As the Jubilee Year 2025 unfolds, a particular pilgrimage invites travelers from around the globe to immerse themselves in Ireland’s rich Catholic heritage. The “Pilgrim Passport” invites visitors to explore the three iconic pilgrimage sites of Croagh Patrick and Knock Shrine in County Mayo and Lough Derg in County Donegal. 

The concept is simple and profound, inspired by the “Camino” spirit and built on the Irish pilgrimage tradition. 

Pilgrims who visit each site will receive a stamp in their special Jubilee passport, serving as a tangible reminder of their spiritual journey and the deep-rooted tradition of pilgrimage in Ireland, which dates back to medieval times.

Lough Derg

Lough Derg is a revered pilgrimage site known for its historic roots, serene beauty and deep spiritual significance. 

Nestled on the tranquil waters of Lough Derg, now dominated by St. Patrick’s Basilica, Station Island has been a destination for seekers of the deeper values in a tradition that goes back to the Celtic monastery founded by St. Davog 1,500 years ago. In medieval times, it became famous across Europe as the “Purgatory of St. Patrick.”  

Pilgrims to Lough Derg can participate in a three-day pilgrimage that offers a living experience of the spiritual practices that were characteristic of the Celtic monastic tradition, including prayer, fasting and communal worship, allowing them to reconnect with their faith and find solace. Other one-day retreat experiences, quiet days and residential retreats are also available.

Msgr. Laurence (La) Flynn, prior of Lough Derg, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration.

“We are thrilled to join forces with our friends at Knock Shrine and Croagh Patrick to bring this extraordinary initiative to life. Pilgrimage, especially in a jubilee year, invites individuals to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with the deeper things.” He further noted the privilege of undertaking this journey amid “the beauty and tranquility of Ireland’s sacred landscapes.”

Papal Visits to Knock

Knock is Ireland’s international Eucharistic and Marian shrine. Pope St. John Paul II (1979) and Pope Francis (2018) both made a personal pilgrimage to Knock Shrine a cornerstone of their pastoral visits to Ireland. Since the apparition of Aug. 21, 1879, pilgrims and visitors from all four corners of the world have been welcomed to Knock Shrine.

“As we celebrate Jubilee Year 2025, we remember the profound impact that pilgrimage has had on Irish people throughout history,” Father Richard Gibbons, Knock’s rector, said, welcoming the Jubilee plan. “This collaborative effort allows us to honor that legacy while fostering a deeper sense of the collective faith and community among pilgrims from all walks of life.”

Joe Gallagher from County Tyrone, Ireland, explained the significance of the Knock shrine to Irish Catholics. 

“Pope St. John Paul II has a great quote about Knock. He visited Knock when he came to Ireland; they put up a big Celtic cross in the middle of the site. John Paul II said, ‘This is the most important place in Ireland,’ and that is written at the bottom of the cross.”

Gallagher added, “It’s a very spiritual place. In 1879, the Blessed Virgin appeared there along with St. John and St. Joseph; the Irish people were at their lowest ebb after the famine ... had basically lost half their population — a quarter through disease and a quarter through emigration. They had no hope; then Our Lady appeared and lifted them out of that despair. She showed them that there was hope, and there was another world.”

“I have been there twice this year. In the past, I did two silent retreats there; I got a lot out of it,” he said.

This summer will be Gallagher’s 45th Lough Derg pilgrimage. He describes the distinct nature of the pilgrimage, which some experts claim is referenced in Dante’s Inferno: “It’s a very powerful prayer. You’re praying with your senses; you’re praying with your bare feet, your bare feet walking over bare stones. Also, you’re praying with your body: You’re staying awake. You do your 24-hour vigil, staying awake; it’s very hard to stay awake. Then the prayer cycle: You pray for an hour, don’t pray for an hour. You do your nine stations; that’s nine hours of prayer. Then you’re depriving the body of food, too. You get a great sense of camaraderie, too.”

Croagh Patrick

Croagh Patrick in County Mayo is Ireland’s holiest mountain and where St. Patrick spent 40 days fasting. Every year, it attracts thousands of visitors from around the world, culminating in “Reek Sunday” on the last Sunday in July. Mass is said on the summit, where there is a small chapel and some pilgrims may climb the mountain barefoot as an act of penance. 

Father John Kenny, administrator of Westport parish and custodian of Croagh Patrick sacred mountain, also approves of the “passport” initiative. “Croagh Patrick is honored to be part of this historic partnership. The Pilgrim Passport offers an inspiring way for people to explore their faith and connect with Ireland’s stunning natural beauty.”

Schira McGoldrick, of Portstewart, County Derry, recalled for the Register the sheer, breathtaking beauty on the summit of Croagh Patrick: “Croagh Patrick is a very beautiful location, and on the summit, you can definitely feel peace and a closeness to God. There was a light sea mist when we were there, and it gave the mountain a prayerfulness. It is an arduous climb, but a different pilgrimage from Lough Derg, which is an entirely different experience but still rewarding.”

To enhance the pilgrim experience further, the three sites plan to host a series of special events throughout Jubilee Year 2025, complementing their regular offerings. Themed “Pilgrims of Hope,” these events will include guided pilgrimages, spiritual retreats, informative talks, engaging workshops, concerts and exhibitions that highlight the religious and cultural significance of each location.

As the “Pilgrim Passport” initiative takes shape, it stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of pilgrimage in Ireland, inviting all to embark on a journey of faith and discovery amidst the sacred landscapes of this remarkable country.

“Lough Derg has been a place of pilgrimage with roots that go back for 1,500 years,” explained Msgr. Flynn. “We look forward to welcoming pilgrims from far and wide as they undertake this spiritual journey across Ireland.”

LEARN MORE

The “Pilgrim Passport” is now available at Lough Derg, Knock Shrine and Croagh Patrick, or can be downloaded and printed at home from PilgrimPassport.ie.