St Patrick’s Purgatory

Guided Tours

2011 Pilgrimage and Retreat Information.

Wednesday 9th March: Day of Friendship and Prayer (Inter-church) - Now an integral part of the Lough Derg calendar, we are glad to launch our 2011 Season with this special day oof friendship and prayer. Whether you’ve been to the Island or not, we would be delighted if you could bring friends from other Churches to experience this sacred place. Boats will run from 10:30am. Bishop Ken Clarke will give the address at 12:00noon; this will be followed by lunch and some time for to explore and experience the tranquility of the Island.

Day Retreats: 1st May to 30th May, 17th August to 20th September - Day Retreats are held on specific dates throughout May and again in late August and September. Booking is essential for these retreats. On arrival there are light refreshments and an opportunity to meet fellow retreatants. A set programme is offered, allowing pilgrims to join with others in time-honoured prayer forms as well as giving some personal time. Cost €30 includes boat fare and lunch.

Traditional Three-Day Pilgrimage: 1st JUne to 13th August - Reputed to be the most challenging pilgrimage in the Christian world, the traditional Three-Day Pilgrimage remains intact after more than 1000 years - walking, praying, fasting on a remote island once considered to be at the edge of the world. Take this opportunity to step out of your ordinary routine for three days and experience something deeper, something real - reconnect and rediscover! Cost €55 includes boat fare and accommodation. *Reduced fee for online booking

Family Day: Friday 19th August - A rare opportunity for you and your children (grandchildren, nieces, nephews) to enjoy the special nature of the Sanctuary as a family, before going back to school. During the morning there are special age-appropriate activities for children: adults will have an opportunity for more traditional prayer and devotions. In the afternoon children and adults come together for a Family Mass. Cost €20* per adult and €10* per child. Includes boat fare and lunch. *Special rates for families

Reflection Days - New for 2011: 3rd May and 7th September - A guided quiet day is a wonderful chance to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the Island whilst having an opportunity to reflect and grow spiritually. This day will be led by a speaker who will guide you through the day. The programme includes discussion, occasional individual exercises to work on and time for silence. Throughout the day you are free to enjoy the soothing scenery and prayerful environment. Cost €20 per person Includes boat fare and lunch (numbers are limited)

Quiet Days (Unguided) 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th May, 1st, 8th and 15th September - Keen to experience this sacred space but in your own time and in your own way? Then come and enjoy the silence and tranquility; an unguided time for contemplation and reflection. Cost: €25 per person includes boat fare and light lunch. Numbers are limited.

Exploring Spirituality Through Art - New for 2011: Wednesday 25th May - Interested in expressing your spirituality through art, or using art to explore your spirituality? This new retreat is open to artists who may wish to explore their spirituality and creativity within a special setting such as Lough Derg…uniterrupted landscapes in a sanctuary that has been part of our Celtic and Christian heritage for at least 1000 years offers an inspiring and calming environment. Cost €35

Life’s Journey Series 2011 - Workships designed to engage and inspire - various topics will be addressed with an exciting array of speakers. Some are integrated into the regular Day Retreats, while others are specific days of their own. Lough Derg’s motto “a place of welcome for all” is at the heat of this initiative; subject matters and speakers which will appeal to everyone - we hope you find one that speaks to you.

Included within Day Retreats:

Saturday 14th May: Meditation for Beginners Monday 16th May: Guided Prayer Monday 22nd August: Living in the Present Saturday 27th August: Understanding Children Tuesday 30th August: Guided Prayer Sunday 4th September: A Day with the Angels Wednesday 14th September: Meditation for Beginners

Full Day Friday 20th May: Mother and Daughter Retreat Friday 9th September: Father and Son Retreat Cost €30 per person includes boat fare and light lunch. Full workshop description available upon request.

Youth Events - New for 2011 Saturday 6th August - Monday 8th August: Youth Pilgrimage - Looking for something different this summer? Take time out to clear your head before starting college or preparing for a career after graduating; share an experience that pilgrims have been doing for centuries. The programme is the same as for the traditional Three-Day Pilgrimage but on the second day there will be several workshops designed to help you look ahead and bring you direction and focus. Meet up with other young people from all over the country and beyond…a detox for the soul!

Pure Oxygen - All night music vigil: Thursday 25th and Friday 26th August - Oxygen is widely regarded as one of the world’s top music festivals and it’s Irish. Lough Derg is Irish - and 1500 years old! Pure Oxygen Lough Derg’s first ever Christian music festival is offered in a location that’s got to surpass any other festival site - located on an island in the middle of nowhere. This all-night music festival of fantastic bands and great people will be one gig you won’t want to miss. Catch the boat during the day and enjoy the celebration of music all night long. More information to be announced.

Groups

To make a group booking please contact Lough Derg on 00 353 71 9861518 visit our website, www.loughderg.org or email info@loughderg.org

School Visits

Lough Derg offers a programme of Tailor-made retreats for each visiting school or youth group. These retreats are experiential in nature, with young people enjoying scripture, art, literature and music in an atmosphere of sharing and self-discovery. The underlying aim is the same for all who take part - discovering who you really are and how you can become a better person. It’s an opportunity to take time out from the pressures of exams and the busy schedule of school, assignments, sports, socialising, phones, etc. School or youth retreats are offered to A-Level students only given the limited dated available. Cost for 2011 is €30 per student. For further information please contact Deborah by emailing manager@loughderg.org

Times

Island services are only available to those on retreat. Unfortunately given the nature of our location we are unable to offer regular, scheduled daily or weekend services outside the traditional pilgrimage season.

Link

Worship page

Retreat Centre, Visitor Centre, St Mary’s Blessed Sacrament Chapel, Dormitory style accommodation for up to 300, 11 ensuite rooms, 6 single, 9 double. Meals provided or self catering available. Souvenir and Gift Shop and administration services.

The locality offers excellent angling and hill walking for the outdoor enthusiast.

Owing to the nature of our three day pilgrimage, pilgrims are required to be able bodied and in good physical health to endure the rigours and challenges presented by the pilgrimage which involves fasting and completing a 24 hour vigil with no sleep. The island is accessible to all able bodied and disabled at other times specifically during the One Day Retreats. Wheelchairs can be provided upon request and all facilities including dining room, church and confessionals are wheelchair friendly.