Portrait of the Pilgrim 2010

by Tom Bereska and Tom Szustek

According to the legend, it was on the summit of the mountain that Saint Patrick fasted for forty days in 441 AD. Then, when descending he threw a silver bell down the side of the mountain, knocking the pagan she-demon Corra from the sky and banishing all the snakes from Ireland.

Every year on “Reek Sunday”, the last Sunday of July, thousands of people climb the holy mountain of Croagh Patrick in Co. Mayo, Ireland. This tradition spans over 1500 years without interruption. Many pilgrims, as an act of penance undertake their walk barefoot.

Among the pilgrims, there are members of every part of Irish society. Men and women, young and old, rich and poor, professors and workers, Irish and immigrants. All were different, but all were joined by the holy time of pilgrimage. The diversity in appearance and unity in purpose, that’s what we wanted to capture.

cooperation: Katarzyna Sudak