GARDAÍ HAVE estimated that between 20,000 and 25,000 people climbed Croagh Patrick yesterday as conditions there were more penitential than usual due to the weather.
Three people were taken to hospital and an estimated 50 were treated at the scene. Some children suffered hypothermia.
Order of Malta and mountain rescue volunteers were very critical last night of some parents for bringing children on the climb.
Eamonn Berry of the Order of Malta said they had treated more than four young children for hypothermia and supplied them with additional clothing after they had endured “a very cold gale”.
Colm Byrne of the Mayo Mountain Rescue Team criticised the parents for bringing “inappropriately dressed” children with them.
Children as young as six and seven years of age had to climb or be carried for up to four or five hours in wet and cold conditions.
Despite warnings, many pilgrims still insisted on climbing barefoot.
Some 120 Order of Malta volunteers were on duty at Croagh Patrick throughout the day, as were over 120 mountain rescue volunteers, gardaí and members of the local Murrisk community.
The availability of an Aer Corps helicopter throughout the day proved “a wonderful use of a State resource,” Mr Berry said.
As usual, the Archbishop of Tuam Most Rev Michael Neary climbed the mountain and celebrated the 10.30am Mass at the mountain-top oratory there.
He spoke of his concern at the current economic crisis. “Economic uncertainty, rising unemployment, cutbacks in health, education and many other areas are leaving families very vulnerable, anxious and worried about their futures,” he said.
But he advised that “in these difficult times it will be incumbent on all of us to ensure that the most vulnerable in society are protected”.
He continued that, “in the church too the revelations of the past few months have pained us beyond words. We have had highlighted the most terrible brutality, cruelty and abuse on the part of some of those who ought to have been ministers of gentleness, compassion and understanding.
“These days we, as a church, stumble our way in the dark valley of the shadow of death,” he said.
“The architecture of the future will be that of the contrite heart rather than ornate church buildings,” he said.