Group seeks support to care for Croagh Patrick
At the launch of the Friends of Croagh Patrick fundraising project and website were David Doyle, co-ordinator; Dermot Langan, president, Westport Chamber of Commerce; Martin Keating, chairperson; Joe Corcoran, Destination Westport; and Caroline Goucher, administrator to the stakeholder group. Picture: Frank Dolan
A new initiative to co-fund the future maintenance of the path on Croagh Patrick has been unveiled.
A significant restoration project that was over eight years in the making was recently completed on the mountain and over the past four years in particular, a dedicated professional path team saw to the completion of an improved and safer stepped route to the summit.
The Sustainable Access and Habitat Restoration Project was a collaboration that involved landowners and community, the Church and other local interested parties, with support from both the Department of Community and Rural Development and Mayo County Council.
Martin Keating, the chairperson of Croagh Patrick Stakeholders Group, said that the problem of erosion on Croagh Patrick was solved by putting the mountain and its care at the centre of everyone’s thinking and action.
“With the path work completed and signs of good vegetation recovery on the eroded areas, our attention now turns to arrangements to maintain the path in good condition. This includes clearing cross drains, removing cobble from the path and keeping the revetment walls that support the steps in good condition.” The Friends of the Reek initiative is an opportunity for people to show their support for that work by making an annual donation online at www.croaghpatrick.net. There is also the opportunity for local business to become either a supporter or partner.
“The Sustainable Access and Habitat Restoration Project has put Croagh Patrick, the mountain that people have come to for healing for centuries, in a good place to heal itself,” said Keating. “ I strongly encourage support for the Friends of the Reek initiative so that we never have to witness a scarred, eroded and uncared for mountain again.”
