The month of May, with the summer fast approaching, is a time of renewal and reflection, making it an ideal time to embark on a pilgrimage journey to  Lough Derg. This renowned and historic place of Christian pilgrimage, Lough Derg invites you to immerse yourself in a peaceful and spiritual atmosphere. Here’s what you can experience this month:

Traditional Three-Day Pilgrimage    (Beginning Friday May 30th)
A powerful spiritual journey, our traditional three-day pilgrimage welcomes thousands each year. Take a time away from the rigours and routine of daily life, and engage in a meaningful ritual of prayer, fasting, and contemplation, following in the footsteps of countless pilgrims throughout the centuries.  More information HERE.
*The Three Day Pilgrimage continues until  August 15th - Wednesday 13th August is the last day to begin the Three Day Pilgrimage for the Jubilee Year 2025

One Day Retreats (Sun 4th,   Mon 5th,   Sun 11th,   Tue 13th,   Sat 17th,   Sat 24th,   Mon 26th)
Before the beginning of the Three Day Pilgrimage, for those seeking a shorter, reflective escape, our day retreats offer a chance to unwind and find peace in quiet contemplation. Join us for guided reflections, prayer, Eucharistic Adoration, the celebration of Mass  -  an opportunity for some 'time out'  in  tranquil surroundings. More information and booking details HERE.

****Special One Day Retreats this May
On Sunday  4th, the first One Day Retreat of the 2025 Pilgrimage Season, we will be joined by the Papal Nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop Luis Montemayor, and Bishop of Clogher Larry Duffy.

Saturday 17th will see us joined by the  Divine Mercy Sisters    who will  speak about the devotion  and lead the Chaplet of Divine Mercy in Saint Patrick's Basilica.

On Monday 26th a relic of Saint Peregrine (Patron Saint for persons suffering from cancer) will be present on Station Island. A blessing with the relic with be available to pilgrims.

Quiet Day (Saturday 10th)
A Quiet Day on Lough Derg is a self-directed day in the peaceful Island setting. It is a day where you and fellow pilgrims have the Island to yourself. Pilgrims often bring with them their own reflective reading others just simply like to walk the island in silent prayer, spend time in Saint Patrick’s Basilica or Saint Mary’s Chapel and soak in the atmosphere of centuries of pilgrim prayer. More information and  booking details HERE.

Residential Retreat (Fri 16th - Mon 19th)
The first residential retreat for this year - "Called" - is particularly offered for young adults 18-35 years).   Franciscan Brothers, Jacopo & Ronan will help retreatants explore themes such as faith, love of true self, and the experience of life's challenges.  Reduced rates  (thanks to sponsorship and donations) are available , contact Marcas for more details.

A second residential retreat,   "Hope in the Wilderness" with Eoin Madigan  will take place from Thursday 10th to Sunday 13th July. More information available HERE.

Day of Friendship & Prayer    (Wednesday 21st)
Our Day of Friendship & Prayer is a gathering where pilgrims and friends from different Christian churches come together for a day of reflection, prayer, and fellowship. This ecumenical event emphasises unity and strengthens relationships within the Christian community.   It's a time to deepen spiritual connections and build bridges between denominations.   This year we look forward to welcoming Harold Good as our guest speaker. Harold Good O.B.E. is an Irish Methodist who, in 2005, played a vital role in the Northern Ireland peace process.   To book your place for this special day, click HERE.

Jubilee 2025 Pilgrim Passport    (throughout  this pilgrimage season)
This special year, declared by Pope Francis as a time of great celebration and spiritual renewal, presents the perfect opportunity for Lough Derg to join forces with Ireland's other two major pilgrimage sites nominated by the Irish Bishops as destinations for pilgrims during the Jubilee Year 2025. The 'Pilgrim Passport' is a bespoke booklet that encourages visitors to embark and reflect on a spiritual journey across Ireland, exploring the country's rich heritage and deep-rooted faith. 
 
"We are delighted to partner with our friends at Knock Shrine and Croagh Patrick to bring this unique initiative to life," said Monsignor La Flynn, Prior of Lough Derg. "The Pilgrim Passport invites individuals to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with their spiritual roots amidst the beauty and tranquillity of Ireland's sacred landscapes."
 
As part of the project, pilgrims visiting each of the three sites can receive a stamp in their passport, serving as a poignant reminder of their journey. At Lough Derg, the annual schedule of One Day Retreats, the Three Day Pilgrimage, and other opportunities for pilgrimage will take place through Jubilee Year 2025, tying into the theme of the Jubilee, “Pilgrims of Hope”. 

Find out more about the Pilgrim Passport by visiting the dedicated website www.pilgrimpassport.ie

Lough Derg is a beacon of peace and spiritual solace, offering a unique opportunity to step away from the hustle of daily life and reconnect with  God and with self. For more information on these events or to plan your visit, please contact our office at [email protected] or explore more of our website.

We look forward to welcoming you to the tranquil and sacred shores of Lough Derg.

Blessings,

Fr. La and the Lough Derg Team

At the sight of him Adam, the first man he had created, struck his breast in terror and cried out to everyone: “My Lord be with you all.” Christ answered him: “And with your spirit.” He took him by the hand and raised him up, saying: “Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
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I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. Out of love for you and for your descendants I now by my own authority command all who are held in bondage to come forth, all who are in darkness to be enlightened, all who are sleeping to arise. I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be held a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead. Rise up, work of my hands, you who were created in my image. Rise, let us leave this place, for you are in me and I am in you; together we form only one person and we cannot be separated. For your sake I, your God, became your son; I, the Lord, took the form of a slave; I, whose home is above the heavens, descended to the earth and beneath the earth. For your sake, for the sake of man, I became like a man without help, free among the dead. For the sake of you, who left a garden, I was betrayed to the Jews in a garden, and I was crucified in a garden.

See on my face the spittle I received in order to restore to you the life I once breathed into you. See there the marks of the blows I received in order to refashion your warped nature in my image. On my back see the marks of the scourging I endured to remove the burden of sin that weighs upon your back. See my hands, nailed firmly to a tree, for you who once wickedly stretched out your hand to a tree.

I slept on the cross and a sword pierced my side for you who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side has healed the pain in yours. My sleep will rouse you from your sleep in hell. The sword that pierced me has sheathed the sword that was turned against you.
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Rise, let us leave this place. The enemy led you out of the earthly paradise. I will not restore you to that paradise, but I will enthrone you in heaven. I forbade you the tree that was only a symbol of life, but see, I who am life itself am now one with you. I appointed cherubim to guard you as slaves are guarded, but now I make them worship you as God. The throne formed by cherubim awaits you, its bearers swift and eager. The bridal chamber is adorned, the banquet is ready, the eternal dwelling places are prepared, the treasure houses of all good things lie open. The kingdom of heaven has been prepared for you from all eternity.

1 Hour Boat Tour of Lough Derg *on selected dates
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Adults €15
Children (under 16) €10
Family Ticket (2 Adults & 2 Children) €40
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For dates and booking CLICK HERE

‘Rev. Harold Good’s story is one of faith, reconciliation, charity, and hope, and the story of his life is inspirational.’
– Senator George Mitchell

Rev. Harold Good, ’Derry-born Methodist minister, retired Church leader and one of the oldest surviving actors in the Irish peace process, lifts the curtain on his remarkable life in this enthralling memoir. From Ian Paisley’s turbulent arrival in the early fifties to the burning of Bombay Street and internment; from searching for bomb victims with his bare hands on the Shankill to verifying the destruction of IRA weapons with Fr Alec Reid, Good has seen it all. Helped by recently excavated phone texts, he reveals his role as a back channel between the DUP and Sinn Féin, when he facilitated secret meetings in his home between Martin McGuinness and Jeffrey Donaldson that helped create the historic partnership government co-led by Paisley and McGuinness.
Good couldn’t have imagined that one day he would help change the course of Irish history, play a hitherto undocumented role in weapons disposal by FARC and ETA in Colombia and the Basque Country, and be asked by Queen Elizabeth II over lunch in Buckingham Palace for advice about her visit to Ireland.
​From:   www.redstripepress.com/in-good-time/

As an ancient place of pilgrimage, Lough Derg is proud to announce its participation in the 'Pilgrim Passport' project, a unique and historic collaboration with Knock Shrine and Croagh Patrick to mark Jubilee Year 2025. 
 
This special year, declared by Pope Francis as a time of great celebration and spiritual renewal, presents the perfect opportunity for Lough Derg to join forces with Ireland's other two major pilgrimage sites nominated by the Irish Bishops as destinations for pilgrims during the Jubilee Year 2025. The 'Pilgrim Passport' is a bespoke booklet that encourages visitors to embark and reflect on a spiritual journey across Ireland, exploring the country's rich heritage and deep-rooted faith. 
 
"We are delighted to partner with our friends at Knock Shrine and Croagh Patrick to bring this unique initiative to life," said Monsignor La Flynn, Prior of Lough Derg. "The Pilgrim Passport invites individuals to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with their spiritual roots amidst the beauty and tranquillity of Ireland's sacred landscapes."
 
As part of the project, pilgrims visiting each of the three sites can receive a stamp in their passport, serving as a poignant reminder of their journey. At Lough Derg, the annual schedule of One Day Retreats, the Three Day Pilgrimage, and other opportunities for pilgrimage will take place through Jubilee Year 2025, tying into the theme of the Jubilee, “Pilgrims of Hope”. 

"Lough Derg has been a place of pilgrimage with roots that go back for 1,500 years, and we are honoured to be part of this historic partnership," added Monsignor Flynn. "We look forward to welcoming pilgrims from far and wide as they undertake this spiritual journey across Ireland." 
 
The 'Pilgrim Passport' is now available at Lough Derg, Knock Shrine and Croagh Patrick, or can be downloaded and printed at home from www.pilgrimpassport.ie. 

We also welcome all walking / rambler groups who wish to experience the Path. 
 
Free Event  |   Booking Required    |    Donations Welcome
 
Email   [email protected]  or telephone   +353 (0)71 986 1518    for booking info.
 
Further date to  join us for our Lakeshore  Pilgrimage along the Pilgrim Path  on Sunday 31st September are   available to book on our website  here.