Traders On The Reek - July 2024

This is the story of the Families who for generations traded on Croagh Patrick providing refreshments to the weary pilgrims.
What were the different routes taken by these families to bring all their supplies to the summit from the surrounding villages? How did this network of support, Meitheal and friendship endure the sometimes-harsh conditions? Who are these families and why were they so connected to Ireland’s Holy Mountain?
Traditionally, the locals would climb Croagh Patrick on Garland Friday, the Friday before Reek Sunday, which is the last Sunday in July. On Friday 26th July 2024 after mass in Murrisk Carpark we premiered this short film telling the Traders stories and also had an excellent exhibition from the pupils of local primary schools.
From 2023 to 2024 Louisburgh-Killeen Heritage and Louisburgh Area Men's Shed researched and gathered the stories and memories of some of the families who were Traders on the Reek. We met weekly in Lecanvey community centre to share information and plan the next steps. We visited all the local primary schools to invite the students to create art work and Holy Family N.S. Killeen, St. Patricks N.S. Louisburgh and Drummin N.S. submitted some beautiful paintings, PowerPoint presentations, poetry and essays including audio which you can view on our website.
In May 2024 we spent two days recording the enactment of the Traders preparing for the climb, getting the donkeys ready with all the supplies and the climb up Croagh Patrick, setting up the stall at the summit and making the tea. The last family to trade on the summit were the Needham family in 2019. We are very grateful to the Needham family for providing all the necessary materials needed for the enactment including the three donkeys. We are also very grateful to the Walsh family for participating in the recording.
We encourage anyone who has a memory, photograph or story about the Traders on the Reek to get in touch with us.
This short movie is in Memory of all the Traders on the Reek.
Our online archive will continue to be updated at www.louisburgh...
This is a joint collaboration project of Louisburgh-Killeen Heritage and Louisburgh Area Men’s Shed, supported by the National Museum of Ireland, National Heritage Council, Irish Community Archive Network iCAN, County Mayo Heritage Officer, and the communities of Killeen, ClareIsland, Inishturk, Louisburgh, Lecanvey, Murrisk, Drummin and Westport.
Huge thanks to Videographer Brendan Gilmartin for his help and support with this project.
Thanks to Fr Kenny in Westport Parish church, Staunton's Pub Lecanvey, Murrisk Cafe, Lecanvey Community Centre Committee, Chris Harper-MySigns, MW Design Print Signs, Louisburgh Townhall committee, Nomadic Display, Jim Corrigan Photographer, the families who participated and anyone who contributed to making this video a success.
Thanks to Louisburgh-Killeen Heritage volunteers Brige Woodward, Deirdre McGuirk & Mary O'Malley for their dedication to local heritage in the Louisburgh-Killeen Area.

[@marychrisomalley]

Delighted to have been part of recording this important part of our local heritage. These amazing stories are captured for ever more with thanks to all who supported this project.

[@gearoid131]

Fantastic video lovely people in the west of Ireland

[@user-ei5ik1lm8p]

Well done all. Great watch👍

[@hannahwalsh1321]

Amazing! Well done to all involved. Laughed at the story about grandad at 18.50 😂 thanks for that padraic ❤

[@johnmcdonnell9022]

loved the video .

[@MaryMcKenna-m8h]

Go maith é na asail alainn, ar bun Croach Padraic. Ana mhaith

[@thomasdelaney5768]

The fact that they never got sick on the reek hits hard

[@chloeomalley6303]

Maith sibh! well done to all

[@jamesbradshaw3389]

The Donkeys climbed up the sides of steep and rocky reek until they reached the top of Croagh Patrick, in all kinds of weather, carrying building materials to build and repair Saint Patrick church, Those Donkeys also carried food and drinks to feed the weary pilgrims. Jesus rode a Donkey as he entered Jerusalem. Donkeys carry a cross on their back which is a symbol of Jesus suffering on the cross. Jesus rode on Donkey as he entered Jerusalem, where he was met by cheering crowds. Donkeys are an animal that works on many small holdings and help poor families make a living to survive, Donkeys are a most noble animal

[@liamog03]

wonderful and Billy Gallagher what is better than that