Top 5 Pilgrimages in Ireland | THE BRENDAN OPTION 129 

Father Brendan, I remember climbing Croagh Patrick in Sept. 2008 when I was 55. Most of the way up is fairly level, not too hard. Then, I hit the last 3rd and was looking straight up. At times, I was on all fours but I made it - thank God! Going up, I ran into a man, we had a nice talk and then it turned out he was a priest. He was leading a bunch of teens from Longford and they, like mountain goats, had scampered up the mountain ahead of him and were waiting for him at the top for Mass. He was a great man and heard my Confession. God has His own ways of cleaning us up when we least expect it. At the top, the chapel was quite cold, you could hang meat in there. Nevertheless, the Mass was very special. Coming down, I slid on my arse a multitude of times. The only thing hurt was my dignity as people ran over to see if I was okay. I ran out of water but I found a mountain stream on the way down. The water was clear. The mountain goats assured me that they only piss on the lower level of the mountain for the tourists so the water was okay! Be sure to travel in style. I "rented" a walking stick from yer man at the bottom of the mountain, but you should travel in style and get one or two of those Swiss trekking poles. That way if you die on the mountain, you will have gone out in style! If you have survived the going up and coming down without having to call in the helicopters, be sure to have some hot Potato soup in the gift shop down below and pick up a shirt "I survived Croagh Patrick" - Your friends will bury you in it when the times comes and I hope it comes on the 12th of Never! God love you and keep pitching! Signed, Your 70 year old groupie from Texas

I have been to lough Derg 3 times and I think it's the greatest of them all. You feel close to God there. Everyone is quiet , no noise concentrating on their prayers. As you leave you feel you have achieved something. It's tough but that's what makes it worthwhile.

Fr. Brendan, have you thought about inviting your viewers to join you on the climb up Croagh Patrick, it could turn into something very special

Good on you Fr.Brendan. What a good idea .

Thank you!

I will be visiting from the US. Making stops at Knock and Croagh Patrick, God willing 🙏🏻🕊🙏🏻

God Bless you Fr Brendan

Said a prayer for you on our parish Pilgrimage from West Limerick to Knock today. 🙏

Good luck 🍀 Father Brendan on your pilgrimage. I'll say a 🙏 for you.x

I wish I had half your courage...I am not scared of heights but I am soooo unfit! 🙄

Well done father, this country is full of pilgrimages, 2 of my favourites are saint Declan’s way , it starts at the rock of cashel ends in dunmore on the coast it takes about 4 days to walk, and the other is really beautiful saint Kevin’s way 30 k starts in Hollywood in Wicklow and ends in glendalough , lots of time to reflect on both of them, God bless

If you set a date Fr l will travel up with a few good Limerick men and join you on 'The Reek'.☘️

Tons of great pilgrimage places in the US. the Shrine if the North American Martyrs, Fatima Shrine, both in upstate NY. There's the Divine Mercy shrine. All convenient to millions of people. Then up in Canada there are two beautiful shrines for pilgrimage. One is Saint Ann's just outside Quebec city, and not too far west from that one is one they call three rivers. You can always go the giant Basilica in Washington DC, the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, that is an unbelievable building. They have altars for every ethnic group. They celebrate all the Catholics who came to America. You can visit Mother Seton's tomb in Maryland, not far from Gettysburg. Those are just some of the places we have gone. Some used to do a long walk to the St. Ann's Shrine up in Quebec. They used to have whole trains that went there.

Live in USA...I will say a prayer on Pentacost Sunday for the renewal of Catholicism in Ireland...maybe y'all could join us in that prayer or rosary? Slainte!

Fair plan and God Bless, say prayer I can finally get my act together to climb Croach Patrick. God Bless.

I been to Knock, Saul Mountain, and various shrines around Co. Louth. Spectacular scenery, not to mention that Knock is the cleanest town in Ireland.

A few years ago I did a pilgrimage to the tomb of Thomas of cantaloupe in Hereford when I got back to Gloucester I told a Muslim shopkeeper and he came out from behind the counter and gave me a hug.

I highly recommend Lough Derg in Donegal who also do a one day pilgrimage as well as the traditional 3 day pilgrimage. Pilgrims on the one day pilgrimage are not required to be barefoot. There are coach excursions until the middle of August from around Ireland run by a number of parish groups, patrons for those without transport to Lough Derg.

Love this video. Thanks for the inspiration 😊

Not Irish (well great granny was) but plan to go in 2025. This summer I'll do a pilgrimage here at home in Canada. Thank you for the challenge

I went to Lanzaroty years ago nearly every second person I met was Irish.I go to Knock about twice a year for a few days never met anyone I knew there, by the way what is a new Irish Catholic,God Bless Father.

When are you planning to climb Croagh Patrick? could we join you in prayer and climbing?

You might get me there if you give me the Roman RITE priest and mass I will go there

Penance Bunny..........it could catch on

Your Hilarious Father. Forget the Easter Bunny say Hello to the Penance Bunny. Best of luck in the Bog with the midgets and the Irish weather! Might as well foot the turf too, I did it as a child, twas mighty. 🤣 it could catch on... joking.... Best of luck with Croagh Patrick i will say a prayer for you from Medjugorje.