ONE OF Ireland’s toughest pilgrimages attracted more than 500 visitors over the weekend, the highest number in five years.
Yesterday marked the end of the season for the three-day Lough Derg pilgrimage, which requires pilgrims to go barefoot and endure a 72-hour fast.
Newcomers to the ancient pilgrimage site of St Patrick’s Purgatory in Donegal made up a significant percentage of the total pilgrim population, with 17 per cent taking part this year for the first time.
Among the countries represented at the weekend’s closing pilgrimage were Croatia, Nigeria, the Philippines, Latvia, Poland, Switzerland and Russia.
Over the past 10 years, some 30 different countries have been represented at the pilgrimage site, cementing its importance as an internationally recognised attraction. England, followed by Scotland and, notably, the US are the top three nationalities outside of Ireland to attend.
The weekend’s total attendance, at 506, is the second highest of the past decade. In 2004, some 547 pilgrims turned out for the final three day event of the season.
The highest number of pilgrims to complete the three day challenge over the past 10 years come from Dublin, followed by Donegal, Tyrone, Cork and Galway respectively. The male to female ratio is also shifting, with an average this season of 70 per cent women, although a marked increase in the attendance of men, especially young males of the post-university age group was noted, according to Lough Derg manager Deborah Maxwell.
Msgr Richard Mohan, prior of Lough Derg, said the continuing rise in the visitor numbers means that the tradition of Lough Derg as a pilgrimage remains strong.
People complete the challenge for a variety of personal reasons, according to Msgr Mohan.
“Many people come just to say thanks, they see it as a way to look at their lives, see where they are going. It helps to put perspective on things,” he said.
Visitors must keep a 24-hour vigil and complete nine “stations” – which involve walking and kneeling at a series of rocky penitentiary beds while reciting a continuous litany of prayers.
The season for three-day pilgrimages runs from the bank holiday June weekend until August 15th, after which a number of one day events take place until the site closes in November.