Knock Shrine in County Mayo Ireland is a pilgrim’s retreat in the national and international scene. People from neighbouring counties and from all over the world visit this little village to pay homage to the site of the apparition.
According to credible witnesses, there were locals who have seen the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, Saint John the Evangelist, angels, and Jesus Christ (the Lamb of God) on one evening of August 1879.
Driving from Cobh to knock is a little more than 3 hours, and to be honest it can be quite tiring if you want to make a day trip out of it. But if you have time, i would suggest you book a room for at least a night for a more relaxed journey.
If you are starting at Cobh and are doing this as a Catholic Church tour, don’t forget to check out our very own St Colman’s Cathedral before you leave.
There are three great churches inside the Knock Shrine compound. There is the Knock Parish Church which is the village church since 1828. Dedicated to St John the Baptist, this historic church has been restored for all parishoners and visitors.
The second church is the Apparition Chapel, true to its name it is the spot where the apparition appears in 1879. This quiet chapel is highlighted by the white Carrara marble carvings of Our Lady with St. Joseph to her right and St. John the Evangelist to her left.
And lastly, there is the magnificent Basilica of Our Lady Queen of Ireland with its impressive mosaic presentation of the Apparition (see above). This artwork is said to be the largest of its kind in Europe, comprising 1.5 million pieces of individual mosaic tiles.
The Knock Shrine is open all year round, and if you are planning a visit and attending a mass, just be sure to check the times on their website. The estate also has a beautiful garden, a museum with coffee shop and a book shop. If you also want to bring back a holy water, they have a designated filling station for that.
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