Our Location

Avondale Guest House is situated on the outskirts of Pettigo village within easy driving distance of many of the larger towns and must visit areas of the north and north west of Ireland including Lough Derg.

Enniskillen - 20 miles
Omagh - 25 miles
Donegal Town - 16 miles
Ballyshannon - 18 miles

Our central location is ideal for touring counties Donegal, Tyrone and Fermanagh and there are many wonderful scenic drives that allow you to take in much of the wonderful natural landscape that has made this region of Ireland popular with visitors the world over.

Lough Derg:-

Lough Derg lies about four miles north of the village of Pettigo in County Donegal. Station Island, the location of the Pilgrimage, is often referred to as Saint Patrick's Purgatory or simply Lough Derg.

While Lough Derg has been renowned as a place of pilgrimage for thousands of years, and is more commonly associated with penance and purgatory, pilgrims are more conscious these days of the spiritual atmosphere of the Island. In today's noisy and hectic world, people appreciate a haven of peace.

The tradition of the historical three-day pilgrimage has been preserved but additional services have also been offered in recent years. The introduction of these new services; one day retreats, youth retreats and special group retreats, allow people the opportunity to experience this sacred place when age or disability might otherwise prevent them from participating in the traditional pilgrimage.

Whether the tradition that connects Saint Patrick with Lough Derg is old and ancient, or one of numberless products of the fertile Irish imagination, is a question that cannot be settled with certainty. No ancient and trustworthy document speaks of the Saint as having visited Lough Derg. On the other hand it must be remembered that the Itinerary of Saint Patrick, constructed by Tírechán about the year 700AD, brings the Apostle into the district of Donegal. There is mention of a number of churches founded by Saint Patrick in this area. It is possible that the Patrick interrupted his missionary labours in South Donegal and retired for a spell of prayer and penance into a cave on the lonely lake.

Patrick is reputed to have left a disciple by the name of Dabheoc or Davog in charge of this area. His name survives in the nearby townland of Seadavog (Davog's seat). For centuries the whole locality was called Termon Davog.

To find out more about Lough Derg, the three day pilgrimage and special retreats visit the Lough Derg website.

Visit www.loughderg.org