Knock

On the 21st of August, 1879, Our Lady, St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist appeared at the south gable of Knock Parish Church. This Apparition was witnessed by fifteen people, young and old. From this miraculous occurrence Knock has grown to the status of an internationally recognised Marian Shrine. The personal pilgrimage of Pope John Paul II in 1979, commemorating the centenary of the Apparition, inspired an even greater devotion to the Shrine and endorsed the indelible seal of Vatican approval. Mother Teresa of Calcutta visited the Shrine in June of 1993. One and a half million pilgrims visit the Shrine annually.

Monsignor James Horan

Partry native, Monsignor James Horan, was Parish Priest of Knock from 1967 until 1986. A man of great energy and foresight and a tireless worker for his people, Msgr Horan undertook many marathon tasks to improve the facilities at Knock for parishioners and pilgrims alike. His main accomplishments during his time in Knock were:

• the building of the new Basilica of 'Our Lady, Queen of Ireland', which is large enough to accommodate 10,000 people and covers one acre of ground

• his invitation to Pope John Paul II to visit Knock for the centenary celebrations in 1979, which the Pope accepted, resulting in more than 450,000 people making the pilgrimage to Knock on that day

• he was instrumental in the building of the multi-million pound, Ireland West Airport Knock, which has developed in subsequent years into Ireland's fourth International Airport, with passenger numbers continually exceeding expectations