The suppression of the pilgrimage

The suppression of the pilgrimage

Lough Derg--Vicinity--Purgatory--Travel guide

An account of the religious history of Lough Derg for the traveller.

J. B. Doyle

Tours in Ulster: A hand-book to the antiquities and scenery of the north of Ireland.
By J. B. Doyle. With numerous illustrations, chiefly from the author's sketch-book, pp. 366-67

Hodges and Smith, Dublin

1854

Digitised by Google, sponsored by New York Public Library, archived on Hathi Trust digital library

Public domain

Handbook

English

Travel guide

DD_0486

54.6083, -7.8714

"The description given by Bishop Jones, in 1647, will apply in many respects to the place at present. He notices the little cross of St. Patrick, part broken, part standing, just as it is now. In his time there were six saints' beds, or beds of penance (there are seven). ‘Pilgrims are continually praying or kneeling at those beds, and they are compassed around with sharp stones, and difficult passages for the accommodation of the barefooted.’ He also notices the stones, ‘which are the memorials of some that are elsewhere buried;’ also the ‘thatched cabins, and place for shriving or confession ; the same period of ‘nine days for pilgrims to remain on the island,’ as now ; quoting Eoth, he also notices the virtue of the water of the lake for drinking, &c.

Thus in the nineteenth century, the superstitions of Lough Derg, which have so often been condemned by Popes and dignitaries, and suppressed by Governments, and generally discouraged by the regular clergy, still continue to attract thousands of annual votaries. When will the faithful minister of Christ stand upon those desolate shores and speak to the weary-hearted pilgrims the true words of comfort : ‘Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money ; come ye, buy, and eat ; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.’"

396 p. illus. 17 cm.