APPENDIX VI

THE PATRICIAN PILGRIMAGES

THERE were in ancient times four famous pilgrimages to places sanctified by the fastings, prayers, and special blessing of St. Patrick, namely, Armagh, Downpatrick, Croaghpatrick, and Lough Derg. The two former, having been for many centuries in the hands of Protestants, have almost ceased to be places of pilgrimage, but the latter are as much frequented in our own times by pious pilgrims as at any time in the past; and of these we propose to give a somewhat fuller account.