Portrait of the Pilgrim 2013

by Tom Bereska and Tom Szustek

Once again Uspecto photographers joined the efforts to climb the holy mountain of Croagh Patrick, Co. Mayo, Ireland during the annual pilgrimage, bringing back the new set of pilgrims portraits.

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.

The pilgrimage takes place on the last Sunday of July. This tradition spans over 1500 years without interruption. Many pilgrims, as an act of penance undertake their walk barefoot.