Pat (89) is oldest pilgrim at Lough Derg
LOCAL man Pat Martin, who is almost 90, has been honoured as the oldest pilgrim to visit Lough Derg this year. FIT and healthy Pat - who has made the gruelling pilgrimage to Lough Derg so many times he has ‘ lost count; - would put a man 50 years his junior to shame. ‘I’VE been doing it for years and years,’ he told the Drogheda Independent. ‘It’s not meant to be easy it’s meant to be a challenge. To be healthy enough to do it is a big bonus.’
Pat, who lives in Ardee, but is originally from Drumconrath, worked in men’s drapery until he was over 80. ‘I took early retirement then,’ he quipped.
A regular attendee on the Lough Derg pilgrimage, he was presented with a certificate recently by Fr Owen McEneaney.
‘I think it’s great to be able to do it, especially an aul fella like me,’ said Pat, who revealed he will turn 90 next September.
‘Age is all in the mind, I believe. You can be an old man at fifty. I’m not doing too badly at all.’
He said he was extremely surprised to be presented with the certificate confirming that he is the oldest pilgrim to visit Lough Derg this year.
‘ That was during the Mass on the Monday morning and I got a bit of a land because I wasn’t aware of it,’ said Pat.
He said he can’t remember when he started going to Lough Derg or how many times he’s been but believes he’s been there between 40 and 50 times.
‘It’s not easy, it’s not easy on the feet and you’re trying to stay awake but you do the best you can can and you keep going.’