“We invite you to ‘Walk and Pray’ along the Lough Derg Pilgrim Path,” said Fr La Flynn. “I hope that those who long to be back at Lough Derg on Station Island may at least get to come this far.”

Striking the right balance between Covid-safety and welcoming pilgrims back to Lough Derg with confidence was the deciding factor, Fr La Flynn said and noted that by its very nature the pilgrimage is a tactile one.

Pilgrims are invited to take off their shoes and “do Lough Derg from afar”.

Lough Derg Prior Fr La Flynn, has issued an invitation for pilgrims to join him and the pastoral team for virtual one day retreats during the month of May. These day retreats will enable people to become part of a praying community in “real” time.

“People are talking more about the blessing of this place and the help and the comfort and the compassion of God that it offers.”

Book aims to open up Lough Derg to a new generation of pilgrims and rekindle its importance for people who have been many times.

Hundreds expected to cross the threshold of mercy on Sunday in St Patrick's Basilica at the launch of the 2016 pilgrimage season.

Numbers participating in three-day retreats down, but numbers attending one-day retreats up 16 percent.