St. Patrick’s Purgatory, more commonly referred to as Lough Derg because of its location in the lake of the same name in County Donegal, is a pilgrimage site which dates back to the 5th Century. Since then, for over 1500 years, it has been a place of Christian pilgrimage and prayer.
The pilgrimage takes place on Station Island, and it has Saint Patrick as its patron. The original monastery on Saints Island in the same lake claimed Saint Davog, one of Patrick’s disciples, as its founder abbot.
Mainly due to restrictions of weather conditions, the pilgrimage season is a relatively short one: the traditional Three Day Pilgrimage runs from the beginning of June to August 15th; Day Retreats are held on selected dates May, late August and September; we welcome schools and other groups for retreats during March, April, May, and once the Three Day Pilgrimage has concluded, in September and October.
The pilgrimage takes place on Station Island, and it has Saint Patrick as its patron. The original monastery on Saints Island in the same lake claimed Saint Davog, one of Patrick’s disciples, as its founder abbot.
Mainly due to restrictions of weather conditions, the pilgrimage season is a relatively short one: the traditional Three Day Pilgrimage runs from the beginning of June to August 15th; Day Retreats are held on selected dates May, late August and September; we welcome schools and other groups for retreats during March, April, May, and once the Three Day Pilgrimage has concluded, in September and October.
