The Pilgrims of Lough Derg (3)

"I've been coming here for 59 years. I came twice in some years too.

The first time I came, I was only halfway around the first bed and I said to myself — in the name of God, what brought me up here? I had no intention of coming back.

But I don't know what it is. It just draws you back. You'll say never, never again — but by the time you're halfway home, the feeling is gone. And you'll be back next year.

I only missed one year. The year of Bloody Sunday.

A priest asked me to organise a pilgrimage for his parish, so I came with them. Then another group asked the same. Once you organise, you have to come with them — you can't send people somewhere you won't go yourself.

In the old days I'd have a bus of fifty-seven pilgrims, with a waiting list to get on it. 59 years of organising trips, bringing thousands of people to this island.
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It just draws you back."