Poor weather has hampered the annual climb up Croagh Patrick in Co Mayo in Co Mayo, with the numbers of people expected to attempt the summit estimated at between 15,000 and 20,000.
Visibility is reported to be poor and this, combined with showers and wind are making conditions difficult. An estimated twenty people have been treated by the emergency services. The climb traditionally on the last Sunday in July is known as "Reek Sunday".
Earlier today the Catholic Archbishop of Tuam, Dr Michael Neary, climbed the mountain to celebrate 10.30 a.m. Mass in the oratory at the summit.
Archbishop Neary spoke to the people gathered around the peak about the changes Ireland has seen over the last few years and the new anxieties this has brought.
In his homily for "Reek Sunday", Archbishop Neary said our new prosperity has added to some of our problems including drugs, abuse of the elderly, exploitation of immigrants and greed in our new-found wealth.
"Quietly, beyond the glare of the media, thousands of men and women, young and old care for the poor in their own parishes, reach out to drug addicts in their sense of hopelessness, seek to house the homeless on city streets, visit the prisons and support the elderly in their loneliness and fear," Archbishop Neary said. "These are new expressions of faith."
The pilgrimage is associated with St Patrick who, in the year 441, spent 40 days and nights fasting on the summit, following the example of Christ and Moses.
Patrick's ability to Christianise many pagan customs, including the festival of Lughnasa, which previously had heralded the start of the harvest festival honouring the ancient pagan god Lugh, whose gave his name to the Irish word for August, Lughnasam, was the origin of the name "Reek Sunday".
This festival's tradition was absorbed into the new Christian faith and locally become known as Domhnach na Cruaiche (Reek Sunday).