5 Management Issues..............................................................................................................102.6 Conclusion............................................................................................................................12

Chapter Three – Research Methodology.......................................................................................123.0 Introduction..........................................................................................................................123.1 Research Method..................................................................................................................133.2 Constraints............................................................................................................................14

Chapter Four – Findings and Analysis...........................................................................................154.0 Introduction..........................................................................................................................154.1 The Findings of the Research...............................................................................................164.2 Increased Recreational Activity on Croagh Patrick.............................................................164.3 Responses to the Degradation of the Site.............................................................................184.4 Management Issues relating to Croagh Patrick....................................................................194.5 Potential Solutions to the Problem.......................................................................................204.6 Interview Results..................................................................................................................20

Chapter Five – Conclusion..............................................................................................................21

Reference List.....................................................................................................................................22

Bibliography.......................................................................................................................................24

Appendices.........................................................................................................................................28

3 | P a g e

4 | P a g e

Chapter One – Introduction

In this research project I will examine the impact of recreational activity on Croagh Patrick.

Although the mountain has been the focal point for human activity since prehistoric times, I wish to

show that a recent increase in recreational activity is having an adverse impact on the mountain

trail. Through my research I also aim to identify whether any management strategy is in place to

preserve the integrity of the site. It is necessary to compile and collate all the data related to my

research project in order to get a better understanding of the issue.

I chose Croagh Patrick for my research project because it is an important archaeological site which

in recent years has seen a significant increase in outdoor activities. This appears to be having an

adverse effect on the condition of the trail. Organised events like Gaelforce West and Sea2Summit

have seen huge numbers of people climbing Croagh Patrick and the mountainside has begun to

visibly deteriorate as walkers stray from the original path. At present, very little action has been

taken to address this issue. However, as more and more people are visiting the site, the future

preservation of Croagh Patrick is becoming an increasing concern.

5 | P a g e

Chapter Two – Literature Review

2.0 Introduction

The purpose of this research is to determine the impact of recreational activity on Croagh Patrick

and examine what management strategy is in place to address this. My research focuses specifically

on the physical impact that increased recreational activity is having on the mountain trail surface

from Murrisk car park to the summit, specifically activities like hill-walking and outdoor adventure

sports, as well as organised events like Gaelforce West and Sea2Summit.

In order to carry out my research, it will be necessary to get a better understanding of the recent

increase in recreational activity on Croagh Patrick and immediate concerns relating to the condition

of the site. In order to fully assess the impact of recreational activity on the mountain trail it will

also be necessary to get an understanding of the archaeological significance of Croagh Patrick. A

better understanding is also needed, for any management issues relating to the mountain. This

involves further investigation into the legislation in place for the protection of the architectural

heritage on the site, as well as issues relating to the management of upland environments.

2.1 The Historical Significance of Croagh Patrick

The summit of Croagh Patrick has been the focal point for ritual and pilgrimage in the landscape of

Co. Mayo since prehistoric times. According to Hughes (2005), the “mountain has had a continuing

ritual and social significance since at least the late Neolithic” (p.48) and with the arrival of

Christianity to Ireland the mountain continued to be the focus of an extensive ritual complex.

Archaeological evidence suggests that Croagh Patrick has had a long and complex history as a ritual

centre for local worship. For Cooney, Condit & Byrnes (1999) archaeological landscapes like

Croagh Patrick “enable us to look at the pattern of human settlement in the landscape and to trace

6 | P a g e

the pattern of social changes in ways that are just not possible from individual monuments or sites”

(p.64). The recent archaeological work which has been carried out on the mountain indicates the

importance of Croagh Patrick as an archaeological site.

Between 1996 and 1998, an extensive survey was carried out on the mountain by the Croagh

Patrick Archaeological Committee and the results were published by Leo Morahan. Morahan

(2001) stated that archaeological excavations, carried out under the direction of Gerry Walsh on the

summit of the mountain in 1994 and 1995, “uncovered the walls of an Early Christian oratory and

remains of a dry-stone rampart wall which enclosed the summit of the Reek” (p.9). The Sites and

Monuments Record lists Teampall Phádraig, Leaba Phádraig and a Bronze-Age Enclosure as

monuments of archaeological importance on the summit, while The Heritage Council database

provides a record of the Glaspatrick excavations from 1994 and 1995.1 These records indicate the

importance of Croagh Patrick as an archaeological site.

1 Significant Unpublished Irish Archaeological Excavations 1930-1997 by The Heritage Council, accessed November 2011, from http://heritagecouncil.ie/unpublished_excavations/section12.html

7 | P a g e

2.2 The Increase in Recreational Activity

With the recent increase in recreational activity on Croagh Patrick there is growing concern about

the future preservation of the site. Bergin & O’Rathaille (1999) say that activities like hill-walking

and mountaineering have “been growing steadily in Ireland over the past number of years” (p.39)

and newspaper articles reflect a growing concern that these activities are impacting directly on the

integrity of Croagh Patrick. In ‘The commercialisation of Croagh Patrick criticised’, The Mayo

News explores the perception that Croagh Patrick is increasingly becoming a venue for organised

events and challenges. The article voices local concern for the sheer number of visitors to the

mountain and the impact that that is having on the trail surface.

Newspapers also indicate the noticeable increase in visitors to Croagh Patrick in recent years. The

Civil Defence carried out a detailed survey on Croagh Patrick in 2006. Approximately 20,000–

30,000 pilgrims participated on Reek Sunday and an annual climbing total of more than 100,000

was estimated for that year.2 In 1999 RTE News published an article stating that 25,000 pilgrims

took part in the climb in that year and that over 30,000 climbed Croagh Patrick on Reek Sunday

2007.3 The Irish Independent claimed that only 18,000 pilgrims climbed the mountain on Reek

Sunday 2009 unlike the previous year when in excess of 25,000 took part in the pilgrimage.4

Unfortunately, no figures were published for the number of recreational users that access Croagh

Patrick on annual basis. These figures are important because the annual traffic on the mountain

makes a significant contribution to the deterioration of the trail.

In Globally Irish (May 2011), a representative for the Westport Mountaineering Organization

claimed that ‘challenge races where you have a large number of people tearing up and down the

2 In 2006 The Civil Defence carried a detailed survey on the number of climbers on the Reek which was published on RTE News, online, retrieved November 2011, from http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/0730/croaghpatrick.html3 RTE News, ‘25,000 take part in Croagh Patrick Pilgrimage’, July 1999 and RTE News, ‘Pilgrims flock to Croagh Patrick: In excess of 30,000 people climbed Croagh Patrick in Co. Mayo’, July 2007. Both online, retrieved November 2011, from http://www.rte.ie/news/1999/0725/croagh.html and http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0729/croaghpatrick.html respectively.4 RTE News, ‘Archbishop’s appeal on Croagh Patrick’, July 2008, online, retrieved November 2011, from http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0727/croaghpatrick.html

8 | P a g e

mountain’ are directly responsible for the problem of trail erosion. Countryside recreation is a key

component “in promoting regional spread and growing tourism to rural areas” (The Heritage

Council, 2006, p.13) and Fáilte Ireland, in recent years has been responsible for the promotion and

development of Westport and its surroundings as an adventure destination. This has seen a

significant increase in the amount of outdoor activities on Croagh Patrick. Organised events like

Gaelforce West and Sea2Summit have seen the participation of huge numbers of people, which has

a knock-on effect on the condition of the Croagh Patrick trail.

In 2005, Mountaineering Ireland recognised that the Irish uplands were “frequently subject to use

and development pressures inappropriate to their character” (p.4) and acknowledged that “intensive

use of upland areas, especially of peatland, can exceed the carrying capacity of the terrain” (p.6).

On their website they recommend that group numbers should be kept small; ideally less than ten

people and not exceeding fifteen.5 Seabrooke & Milnes (1993) believe that the establishment of a

carrying capacity on Croagh Patrick could provide a balance “between the ability of the site to

accommodate sufficient visitors to make the development worthwhile, yet not so many that the use

causes unacceptable deterioration of the site” (p.57).

2.3 The Adverse Environmental Impact

In their 2006 National Countryside Recreation Strategy, The Heritage Council identified excessive

recreational activity in the countryside, as leading inevitably to the erosion of upland trails. Bergin

& O’Rathaille undertook a study in 1999 to examine the potential impact of recreational activity on

the uplands with the intention of establishing “a baseline of knowledge and information relating to

the pursuit of recreation in Irish upland areas” (p.1). They concluded that an increasingly

anthropocentric approach to the landscape in Ireland has resulted in an increase in trail erosion on

the Irish uplands.

5 Mountaineering Ireland Website http://www.mountaineering.ie/accessandconservation/viewdetails.asp?ID=3

9 | P a g e

Fenlon’s study carried out on Croagh Patrick in 2006, concluded that the level of recreational

activity was environmentally unsustainable and recommended that ‘a standard method for assessing

the condition of a footpath was needed, in order to assess the extent of the damage’ (p.45). In an

interview with The Mayo News in July 2011, a representative of the Mayo Mountain Rescue Team

said that ‘the increase in traffic on Croagh Patrick and the resulting path erosion means that a long-

term management strategy is urgently needed. Mountaineering Ireland (2005) agrees, saying that a

more systematic approach is needed for trail management. They recommend the “ongoing

monitoring of tracks and paths in upland areas as a means to better trail management” (p.6).

In Upland Habitats, Fielding & Haworth (1999) state that the activity of hill-walking is largely

responsible for path erosion and that the damage is particularly serious on wet peaty ground “since

repeated use and extreme winter weather prevent the vegetation from recovering” (p.74). As the

footpath surface deteriorates walkers begin to follow new parallel routes, considerably widening the

original path. For Liddle (1997) trails provide ready-made routes for erosion, because “a steep path

will obviously allow a faster rate of water flow” (p.309). According to Liddle (1997), vegetation

cover provides natural protection from erosion on sloping ground as it “intercepts the raindrops so

that their kinetic energy is dissipated by the plants rather than imparted to the soil” (p.307). A

certain consequence of recreational activity is the “reduction in the number of species of living

organisms present in the impacted areas” and the resultant exposure of the surface to erosion

(Liddle, 1997, p.544).

2.4 Protection and Legislation Issues

From an archaeological point of view, the impact of recreational activity is having a serious effect

on Croagh Patrick. Cooney, Condit & Byrnes (1999) show that the emphasis in the legislative

framework in Ireland “is on individual sites and monuments rather than landscapes” (p.66). This

10 | P a g e

makes archaeological landscapes like Croagh Patrick particularly vulnerable to increased

recreational pressures. For Corlett (1996), the significance of Croagh Patrick lies in the inter-

relatedness of its individual monuments. The Reek provides an extensive ritual complex and is

therefore not “an archaeological site in the true sense” (p.54). As Croagh Patrick becomes exposed

to an ever-increasing number of visitors, there is a growing need for a new approach to its

protection. New legislation must be developed which takes into account wider archaeological

landscapes rather than just the individual monuments found within them.

2.5 Management Issues

With regard to the management of Croagh Patrick, the central issue is the designation of

responsibility. According to Shiel (July 2010), efforts to address the issue of the protection of

Croagh Patrick in the past have been ‘frustrated by confusion over who would be responsible for

carrying out this work’. The Mayo Walking Action Plan and Development Strategy (2006) states

that the responsibility for trail maintenance “lies with Mayo County Council, the Leader Partnership

Companies and other state agencies responsible for land which a walk may cross” (p.17). However

in the case of Croagh Patrick the question of ownership makes it more complicated. According to

Ryan (Aug 2011), the church “owns the little oratory on the top while the mountain slopes are

commonage lands owned by local farmers.” Mayo County Council told Globally Irish in May 2011

that, although they were aware of the problems on Croagh Patrick, there was little they could do to

address the issue since ‘they do not own the mountain and do not look after it’. Fenlon (2006)

suggests that many groups are unwilling to take responsibility for the maintenance of Croagh

Patrick due to issues of insurance and liability.

In 2011, Fáilte Ireland acknowledged partial responsibility for the erosion of mountain since they

played a central role in the promotion of outdoor events like Gaelforce West and Sea2Summit on

11 | P a g e

Croagh Patrick. Ryan (Aug 2011) believes that Fáilte Ireland’s recent establishment of the Clew

Bay Destination Group represents an attempt to devise a strategy for the sustainable development of

Croagh Patrick as a tourism destination. Fáilte Ireland acknowledges the need for trail management

in order to address the serious erosion, but ‘the problem for them is that the lands are in commonage

ownership’. Di Falco & Van Rensburg (2006) believe that the key to the successful management of

commonage depends on the ability of groups to cooperate “through informal local institutions”

(p.5).

In August 2011, Mr. Hughes, a representative of the Croagh Patrick Archaeological Committee,

told The Mayo News that it was imperative that all the stakeholders should to meet to chart a way

forward for Croagh Patrick. He believes that the mountain is fast becoming a vast outdoor

adventure and festival centre, saying that currently anyone can organise any event on Croagh

Patrick without permission or a permit. Mr. Hughes draws attention to upland management

practices in other countries, where “National Trusts, Offices of Public Works and county councils

work with local stakeholders to provide infrastructure to improve the overall experience for the

pilgrim and the tourist.” In Ireland however, trail development has generally emerged in an

uncoordinated manner.

In 2006, The Irish Sports Council stated that there was “a lack of planning and effective

coordination regarding the management, development, promotion and monitoring of recreational

trails” (p.35). They recommended the implementation of a long-term management strategy that

relies on cooperation and consultation and suggest that the overall responsibility for coordinating

this management strategy should be assigned to one department, “an appropriately skilled and

resourced executive unit establishing and maintaining coordinating mechanisms, particularly with

all other relevant departments, statutory agencies and stakeholders creating systems” (p.46). This

would facilitate a free-flow of initiatives and information between the various interests groups and

12 | P a g e

stakeholders of the site. However, Croagh Patrick remains outside the jurisdiction of the Trails

Management Scheme.

2.6 Conclusion

In reviewing the relevant literature for my research project I was able to highlight some of the key

issues and identified some of the central themes related to the management and use of Croagh

Patrick. For example, authors like Liddle, Bergin & O’Rathaille discussed issues relating to upland

erosion of the upland trails, while The Irish Sports Council and Cooney, Condit & Byrnes examined

management issues relating to Irish uplands and legislation for the protection of sensitive and

historic sites. The literature review identified some key issues that are relevant to my research

project and allowed me to organise my project for the purpose of subsequent data collection. In this

way I was able to get a clearer understanding of the type of data I needed in order to complete my

research.

Chapter Three – Research Methodology

3.0 Introduction

This chapter describes the methods I used to conduct my research. In order to carry out my research

I organised a series of interviews with representative of various groups who play a significant role

on Croagh Patrick. These interviews were carried out in November and December 2011. During

that time I continued to identify and collect other sources of primary data for my research.

13 | P a g e

3.1 Research Method

In order to collect suitable data for my research I decided to use interviews as the primary data

collection method. Three full interviews and one short telephone interview were conducted. I chose

to interview Mr. Walsh, Senior Archaeologist for the Mayo County Council because he was directly

involved with the archaeological excavations on the summit of Croagh Patrick in 1994 and would

have a good understanding of the protection and conservation of the site. I contacted Ms. Doherty,

the Civil Defence Officer and Mr. McGuire a PRO for the Mayo Mountain Rescue Team in order to

get a better understanding of the roles that these voluntary groups play in relation to Croagh Patrick.

I also contacted Mr. Groden, a member of Murrisk Development Association Ltd., a local voluntary

group involved in the day-to-day running of the facilities at Murrisk car park, in order to explore

issues relating to the ownership and management of Croagh Patrick.

I decided to use interviews for much of my data collection because they allow a more qualitative

analysis of the data. A response in an interview can be developed and clarified. I used a semi-

structured approach to my interview questions. This allowed me to address the key issues arising

from my literature review while allowing for greater flexibility to explore any new information.

One of the difficulties with this type of analysis is that it requires the completion of the literature

prior to any interviews in order to provide a focus for the interviews and the formulation of

effective and relevant questions. Many of my interviews were designed to have similar questions

and this facilitated easier analysis of the results. All the interviews for this project were recorded in

an informal manner and none were tape-recorded as I preferred to write the results. I typed up my

notes immediately after each interview and expanded on any key areas discussed.

14 | P a g e

I accessed Gaelforce West and Sea2Summit websites in order to gather information on organised

events. I visited Croagh Patrick and took photographs of the trail surface to illustrate its visible

deterioration. I also obtained an ordinance survey map of the site and accessed the Sites and

Monuments Record to determine the extent of the archaeological remains on the summit. I got the

survey results for Reek Sunday 2006 from Ms. Doherty, the Civil Defence Officer, and contacted

Mrs. Fenning who is in charge of the car parking facilities at Murrisk in order to gather information

on visitor numbers for Croagh Patrick. One of the difficulties I found with this form of data

collection is that very few statistics have previous been gathered for Croagh Patrick. I was able

obtain annual pilgrimage numbers from online newspaper publications, but no figures for the

number of recreational users of Croagh Patrick have been compiled on an annual basis and no

consistent attempt has been made to gather this information.

3.2 Constraints

The main difficulty I encountered in relation to data collection for my research project was that

most of the statistics I found were fragmentary and inconclusive. However, by accessing the Mayo

Mountain Rescue callout log, the Civil Defence survey and the Murrisk car park revenue figures, I

was able to combine the three sources and cross-reference the data.

In contacting Ms. Connor, the Walking Development Officer for the Mayo County Council, I was

told that the Croagh Patrick trail does not come under the Mayo County Council’s jurisdiction.

However, Ms. Connor recommended that I access the Mayo Walking Strategy and the Irish Trails

Strategy online which outlines the core aims and policies for trail development in Ireland. This

provided me with the information I needed for my research.

15 | P a g e

In my interview with Mr. Groden he suggested that Mr. Paddy Heraghty from the Taobh a Cróga

side of the Reek could provide me with another perspective on the issue. Mr. Heraghty had been

central to the anti-mining campaign on Croagh Patrick in the early 1990’s and would have an

excellent insight into issues relating to ownership and access. However, due to time constraints, I

was unable to interview him.

I would also have liked to interview a representative from Mountaineering Ireland, the national

governing body for hill-walking in Ireland, but since their offices are based in Dublin I was unable

to gain access for an interview. However, I found their policy documents for upland management

on their website and these proved very relevant to my research.

Chapter Four – Findings and Analysis

4.0 Introduction

This chapter compiles the results from my research. I structured this chapter according to the key

questions that occur across all the interviews. These questions are directly related to the themes that

surfaced during my literature review.

I compiled the data from the Mayo Civil Defence survey, the Mayo Mountain Rescue callout log,

and Murrisk car park and from these results I established that there has been a recent increase in

recreational activity on Croagh Patrick.

Through the interviews I was able to explore the issues surrounding this recent increase. A Senior

Archaeologist for the Mayo County Council, a representative of the Mayo Civil Defence, a member

of the Murrisk Development Association and a representative of Mayo Mountain Rescue were

16 | P a g e

interviewed. Their responses were compiled and compared for analysis. The interview results will

now be presented in this section.

4.1 The Findings of the Research

My research was conducted over a three-month period from October to December 2011. The aim of

the research was to investigate the adverse effects of increased recreational activity of Croagh

Patrick and what responses, if any, were being taken to address this issue.

The data collected indicates a definite increase in recreational activity on Croagh Patrick. However

due to the unsystematic monitoring of the site, much of the data is incomplete. Interview responses

confirm the increase in recreational activities on the Reek, while allowing for further expansion and

elucidation on the key issues.

The interviews showed that recreational activity is perceived as having an adverse effect on trail

quality on Croagh Patrick but that issues of ownership and responsibility are hindering efforts to

formulate an effective action plan to address this. The findings of this research will now be

developed further.

4.2 Increased Recreational Activity on Croagh Patrick

In order to ascertain that there has been an increase in recreational activity on Croagh Patrick I

accessed the callout log for the Mayo Mountain Rescue Team. According to their website “the team

responds to emergency callouts predominantly on Croagh Patrick with up to 80% of all annual

callouts being focused on the pilgrimage mountain”.6 This is reflected in the callout log, where most

6 The Mayo Mountain Rescue Team callout log http://www.mayomrt.com/CALLOUT2011.htm

17 | P a g e

of the accidents occur on the steepest part of the trail near the summit. According to Mr. Groden, a

representative of the Murrisk Development Association, organised events on the Reek are

increasing in number and volume. Over 3000 people took part in Gaelforce West this year and

about 1100 in Sea2Summit last November. In an interview with Mr. McGuire, a PRO for the Mayo

Mountain Rescue Team, he said that there has been a significant increase in callouts on the Reek in

recent years. “About three-quarters of all callouts by Mayo Mountain Rescue are to the Reek”, but

that pilgrims and tourists getting disorientated or falling on the cone of the Reek make up most of

our callouts. Most organised events on Croagh Patrick “tend to be well prepared and there are very

little injuries.”

The data gathered by the Civil Defence survey estimates that 15,000 pilgrims climbed Croagh

Patrick on Reek Sunday 2006. Previous estimates of pilgrimage numbers on Reek Sunday have

already been presented in the literature review section. However, the Civil Defence survey does not

indicate the annual number of recreational users on Croagh Patrick. In my interview with Ms.

Doherty, the Civil Defence Officer, she said that “no log has been kept, except occasionally, at the

once-a-year event of Reek Sunday.” Since the survey is taken on Reek Sunday, it only records the

number of climbers undertaking the pilgrimage on the busiest day of the year. Mr. Groden says that

the 2006 survey did not account for a substantial amount of people climbing from the Taobh a

Cróga side of the Reek and that the Civil Defence underestimated the official figure. Since no

coordinated attempt has been made to gather annual figures, this makes assessment of the impact of

recreational activity on Croagh Patrick very difficult.

In order to get figures for the number of annual visitors to Croagh Patrick, I requested data for the

Murrisk car park at the foot of Croagh Patrick from Mayo County Council. Mrs. Fenning provided

me with the annual revenue figures from the car park for the period of August to December 2010,

amounting to €28,000 and for 2011, amounting to €58,600. She suggested that if I divide these

18 | P a g e

amounts by €3 (the price of a ticket), I will be able to get the average number of cars using the car

park. I calculated that at least 9,666 cars used the car park at Murrisk from August to December

2010 and that 19,533 cars used it for 2011. This however, does not record the number of people per

car, nor does it take into account those cars that used the car park without buying a ticket. Mrs.

Fenning said that the car park at Murrisk is monitored three times a week by a Westport Parking

Officer and that many people use the car park without buying a ticket.

4.3 Responses to the Degradation of the Site

Mr. Groden believes that the recent increase in recreational activity on Croagh Patrick has had an

adverse impact on the mountain trail. He says that “in the past the traffic on the Reek was confined

to one day a year. But with an increase in outdoor events there is a constant stream of climbers on

the Reek all year round and this is becoming an issue.” The Clew Bay Destination Group was set up

by Fáilte Ireland in an attempt to “devise a strategy for the sustainable development of the mountain

as a tourism destination.” Aware of the increasing use of Croagh Patrick for all sorts of challenge

events, Fáilte Ireland asked the Murrisk Development Association to come up with a proposal, with

the help of Mayo County Council, for any repair work that needs to be undertaken on the most

dangerous parts of the mountain. This may provide an opportunity for the formulation of a

management plan for Croagh Patrick.

Archaeological sites in general in Ireland are protected by official state legislation. In the case of

Croagh Patrick it is important to ascertain what legislation is in place to deal with increased

recreational pressures. Mr. Walsh, Senior Archaeologist for the Mayo County Council, says that “at

present there is no adequate legislation for the protection of archaeological landscapes.” Any

structures on Croagh Patrick are recorded in the Sites and Monuments Record and given a basic

level of protection under Irish legislation however, the mountain itself does not have adequate

19 | P a g e

protection. At present anyone can carry out work on the mountain, provided they give notification

to the Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs three months in advance. Legislation

does not prohibit development on Croagh Patrick; it simply relies on the department to enforce the

protection of the site. In this respects the legislation is very weak. However, Mr. Walsh indicated

that “new legislation is due to be introduced in the next few years which will revamp the

designation process for archaeological sites.”

4.4 Management Issues relating to Croagh Patrick

With regard to the management of the site, Mr. Walsh recognises that increasingly “there is an issue

with the use of Croagh Patrick for organised events” but that no government body is willing to step

in and accept responsibility. Ms. Doherty, the Civil Defence Officer, explains that the management

of Croagh Patrick is complicated by issues of ownership and responsibility. She claims that since

‘various interest groups have a role to play on the Reek, no one group is directly responsible for the

mountain itself’. Mr. McGuire says that ‘the present situation is that no one knows who is to take on

the responsibility of managing any activity that takes place on the mountain or even who owns it’.

Ms. Doherty believes that it is due to a fear of liability that “no one group or organisation will claim

responsibility for the mountain.” As a result, there has been no organised effort to come together

and collectively manage Croagh Patrick, even though the preservation of the mountain is in

everybody’s interest. Ms. Doherty lists some of the various groups involved with Croagh Patrick

and outlines the specific role each one plays. For example, the Mayo County Council is only

responsible for the car park at Murrisk and bears no responsibility for the mountain itself. Voluntary

groups like the Mayo Civil Defence and the Order of Malta are only present at important events like

Reek Sunday, Sea2Summit and Gaelforce West and their role is restricted to safety and public

welfare. Likewise, the Mayo Mountain Rescue Team are not involved in the management of the

20 | P a g e

Reek, since the management of any activities on the mountain is ‘not within the remit of the Mayo

Mountain Rescue Team. They just focus on their role, which is safety and rescue on the mountain’

(Mr. McGuire).

4.5 Potential Solutions to the Problem

According to Mr. Groden, the central problem at the moment is that “everyone knows what’s wrong

with Croagh Patrick but no-one knows who will be the one to fix it.” He says that since there are

many different stakeholders involved with the mountain and many different groups with a role to

play, the result is that “they all cover their own area and have little involvement in anything outside

of that.”

Mr. Groden believes that “if there was more cooperation or coordination then the problem could be

solved.” He suggests that ultimately what is needed is the formation of a group that can represent all

the interests of those involved in the mountain. This group should be able to sit down and cooperate

together in addressing the issue of recreational activity on Croagh Patrick.

4.6 Interview Results

Overall, the data confirms that there has been a recent increase in recreational activity on Croagh

Patrick. The interviews help to develop an understanding of how recreational activity is having an

adverse impact on the mountain and that a course of action is urgently needed to address this issue.

Despite their inconclusive results, the interviews did provide some insight into the situation from

the point of view of all the interest groups involved directly and indirectly with Croagh Patrick and

management issues surrounding the site.

21 | P a g e

Chapter Five – Conclusion

An increase in recreational activity is having an adverse impact on Croagh Patrick. However,

management of the Reek is undermined by issues of ownership and responsibility. Many groups

have a role to play on Croagh Patrick but no one group is responsible for the management of the

mountain. A systematic and coordinated management approach is needed to address the current

issue of increased recreational activity on the mountain.

In order to develop an effective management plan it is necessary to assess the level of activity on

Croagh Patrick. I recommend that further study should be carried out to ascertain the extent of the

damage to the mountain. An Environmental Impact Assessment should be carried out with the

permission of the Mayo County Council in order to determine the nature and extent of the damage

to the trail. The subsequent data should provide the first step to the implementation of a sustainable

trail management strategy for Croagh Patrick.

22 | P a g e

Reference List

Bergin, J., and O’Rathaille, M. 1999, Recreation in the Irish Uplands, The Mountaineering Council of Ireland, Waterford.

Cooney, G., Condit, T., and Byrnes, E. 1999, ‘Timescapes: Understanding and Managing Archaeological Landscapes in Ireland’, Policies and Priorities for Ireland’s Landscape: Conference Papers, The Heritage Council, Co. Offaly.

Corlett, C. 1996, ‘Prehistoric Pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick’ Cathair Na Mart, No. 16, pp. 54-61.

Di Falco, S. and van Rensburg, T. 2006, Cooperation and Conservation in the Management of Common Property Resources: The Case of Irish Commonage, NUIG, Galway, online, retrieved November 2011, from http://www.webmeets.com/files/papers/ERE/WC3/844/Kyoto%20paper%2001-02-06.pdf

Fenlon, D. 2006, Management Issues on Croagh Patrick, Galway Mayo Institute of Technology.

Fielding, A. and Haworth, P. 1999, Upland Habitats, Routledge, London and New York.

Globally Irish, 2011, ‘Croagh Patrick in Trouble’, May 2011, online, retrieved October 2011, from http://globallyirish.com/archives/1641

The Heritage Council, Significant Unpublished Irish Archaeological Excavations 1930-1997, accessed November 2011, from http://heritagecouncil.ie/unpublished_excavations/section12.html

The Heritage Council, 2006, National Countryside Recreation Strategy, accessed November 2011, from http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/Community/RuralDevelopment/FileDownLoad,27107,en.pdf

Hughes, H. 2005, Croagh Patrick: Ireland's Holy Mountain, Croagh Patrick Archaeological Committee, Westport, Co. Mayo.

The Irish Independent, 2009, ‘20,000 to take part in Annual Croagh Patrick Pilgrimage’, July 2009, online, retrieved November 2011, from http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/national-news/20000-to-take-part-in-annual-croagh-patrick-pilgrimage-1841561.html

The Irish Sports Council, 2006, Irish Trails Strategy: Promoting and Developing Activity in the Irish Outdoors, accessed November 2011, from http://www.mountaineering.ie/documentbank/uploads/Irish%20Trails%20Strategy.pdf

Liddle, M.J. 1997, Recreation Ecology: the Ecological Impact of Outdoor Recreation and Ecotourism, London, Chapman and Hall.

Mayo County Council, 2006, Mayo County Walking Strategy and Strategic Action Plan: A Framework for the Development of Walking in County Mayo, accessed November 2011, from http://www.mayowalks.ie/media/Media,5013,en.pdf

23 | P a g e

Mayo Mountain Rescue Team: Callout Log, accessed December 2011, from http://www.mayomrt.com/CALLOUT2011.htm

McNulty, A. 2011, ‘Croagh Patrick Path Eroding due to Increased Traffic’, The Mayo News, July 2011, online, retrieved October 2011, from http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13315:traffic-increase-eroding-croagh-patrick-path&catid=23:news&Itemid=46

Morahan, L. 2001, Croagh Patrick, Co. Mayo: Archaeology, Landscape and People, The Croagh Patrick Archaeological Committee, Westport, Co. Mayo.

Mountaineering Council of Ireland, 2005, Environmental Policy Document, accessed November 2011, from http://www.mountaineering.ie/documentbank/uploads/MCI%20Environment%20Policy.pdf

RTE News, 1999, ‘25,000 take part in Croagh Patrick Pilgrimage’, July 1999, online, retrieved November 2011, from http://www.rte.ie/news/1999/0725/croagh.html

RTE News, 2007, ‘Pilgrims flock to Croagh Patrick: In excess of 30,000 people climbed Croagh Patrick in Co. Mayo’, July 2007, online, retrieved November 2011, from http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0729/croaghpatrick.html

RTE News, 2008, ‘Archbishop’s appeal on Croagh Patrick: more than 25,000 people took part in the annual climb’, July 2008, online, retrieved November 2011, from http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0727/croaghpatrick.html

Ryan, A. 2011, ‘Commercialisation of Croagh Patrick Criticised’, The Mayo News, August 2011, online, retrieved October 2011, from http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13349:commercialisation-of-croagh-patrick-criticised&catid=23:news&Itemid=46

Seabrooke, W., and Milnes, C. 1993, Recreational Land Management, E & FN Spon, London.

Shiel, T. 2010, ‘Rescue Team Calls for Safety Work on Croagh Patrick’, The Irish Times, 14/07/10, online, retrieved October 2011, from http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0714/1224274660042.html

The Sites and Monuments Record, online, accessed October 2011, from http://www.archaeology.ie/

Images

Fig. 1 – Photograph of the Croagh Patrick Trail from Murrisk to the Summit, Hughes, H. 2005, Croagh Patrick: Ireland's Holy Mountain, Croagh Patrick Archaeological Committee, Westport, Co. Mayo, p.10.

Fig. 2 – Drawing of the Glaspatrick Archaeological Excavations on the Summit of Croagh Patrick, Morahan, L. 2001, Croagh Patrick, Co. Mayo: Archaeology, Landscape and People, The Croagh Patrick Archaeological Committee, Westport, Co. Mayo, p.20.

24 | P a g e

Fig. 3 – Geological Map of Croagh Patrick, Morahan, L. 2001, Croagh Patrick, Co. Mayo: Archaeology, Landscape and People, The Croagh Patrick Archaeological Committee, Westport, Co. Mayo, p.68.

25 | P a g e

Bibliography

Bergin, J., and O’Rathaille, M. 1999, Recreation in the Irish Uplands, The Mountaineering Council of Ireland, Waterford.

Cooney, G., Condit, T., and Byrnes, E. 1999, ‘Timescapes: Understanding and Managing Archaeological Landscapes in Ireland’, Policies and Priorities for Ireland’s Landscape: Conference Papers, The Heritage Council, Co. Offaly.

Corlett, C. 1996, ‘Prehistoric Pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick’ Cathair Na Mart, No. 16, pp. 54-61.

Corlett, C. 1998, “The Prehistoric Ritual Landscape of Croagh Patrick, Co. Mayo”, The Journal of Irish Archaeology, vol. 9, pp. 9-26.

Di Falco, S. and van Rensburg, T. 2006, Cooperation and Conservation in the Management of Common Property Resources: The Case of Irish Commonage, National University of Ireland, Galway, online, retrieved November 2011, from http://www.webmeets.com/files/papers/ERE/WC3/844/Kyoto%20paper%2001-02-06.pdf

Fenlon, D. 2006, Management Issues on Croagh Patrick, Galway Mayo Institute of Technology.

Fielding, A. and Haworth, P. 1999, Upland Habitats, Routledge, London and New York.

Godde, P., Price, M. and Zimmerman, F. (eds.) (2000) Tourism and Development in Mountain Regions, CABI Publishing, UK.

The Heritage Council, 1997, The Pilgrim Paths Project, online, retrieved October 2011, from http://www.heritagecouncil.ie/recreation/heritage-council-initiatives/the-pilgrim-paths/

The Heritage Council, 2006, National Countryside Recreation Strategy, accessed November 2011, from http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/Community/RuralDevelopment/FileDownLoad,27107,en.pdf

The Heritage Council, Significant Unpublished Irish Archaeological Excavations 1930-1997, accessed November 2011, from http://heritagecouncil.ie/unpublished_excavations/section12.html

Hoctor, Z. 2010, Challenges, Changes and Opportunities in the Irish Uplands, The Irish Uplands Forum, The Heritage Council, accessed November 2011, from http://www.irishuplandsforum.org/documentbank/uploads/Report.pdf

Hughes, H. 1991, Croagh Patrick: Cruach Phadraig, the Reek: an Ancient Mountain Pilgrimage, Berry’s of Westport, Westport.

Hughes, H. 2005, Croagh Patrick: Ireland's Holy Mountain, Croagh Patrick Archaeological Committee, Westport, Co. Mayo.

The Irish Sports Council, 2006, Irish Trails Strategy: Promoting and Developing Activity in the Irish Outdoors, accessed November 2011, from http://www.mountaineering.ie/documentbank/uploads/Irish%20Trails%20Strategy.pdf

26 | P a g e

Leonard, L. 2006, Green Nation: the Irish Environmental Movement from Carnsore Point to the Rossport Five, Greenhouse Press, Drogheda, Co. Louth.

Liddle, M.J. 1997, Recreation Ecology: the Ecological Impact of Outdoor Recreation and Ecotourism, London, Chapman and Hall.

Morahan, L. 1998, “A Wealth of Monuments from Croagh Patrick Archaeological Survey”, Cathair na Mairt, no. 18, pp. 143-150.

Morahan, L. 2001, Croagh Patrick, Co. Mayo: Archaeology, Landscape and People, The Croagh Patrick Archaeological Committee, Westport, Co. Mayo.

Mountaineering Council of Ireland, 2008, Access and Conservation Leaflet, accessed November 2011, from http://www.mountaineering.ie/documentbank/uploads/MCI%20Access%20&%20Conservation.pdf

Mountaineering Council of Ireland, 2005, Environmental Policy Document, accessed November 2011, from http://www.mountaineering.ie/documentbank/uploads/MCI%20Environment%20Policy.pdf

Mayo County Council, 2006, Mayo County Walking Strategy & Strategic Action Plan: A Framework for the Development of Walking in County Mayo, accessed November 2011, from http://www.mayowalks.ie/media/Media,5013,en.pdf

Mayo County Council, Croagh Patrick proposed as a Natural Heritage Area, online, retrieved November 2011, from http://www.mayococo.ie/en/Services/Heritage/NaturalHeritage/NHAs/

Mayo Heritage Forum, 2006, County Mayo Heritage Plan 2006-2011: A Partnership Plan, accessed November 2011, from http://www.mayococo.ie/en/Services/Heritage/HeritagePlan/PDFFile,8661,en.pdf

Mulqueen, J., Rodgers, M., Marren, N. & Healy, M. 2006, “Erodibility of Hill Peat”, Irish Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, vol. 45, no. 2, pp. 103-114.

Seabrooke, W., and Milnes, C. 1993, Recreational Land Management, E & FN Spon, London.

Skehan, C. 2005, “‘Many a Vanished Sight’: Fear and Loathing of Change in the Landscape”, Archaeology Ireland, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 9-11.

Walsh, G. 1994, “Preliminary Report on Archaeological Excavations on the Summit of Croagh Patrick”, Cathair na Mairt, no. 14, pp. 1-10.

Walsh, G. 1995, ‘Glaspatrick, Croagh Patrick’, In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 1994. Wordwell Ltd., Bray, pp. 69-70. 

Walsh, G. 1996, ‘Glaspatrick, Croagh Patrick’, In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 1995. Wordwell Ltd., Bray.

27 | P a g e

Newspaper Articles

Deere, F. 2011, ‘Croagh Patrick in danger from over-use and weather’, Cinews, May 2011, online, retrieved October 2011, from http://www.cinews.ie/article.php?artid=8446

Dervan, C. 2011, ‘Ireland’s holiest mountain being ruined by tourists’, Irish Central, May 2011, online, retrieved October 2011, from http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Irelands-holiest-mountain-being-ruined-by-tourists-121852794.html#ixzz1Z3tY9el1

Globally Irish, 2011, ‘Croagh Patrick in Trouble’, May 2011, online, retrieved October 2011, from http://globallyirish.com/archives/1641

The Irish Independent, 2009, ‘20,000 to take part in Annual Croagh Patrick Pilgrimage’, July 2009, online, retrieved November 2011, from http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/national-news/20000-to-take-part-in-annual-croagh-patrick-pilgrimage-1841561.html

Martin, K. 2008, ‘Decision Delay on Gold Mining in Vicinity of Croagh Patrick’, Indymedia, June 2008, online, retrieved October 2011, from http://www.indymedia.ie/article/88113?userlanguage=ga&save_prefs=true

McNulty, A. 2011, ‘Croagh Patrick Path Eroding due to Increased Traffic’, The Mayo News, July 2011, online, retrieved October 2011, from http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13315:traffic-increase-eroding-croagh-patrick-path&catid=23:news&Itemid=46

RTE News, 1999, ‘25,000 take part in Croagh Patrick Pilgrimage’, July 1999, online, retrieved November 2011, from http://www.rte.ie/news/1999/0725/croagh.html

RTE News, 2007, ‘Pilgrims flock to Croagh Patrick: In excess of 30,000 people climbed Croagh Patrick in Co. Mayo’, July 2007, online, retrieved November 2011, from http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0729/croaghpatrick.html

RTE News, 2008, ‘Archbishop’s Appeal on Croagh Patrick, July 2008, online, retrieved November 2011, from http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0727/croaghpatrick.html

Ryan, A. 2011, ‘Commercialisation of Croagh Patrick Criticised’, The Mayo News, August 2011, online, retrieved October 2011, from http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13349:commercialisation-of-croagh-patrick-criticised&catid=23:news&Itemid=46

Ryan, A. 2011, ‘Sacred Peak should not be Exploited’, Sunday Times, July 2011, online, retrieved October 2011, from http://0-go.galegroup.com.library.gmit.ie/ps/i.do?&id=GALE%7CA262942607&v=2.1&u=gmit&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w GALE|A262942607

Shiel, T. 2004, ‘Croagh Patrick seeks UN Heritage Site Status’, The Independent, March 2004, online, retrieved October 2011, from http://www.independent.ie/national-news/croagh-patrick-seeks-un-heritage-site-status-181401.html

Shiel, T. 2010, ‘Rescue Team Calls for Safety Work on Croagh Patrick’, The Irish Times, July 2010, online, retrieved October 2011, from http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0714/1224274660042.html

28 | P a g e

Databases

Academic Search Premier , online, accessed October 2011, from http://www.ebscohost.com/academic/academic-search-premier

Cambridge Online Journals , online, accessed October 2011, from http://journals.cambridge.org

Ebrary - Ebook Collection, online, accessed October 2011, from http://www.ebrary.com/corp/

JSTOR Ireland Collection, online, accessed October 2011, from http://about.jstor.org/content-collections/journals/ireland

The Sites and Monuments Record, online, accessed October 2011, from http://www.archaeology.ie/

Events

The Seven-Day-in-a-Row Croagh Patrick Challenge, accessed December 2011, from http://www.croaghpatrickchallenge.com/

Gaelforce West, accessed December 2011, from http://www.gaelforceevents.com/west/

Irish Mountain Running Association, accessed December 2011, from http://www.imra.ie/

Westport Sea2Summit, accessed December 2011, from http://www.westportsea2summit.ie/

Groups

Mayo Mountain Rescue Team, accessed December 2011, from www.mayomrt.com

Mayo Mountain Rescue Team: Callout Log, accessed December 2011, from http://www.mayomrt.com/CALLOUT2011.htm

Order of Malta Ireland, accessed December 2011, from www.orderofmalta.ie

Mayo Civil Defence, accessed December 2011, from www.civildefence.ie

The Irish Uplands Forum, accessed November 2011, from http://www.irishuplandsforum.org/

Mountaineering Ireland, accessed November 2011, from http://www.mountaineering.ie/accessandconservation/viewdetails.asp?ID=3

Murrisk Development Association Ltd., accessed November 2011, from http://www.westportparish.ie/parish-information/murrisk

29 | P a g e

Appendices

Interview Transcripts

I interviewed Rose Doherty, the Civil Defence Officer on 28th November 2011. The following is a transcript of that interview:

Q Has there been any attempt in recent years to assess the number in users on Croagh Patrick?There has been no long-term attempt to find out the number of climbers on the Reek. If there was then that information would allow us to make future predictions for the mountain and put a long-term plan in place for the tourist growth of the Reek as a resource. There has been no organised attempt made for the consistent collection and collation of data for the Reek. This makes assessment and planning very difficult and responses tend to be reactionary. “No log has been kept except occasionally at the once-a-year event of Reek Sunday.” Therefore no consistent data has been obtained to facilitate analysis of the situation and to aid in future action plans.

Q Who is responsible for the management of the Reek?No one in responsible for the mountain itself but that various interest groups have a role to play on the Reek. The big problem is that no one group or organisation will claim responsibility for the mountain because it will make them responsible for any negative impacts, maintenance and injuries. Since no one will accept responsibility, there is no organised effort to come together and manage the Reek collectively, even though there are vested interests in the site and the sustainability of the resource affects a number of interest groups.

Q What groups are involved with the Reek?The Mayo County Council – Their responsibility relates to the Car Park only and bear no liability for the mountain itself. However, archaeology department has documented the cultural and historical significance for the heritage site [Gerry Walsh]. County Mayo itself is promoted as the walking and outdoor capital of Ireland [Anna Connor is the Walking Officer]. The Civil Defence – A voluntary organisation that are requested to be present only at Reek Sunday, Sea2Summit and Gaelforce West events. They have carried out a detailed survey of the numbers of climbers on Reek Sunday 2006. The Order of Malta – A voluntary organisation that are required to be present at Reek Sunday and religious events. Murrisk Development Association are largely responsible for the upkeep of facilities at the base of the Reek and receive no payment for this. I suggest you see Johnny Groden [There is a balancing act for the local community with the benefits of increased tourist numbers and revenue but with the adverse impacts on the resource. All revenue should be going into the sustainable repair of the mountain itself]. Mayo Mountain Rescue – Shane McGuire (Knows most about the impact on the Reek. Have records of the increasing use of the mountain and increased callout.) They are only responsible for safety and rescue operations on the Reek and they keep a record of all their rescue callouts to Croagh Patrick. Fáilte Ireland – have discussed the issue of impact on the mountain with Gaelforce West organisers in previous years. No assessment of the number of climbers has been carried out in any consistent or prolonged manner to allow for future predictions and long-term planning of the tourist growth of the Reek as a resource. The Reek has always been a pilgrimage and historical site, however in the last few years; the mountain has seen an unprecedented growth in tourist activity which is strongly influenced by Westport town as a tourism destination for outdoor adventure activities.

Ms. Doherty suggested an electronic log should be in place at the bottom of the mountain which would allow each climber to register before climbing the mountain. That data should be used to analyse visitor flow patterns. This system would be a means of guaranteeing individual safety while

30 | P a g e

providing consistent and long-term data that can contribute toward the formation of a management plan. This can enable the distribution and management of visitors in keeping with the carrying capacity of the site. She recommended that I speak with Mr. Johnny Groden of the Murrisk Development Association and Shane McGuire from Mayo Mountain Rescue.

I interviewed Johnny Groden, a member of the Murrisk Development Association, on Friday the 2nd

of December. The following is a transcript of the interview:

Q What impact is organised events having on Croagh Patrick?Organised events on the Reek are increasing in number and volume. “In the past the traffic on the Reek was confined to one day a year. However, with an increase in outdoor events there is a constant stream of climbers on the Reek all year round and this is becoming an issue.” Over 3000 people took part in Gaelforce West this year and about 1100 in Sea2Summit last November. The logistics for organising these events are very difficult. For example, the Murrisk Development Association got feedback that since Gaelforce took place on a day of fine weather, there were many other users of the Reek present. As a result two activities happening on the Reek at the same time: families with children climbing for leisure and participants in the race. This was considered very dangerous and a proposal was made that maybe Croagh Patrick could be part of an earlier stage of the race – earlier in the morning before traffic increased – rather than the second last stop before Westport. Gaelforce West currently begins beyond Leenaun and ends in Westport. This didn’t suit Westport town however as less people would be spending time there.

Q What action has been taken to address this issue?In recent years Fáilte Ireland has been involved in the promotion of the northwest as an adventure destination. Aware that Croagh Patrick is increasingly used for all sorts of challenges and events Fáilte Ireland set up the Clew Bay Destination Group run by former County Manager, Des Mahon for the last 12 months, to try and devise a strategy for the sustainable development of the mountain as a tourism destination. This involved with Branding Clew Bay Area. The group assess the area for tourism densities in order to determine the nature of the development. Fáilte Ireland asked the Murrisk Development Association to develop a proposal, with the assistance of the Mayo County Council, for possible repair work which is needed for the most dangerous parts of the Reek. Murrisk Development Association requested an engineer from the Mayo County Council in a professional capacity to help in the development of a proposal. This proposal includes recommendations for developments for facilities in and around the larger Murrisk area of the Reek.

Q Who is responsible for the management of the Reek?There is no ownership on the Reek. The central issue to its management is that the mountain is commonage. Between the statue of St. Patrick and the gate for sheep there are many different landowners. The shoulder of the mountain has another group of landowners. For that reason, there are many different stakeholders involved with Croagh Patrick. A permanent pathway is needed due to serious erosion but the problem is the lands are in commonage ownership. If the OPW took control and management of the site there would be the danger that traditional access and practices on the mountain would be disrupted and stopped.

Q What kind of data collection has been undertaken at Croagh Patrick?Data collected over the years has been inadequate and incomplete. For example rough estimates could only be made because counts would begin at 5am whereas the Reek Sunday would have begun 8pm the previous night. Also a good crowd climbs the Reek from the Taobh a Cróga side of the Reek which were not included in the count. Car parking was also an issue and in the end only a portion of the total number of climbers was recorded on the day. A more accurate and comprehensive method of recording climbing figures should be set-up. For example, on the new Greenway from Westport to Achill there are various counters set-up along stretches of the trail to

31 | P a g e

monitor the levels of use of each section. These counters give exact numbers of users and if a similar system was set-up at the Reek that would be very good for having data and acquiring funding. There is no paid staff working however on Croagh Patrick and this is a major issue when it comes to the management of the site.

Q What possible solutions are there to the problem?“If there was more cooperation or coordination then the problem could be solved.” Ultimately a group should be formed which with a significant local input, which would be in charge of the management and development of the Reek. That aims of this group should be “How can we prevent this rather than how can we repair it.” The central problem at the moment is that “everyone knows what’s wrong with Croagh Patrick but no-one knows who will be the one to fix it.” There are many different stakeholders involved with the mountain and many different groups play a role in the management of the site, however they all cover their own area and stop with anything outside of that. “They all cover their own and have little involvement in anything outside of that.” Within their role they play a serious part but “everyone has a role to play in relation to the Reek”. Each group is responsible only for their own role and has little involvement in what happens outside of that. Local volunteers have to step in to fill the gaps between each group when it comes to litter and the day-to-day functioning of the site. “The Reek belongs to everybody a day they want it and on a day they don’t it belongs to the community.” This places a lot of responsibility for the management of the site on the local community who have a stake in the mountain but receive very little recognition or help. Ultimately what is needed is for some collective group to be formed that can sit down and cooperate together, that can represent all the interests of those involved in the mountain, and can for a coordinated response to the problem. Trail management is needed on the mountain “it’s not going to be concrete but a bit of management is needed none-the-less.” It is important that the management of the Reek should not interfere with the ability of the public to access the mountain whenever they wanted.

Mr. Groden suggested that I get an interview with Paddy Heraghty from the Taobh a Cróga side of the Reek would provide another side to the issue. Mr. Heraghty was involved in the campaign to prevent mining activity on Croagh Patrick in the early 90’s however due to time constraints and the limited scope of my project I was unable to interview him.

I interviewed Gerry Walsh, Senior Archaeologist for the Mayo County Council, on the 24th of November 2011. The following is a transcript of the interview:

Q Who owns Croagh Patrick?Nobody owns it. Beyond the car park is common land. The Mayo County Council is responsible for the car park and for the tarred road to the steps of the Reek which is a country road. The Archbishop of Tuam is responsible for the oratory on the top of the Reek. Beyond that the mountain is assessable to everybody and owned by nobody.

Q Who is responsible for the management of Croagh Patrick?At present there is no management of the Reek and no plan for the future management of the Reek. This is largely due to a fear of litigation – for example, if signage is erected on the mountain and someone falls, the first questions asked is ‘who is responsible? Who erected the signs?’ increasingly there is an issue with the use of Croagh Patrick for organised events. However there is no government body to step in. The Croagh Patrick Archaeological Committee was founded in 1994 in attempt to take action in the promotion and development of the Reek. We wanted to put the Reek on the map for tourism. Bord Fáilte had no reference to Croagh Patrick in any of its literature. The Archaeological Committee is a voluntary organisation that employs two students during the months of July and August, to climb the mountain, open the church and provide information for visitors.

32 | P a g e

There is however a lot of vandalism on the summit as there are no staff employed full time. Management is needed especially on the cone of Croagh Patrick.

Q What kind of legislation is in place to protection the site?Under Irish legislation the archaeological monuments on Croagh Patrick are recorded in the Monuments Map. The Reek is designated as a protected site demarcated as a boxed zone that spans the trail to the summit. According to this designation this means that anyone who wishes to carry out work or development on the site have to give three months notice to the offices in Dublin. The legislation does not say that these developments are ‘not allowed’ it simply requires the developer to notify the department and relies on the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to reply within three months. In this respects the legislation is very weak. There are about 8000 ‘recorded monuments’ in county Mayo. These require three months notice for any proposed developments. However some monuments that are in danger of destruction have a preservation order and become ‘national monuments’. Of these there are about 40 in Mayo. These are given state protection. However, only individual monuments or groups of monuments within a ‘zone’ are given protected status as heritage and historical sites. At present there is no adequate legislation for the protection of archaeological landscapes. New legislation is due to be introduced in the next few years which will revamp the designation process for archaeological sites. Croagh Patrick may a lot be designated as an SAC or an SPA; protected areas for birds or habitats near Clew Bay.

Mr. Walsh recommended that more should be done to make people aware of the historical significance of the site. The information waymarkers could be erected on the trail to encourage users to stop and appreciate the landscape and the views. This however should be the job of the state.

I contacted Shane McGuire, PRO for the Mayo Mountain Rescue Team on 4th December 2011 and spoke with him over the telephone. I had some pre-prepared questions which he answered. The following is a transcript of the interview:

Q Has there been an increase in users on Croagh Patrick in recent years?The callout log shows that there has been a significant increase in callouts on the Reek. About ¾’s of all callouts by Mayo Mountain Rescue are to the Reek, however organised events are not the biggest concern with regards safety because all the participants tend to be well prepared and there are very little injuries. For the Sea2Summit event this year there were no casualties. However it’s usually pilgrims and tourists getting disorientated or falling on the cane of the Reek that makes up most of our callouts. From the point of view of Mayo Mountain Rescue our chief concern is safety. It’d be nice if something was done to improve the trail up the mountain but we are not responsible for anything outside our remit.

Q What role does Mayo Mountain Rescue play in the management of Croagh Patrick?We are not involved in the management of the Reek. The mountain is commonage and it is too complicated for us to get involved in. The present situation is that no one knows who is to take on the responsibility of managing any activity that takes place on the mountain. It is not within the remit of the Mayo Mountain Rescue Team. We just focus on our role, which deals with safety and rescue on the mountain. It would be good if something was done but it is not our responsibility and it’s a lot easier if we don’t get involved. Nobody seems to know whose responsibility it is to manage the Reek or who even owns it.

33 | P a g e

Civil Defence Survey of Croagh Patrick, Reek Sunday 2006

34 | P a g e

Published Findings of the 2006 Survey of Croagh Patrick

35 | P a g e

Extract from the Mayo Mountain Rescue Callout Log

(This indicates the frequency of callouts to Croagh Patrick for September to November 2011)

… 6th Nov: 6th callout in one week on Croagh Patrick. Casualty sustained lower body injuries evacuated by stretcher party.

4th Nov: Female training for Sea to Summit race sustained ankle injury on North (Murrisk) side of the mountain during descent. Full stretcher party mobilised and casualty evacuated to Murrisk for transfer to MGH by ambulance.

2nd Nov: The team received a call from a French tourist who has gotten disoriented and lost on the North West side of Croagh Patrick. Full team call out however the lady was located and team stood down.

1st Nov: Team responded to a call out on Croagh Patrick. We received a call around 16:30 from a young male with a lower leg injury on the Murrisk side of the mountain. The full team was called out and assisted the casualty back down the mountain. The team was stood down at 18:20. Thanks to all who attended. (Including the new members, an easy first rescue)!!

29th Oct: Mayo Mountain Rescue responded to a call out on Croagh Patrick for two casualties on the cone. Due to the level of severity involving possible head injuries and location, Coast Guard helicopter also tasked to assist. First casualty was a 16 yr old female, a member of a youth group climbing the mountain who had taken a tumbling fall and sustained multiple impact injuries. Casualty was stabilised on the mountain by first response team and moved by stretcher down the cone below cloud cover for winch evacuation by CG heli.2nd casualty was a female adult leader of the youth group who had sustained less severe injuries in trying to arrest the fall of the first casualty. She was also stabilised on the mountain and moved lower down by stretcher for CG heli evacuation to MGH.

13th Oct: Mayo Mountain Rescue responded to a call out on Croagh Patrick at 13:30, We received a call from a lady on the top of the cone with a lower leg injury. A first response team was sent up along with a stretcher party to access the injured lady. She had a dislocated ankle. The team prepared the lady for evacuation by stretcher and carried her to Mayo Mountain Rescue Base at the rear of the mountain. The team were stood down by 18:00.

30th Sept: Mayo Mountain Rescue responded to a callout on Croagh Patrick. We got the call at approx 5pm for an injured patient on the cone of the reek. Off we set to gather at the famine memorial at the front of the reek. We had the coast guard to assist us. Patient carried down towards the back path of the reek for heli evac. It was dark at this stage so it was particularly dramatic with the winching of the patient and the medics from the coast guard.

18th Sept: Reek. Mayo mountain rescue attended a patient with an ankle injury on the front of the reek today. The patient was treated, packaged and stretchered off. Well done to all the team especially the members from Dublin who kept their concentration levels for the duration!

17th Sept: Mayo Mountain Rescue attended the Focus Ireland 4 peaks challenge. The team guided the challengers across the more challenging sections of the climb on Mwleerea as visibility was very poor and conditions very wet and windy. The team Walked off one lady to the command unit who had taken a fall on her accent. Well done to all the contestants, Mountain Rescue & Order of Malta who assisted on the day …

36 | P a g e

Trail Erosion on Croagh Patrick(Photographs taken 1st October 2011)

Divergent Pathway Erosion Loose Rock and Widened Trail

Peat Erosion of the Trail Degradation of Casán Phadraig

Sites and Monuments Record Maps for Croagh Patrick37 | P a g e

Ordinance Survey Map for Croagh Patrick Trail38 | P a g e

39 | P a g e

Geological Map for Croagh Patrick

OSI Map of Croagh Patrick Trail

40 | P a g e