croagh patrick: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Geographic/Religious
Quick answer
What does “croagh patrick” mean?
A mountain in County Mayo, Ireland, and an important site of pilgrimage in Irish Christianity.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A mountain in County Mayo, Ireland, and an important site of pilgrimage in Irish Christianity.
Specifically refers to a 764-metre peak, known as Ireland's holy mountain, where Saint Patrick is said to have fasted for 40 days. It is central to Irish religious and cultural identity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical as it is a proper noun referring to a specific Irish location. Awareness and frequency of use are higher in Irish English and British English than in American English.
Connotations
Strong connotations of Irish heritage, Catholicism, pilgrimage, penance, and national identity. In American English, it is primarily known within Irish diaspora communities or those interested in Irish history.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general American English; low to moderate in Irish and British English contexts, especially in discussions of religion, geography, or tourism.
Grammar
How to Use “croagh patrick” in a Sentence
[Pilgrims/Tourists] [verb: ascend/climb/scale] Croagh Patrick.Croagh Patrick is [verb: located/situated] in County Mayo.The [tradition/pilgrimage] of Croagh Patrick dates back centuries.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “croagh patrick” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Croagh Patrick pilgrimage is arduous.
- He described the Croagh Patrick experience.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in tourism/travel industry contexts (e.g., 'The Croagh Patrick visitor centre').
Academic
Used in historical, religious studies, or geographic papers on Irish culture and pilgrimage.
Everyday
Used in conversation primarily by Irish people, Catholics, or tourists discussing travel plans to Ireland.
Technical
Used in geology, geography, and topography as a specific place name.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “croagh patrick”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “croagh patrick”
- Misspelling as 'Croach Patrick' or 'Croak Patrick'.
- Incorrect pronunciation emphasizing 'croak'.
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a croagh patrick').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Croagh' comes from the Irish word 'cruach', meaning 'stack' or 'peak'.
Some pilgrims do climb barefoot as an act of penance, particularly on Reek Sunday, but it is not required.
The main pilgrimage day is Reek Sunday, the last Sunday in July.
While primarily a Catholic pilgrimage site, it is also a place of national and cultural significance for many Irish people, and its history predates Christianity.
A mountain in County Mayo, Ireland, and an important site of pilgrimage in Irish Christianity.
Croagh patrick is usually formal/geographic/religious in register.
Croagh patrick: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkrəʊk ˈpætrɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkroʊk ˈpætrɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CROwned with Awe, Patrick's mountain' – CROAgh Patrick.
Conceptual Metaphor
A MOUNTAIN IS A TEST OF FAITH; A PILGRIMAGE IS A JOURNEY TO PURITY.
Practice
Quiz
What is 'Croagh Patrick' primarily known as?