Lough Derg Place of Pilgrimage

Lough Derg, reached from Pettigo in County Donegal, is one of Ireland’s oldest and most enduring places of pilgrimage. Station Island in the lough, long known as St Patrick’s Purgatory, has drawn pilgrims for centuries and remains an active site of prayer, retreat and reflection.

The island is given over to its basilica and pilgrimage buildings, with structured retreats and the traditional three-day pilgrimage taking place through the season. Boats carry pilgrims out from the shore, and the quiet, water-bound setting is central to the experience.