Devil's Bit Mountain |
The last Sunday in July is known as Reek Sunday and is associated with the pilgrimage up Croagh Patrick. Other names include Garland Sunday, Garlic Sunday and Billberry Sunday.
This Christian pilgrimage is often thought to have replaced the pre-Christian festival of Lughnasa.
Interestingly enough in "The Festival of Lughnasa" by Máire MacNeill a number of places in Tipperary are associated with similar pilgrimages or walks on the last Sunday in July / Lughnasa. (The date of which varies)
Mothers Mountain near Kilcommon / Rearcross (North Tipp)
Keeper Hill near Kiloscully (North Tipp)
Knockshegowna near Ballingarry (North Tipp)
Devil's Bit near Gortagarry (North Tipp)
The exact date for Lughnasa festivals varies a bit.
For example - Rock
Sunday at the Rock of Barnane or Devil's Bit is said to be the closest Sunday
to the St. James's Day which is the 25th of July. (See the festival of Lughnasa
- pg 218) That would make it today but this year a Mass is being held on the last
Sunday of July which is next week.
That ties in with probably the most famous Lughnasa pilgrimage - Reek Sunday at Croagh Patrick which is scheduled for next Sunday also.
The book also mentions one holy well
St Peakaun's Well in the Glen of Aherlow (South Tipp)
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