 If you'd like to hear more about what makes Lough Derg so special — and why it continues to resonate with so many people, including a growing number of younger pilgrims — we'd encourage you to listen to a recent interview with Father Eamon Conway on Spirit Radio, where he speaks beautifully about the island, its history, and what draws people back year after year. Listen Here: Lough Derg’s Fr Eamon Conway – Spirit Radio
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For the 2026 season, Lough Derg is pleased to introduce a new option for pilgrims — the opportunity to stay overnight on Station Island on the evening prior to beginning either the Three Day Pilgrimage or a One Day Retreat.
Background The decision to offer pre-pilgrimage accommodation has come in direct response to a practical difficulty that many pilgrims have raised in recent years. The gradual decline in hotel and bed and breakfast accommodation in the Pettigo area and its surrounds has made it increasingly difficult for those travelling long distances to secure a suitable place to stay the night before their pilgrimage begins. This offering addresses that gap directly. The Accommodation The pre-pilgrimage accommodation is located on the third floor of the ‘new’ 1988 hostel on Station Island. The cubicles on this floor were upgraded during the winter and spring of 2025/2026 and offer a modest step up from the standard hostel accommodation that regular pilgrims will already be familiar with. The upgrade is straightforward — improved comfort and a greater degree of privacy — while remaining entirely in keeping with the simple character of life on the Island. It should be noted clearly that this is not hotel accommodation. The essential simplicity that defines Station Island is maintained fully. Meals Dinner is included for all pre-pilgrimage overnight guests, whether arriving ahead of the Three Day Pilgrimage or a One Day Retreat. Those staying the night before a One Day Retreat will also receive breakfast the following morning, in keeping with the fact that the One Day Retreat does not involve fasting. Pilgrims arriving the evening before beginning the Three Day Pilgrimage will, of course, commence the Lough Derg fast in the usual way at midnight. How to Book Pre-pilgrimage accommodation can be booked by contacting the office directly by email [email protected]g or by phone +353 (0) 71 986 1518. Places on the third floor are limited, and early booking is advised. The introduction of this accommodation reflects the ongoing effort to remove practical barriers for pilgrims while preserving, without compromise, the nature and spirit of the pilgrimage itself. The staff at Lough Derg look forward to welcoming pilgrims to the Island — and now, for those who need it, to welcoming them an evening earlier. |
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Lough Derg
Sanctuary of Saint Patrick Pettigo County Donegal F94 PC60 |
Phone: +353 (0) 71 9861518
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Email: [email protected]
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