The pilgrimage centre on Lough Derg in County Donegal has attracted a record number of applicants for summer work.
A total of 140 people are looking for summer work at the island site,
often referred to as Saint Patrick's Purgatory, but there are only
fifty positions available altogether.
According to its website,
applications for the positions closed on Friday March 11 and it is hoped
to begin the interviewing process on Monday April 4.
Applicants were asked to specify on the application form whether they
wish to be considered for the Day Retreat or the Three Day Pilgrimage.
They were also asked for their preferred period of work namely from
June 1 to July 8 or, July 9 to August 15.
Speaking this week on local radio Lough Derg Prior Richard Mohan said
that applications this year had been way up on previous years and that
“this may be due to the recession.”
He said that the positions that were been interviewed for include
housekeeping and dormitory work, as well as kitchen work, administrative
work, boat crew and temporary sacristans.
The 1,000-year-old Lough Derg pilgrimage site is widely known for its
austere conditions. Pilgrims have one daily meal of dry toast and
black tea or coffee unless they are on a 72-hour fast.
They must go
barefoot and give up using their items such as mobile phones, laptops
and MP3 / iPods.