A Car Trip to Our Lady of Knock Shrine in Mayo

Ireland’s religious history is a particularly compelling feature of the country. One of the most popular religious sites is the National Shrine of our Lady of Knock in County Mayo. Devotees believe that in 1879 an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Joseph and St John the Evangelist all appeared at St John the Baptist Parish Church in Knock, where they could be viewed for approximately two hours.

 

Some believe that the sighting was only legendary or at least exaggerated. Others wholeheartedly embrace it as an historical and miraculous event. Of course, belief in the event is not essential to enjoying the site. It grew from a local attraction to a worldwide pilgrimage site in the last quarter of the 20th century. Pope John Paul II came in 1979, followed by Mother Teresa in 1993. On top of this, more than one and a half million visitors and pilgrims arrive on a yearly basis.

 

Having a hire car in County Mayo simplifies a visit to Knock Shrine. Given the volume of pilgrims that visit throughout the year, there are packaged tours running from major cities. However, these haul in dozens of tourists at a time, which means you’ll be jockeying with crowds in your effort to glimpse the shrine. Knock is an admittedly small town, and those who show up at off hours are much more likely to avoid the crowds.

 

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