ST. PATRICK’S DAY Although much of the life of the patron saint of Ireland is shrouded in legend, he was probably born around the year AD 389. What we do know about him comes from his book, “The Confession”, which he wrote near the end of his life. It begins, “I am Patrick, a sinner, [...]
Ireland
HISTORY OF REEK SUNDAY, Part 3: LOCATION In County Mayo in Ireland, Cruach Phadraig — as it is known in Irish — is also called “The Reek.” It stands at 764 meters or 2510 feet elevation. It is located about 5 miles from the lovely town of Westport, an Irish Tidy Town. St. Patrick’s “Confessions” [...]
HISTORY OF REEK SUNDAY, part 2: PILGRIMAGE Pilgrims, nature lovers, archeologists, historians and hill climbers come from all over the world to climb the mountain. This pilgrimage has been going on for centuries, and an older one for millennia. More on that later. The current one has been going on in an active way since [...]
HISTORY OF REEK SUNDAY A few years ago at this time of the Summer I was on the west coast of Ireland, where they say, “West o’ here, da next parish over, dat’s Boston.” This Sunday, the last Sunday in July every year, marks Reek Sunday, or Garland Sunday in Ireland. At this time between [...]
ST. PATRICK’S DAY Although much of the life of the patron saint of Ireland is shrouded in legend, he was probably born around the year 389. What we do know about him comes from his book, “The Confession”, which he wrote near the end of his life. It begins, “I am Patrick, a sinner, most [...]
HISTORY OF REEK SUNDAY This week I was in Boston. But a couple of years ago at this time I was on the west coast of Ireland, where they say, “West o’ here, da next parish over, dat’s Boston.” This Sunday, the last Sunday in July every year, marks Reek Sunday , or Garland Sunday [...]
ST. PATRICK’S DAY Although much of the life of the patron saint of Ireland is shrouded in legend, he was probably born around the year 389. What we do know about him comes from his book, “The Confession”, which he wrote near the end of his life. It begins, “I am Patrick, a sinner, most [...]
