Fly Aer Lingus to Purgatory

Medieval map showing location of purgatory and the island of Brazil

Did you know that purgatory was in Northern Ireland? This was an established fact already by the late Middle Ages; it once regularly appeared so on world maps.






The entrance was a two-foot by three-foot cave on an island in Lough Derg, in County Donegal.









St. Partrick discovers the mouth of purgatory.










By legend, the cave was originally discovered by St. Patrick in a vision. He used it as a proof to the Irish of the reality of the afterlife and the need for repentance. And, by all accounts, it worked. It grew to become a major pilgrimage site for people from all over Europe. We have several literary accounts of actual pilgrimages, which include vivid descriptions of the tortures of the underworld. Having been on the pilgrimage to Patrick's Purgatory established a reputation similar to that of having been initiated into the mystery religions of ancient Greece. It was understood to be truly life-changing.









One of the sights of purgatory, according to a Medieval traveller's account.










Oddly, considering the great tourist potential, the cave entrance has been sealed since 1632. The consequences of doing otherwise may have been too terrible to contemplate.






Happy St. Patrick's Day!