Peak of the Reek Corporate Challenge, Croagh Patrick

What to Expect

Peak of the Reek is Western Alzheimers’ biggest annual fundraiser, and for 2026 the charity has split it into two days. Friday 11 September is the corporate challenge, a separate climb designed for workplace teams, with the open community climb following on Saturday 12 September. The charity describes the Friday event as “a dedicated corporate challenge designed to bring teams together for a vital cause”.

The climb itself is the standard pilgrim route up Croagh Patrick from the car park at Murrisk on the shore of Clew Bay. It is 764 metres, a return trip of roughly 7km, and most groups take between three and four hours up and down. The final cone is loose scree and demands proper boots rather than trainers. Western Alzheimers is a regional charity providing day care, respite and home support for people with dementia across Mayo, Galway and Roscommon, and money raised on the Reek goes directly into those services. Teams register through the charity rather than on the day, and the corporate format is built around company fundraising targets and team entries rather than individual sign-ups.

Good to Know

• Friday 11 September 2026 at Croagh Patrick, Murrisk, Co. Mayo. Times are confirmed with registered teams.
• This is the corporate team day. The open community climb is the following day, Saturday 12 September.
• Entry fees and team fundraising targets are set by Western Alzheimers. Register through westernalzheimers.ie.
• Proceeds fund dementia day care, respite and home support across Mayo, Galway and Roscommon.
• Walking boots with ankle support are essential. Bring waterproofs, water and food.
• Clew Bay weather turns fast. Check the forecast the night before and again on the morning.

Getting There

Murrisk is on the R335 between Westport and Louisburgh, about 8km west of Westport town. The signposted Croagh Patrick car park and visitor centre sit at the foot of the mountain, directly across the road from Murrisk Abbey, and there is a coffee stop and toilets there. Parking is paid and fills early on event days, so allow extra time. Westport is the nearest town for accommodation, ten minutes back along the coast road, and Westport railway station is on the Dublin Heuston line.