For the first time since 1828, the traditional three-day pilgrimage will not take place on Lough Derg this summer. The decision to suspend the season was confirmed this morning by the Prior of the pilgrimage island in Co Donegal, though it did not come as a surprise.
On 1 June, the normal start of the season, Fr La Flynn travelled to Lough Derg to stay there alone until 15 August, the end of the usual season, to ensure that the centuries old tradition of prayer on the island would remain unbroken.
He explained then that the last time the three-day pilgrimage season had been suspended in 1828 was due to a row with boat-men over issues including the sale of poitín to pilgrims.