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The northern shore of the lake
"On the northern shore of the lake, near where the River Derg debouches, may be seen a beautiful white strand. Smoothly-rounded pebbles, small shells and Crustacea, such as may be seen on the sea-shore, are here to be met with..."
Tags: beach, Carry Mouth, Daniel O'Connor, hills, mountains, northern shore, pearls, River Derg, shellfish, watershed
Boating accidents on the lake
"Taking into account what angry storms sometimes sweep over the lake, lashing its waves into great fury, it is a merciful dispensation of Providence that more accidents have not occurred here..."
Tags: accidents, boating, Daniel O'Connor, disaster, storms
The 1795 disaster
"But the most lamentable catastrophe of all happened here in 1795 — a catastrophe which for many years cast a gloom over the place..."
The waves of the Lough
“…[T]here were times, some of which are fresh in my memory, when the pilgrims' boat ran considerable risk from the waves, and when the skill and energy of such experienced boatmen as Pat M'Kane, of Seeavoc, were taxed to the utmost..."
Tags: commercialism, danger, Daniel O'Connor, improvements, lake, tourism, weather
The origin of Lough Derg's name
"There are two different opinions to account for the meaning of the denomination, Lough Derg..."
"I felt ashamed for human nature"
"In a short time I arrived at the island, and as stepping out of the boat, I planted my foot on the rocks of this scene of human absurdity..."
The stones of Station Island
“The island called St. Patrick's Purgatory is altogether rocky, and rather level : without the compass of the island, in the water towards the north east, about two yards from the shore stand certain rocks..."
The "wine" of Station Island
"In all, the pilgrims remain on the island nine days—they eat but once in the twenty-four hours, of oatmeal and water—they have liberty to refresh themselves with the water of the lake..."
Otway muses on the metaphor of birds
"Having thus given the modern and ancient state of this purgatory, it is time to think of leaving it; and I confess I prepared to turn my back on this strong hold of superstition, without a desire ever again to visit it..."
The poteen shack
"The only picturesque object I observed, as we rowed towards shore, was a little island in the centre of the Lough, on which there was a hut..."