Barefoot hiking...up the Croagh Patrick

For those of you who weren't aware, a couple months ago I decided to set out on a spiritual pilgrimage of hiking the Croagh Patrick barefoot. I have been training my feet by walking outside on our garden path of stones and in the park. I also researched prayers I felt resonated with my personal spiritual beliefs to recite at each of the three stations. I rented a car and drove to Westport on Wednesday, then after a hearty, full Irish breakfast, I set out on Thursday, June 18th. Thank goodness Chris decided to bring his camelback to Ireland!

Here is the official start to my pilgrimage at the base of the mountain...it began with a prayer I recited to the Roman and Norse Goddess Abudantia.

Up the first leg of the mountain. This was the most difficult part b/c the terrain was so diverse, the wind and rain were so fierce I kept losing my balance. Thank goodness for my sturdy walking stick. It definitely kept me from falling over a number of times! I felt like I had already completed a mountain after getting to the top of this section!

Ah, sweet, sweet bathroom break. I have never been so happy to step out of the wind and rain and into a dirty, minimalist bathroom with soggy toilet paper all over the concrete ground and a lack of toilet seat! But then it was onward and upward!

This was the first station, at the base of the steepest part of the mountain. I walked around it 7 times while reciting a prayer I chose to the Celtic Goddess, Brigid.

When I reached the summit, the wind increased to 60 mph. I walked around the second station with much difficulty, while reciting a prayer to the Celtic Goddess Nemetona.

I DID IT!

Once at the top, I put my shoes on and did my final station. #3: I walked around the chapel 15 times as I recited the Hail Mary. I thought it was extremely appropriate as the wind was blowing about 70 mph while hailing. I then started my descent. It took me roughly 4 hours to reach the summit and complete all three stations, then another hour to get to the base again. Here, I fully completed my pilgrimage by reciting a prayer to the Sumerian Goddess Inanna while walking around the statue of St. Patrick (pictured earlier).

Though physically challenging, the experience was worth it! I felt so many things on this pilgrimage, I can't put it into words. Thank you to all who gave so much support and encouragement!