Pilgrimage Destinations Guide
Pilgrimages from Ireland West Airport Knock
Uniquely special pilgrimage experiences are offered to Fatima, Lourdes and Medjugorje. Enjoy a relaxing holiday with a spiritual focus that incorporates sightseeing and day trips in the area, with daily devotion.
For more information click on the links below:
| Tour Operator |
Days |
Frequency |
Tel Number |
Reservations |
 |
Various |
May – Oct |
+353 (0)1 241 0800 |
 |
Fatima is considered one of the world’s most famous Marian Shrines with over four million pilgrims visiting it every year to see the place where three village children saw a vision of the Virgin Mary on May 13 1917. The three shepherd children, Lúcia, Francisco and Jacinta, then saw five further visions on the 13th of every month.
The small town is now home to a gigantic Basilica capable of holding a million worshippers, which is larger than the piazza at St Peter’s in Rome. It was completed in 1953 and contains the tombs of Francisco and Jacinta, who died in the 1919 flu epidemic.
Pilgrims can avail of a full religious programme, as well as guided tours around Fatima including the place of the apparitions.
| Tour Operator |
Days |
Frequency |
Tel Number |
Reservations |
| |
Various |
May – Oct |
+353 (0)1 241 0800 |
|
With 6 million pilgrims visiting this small town every year, Lourdes is the most visited pilgrimage destination in Europe. Located at the foot of the Pyrenées, an estimated 200 million people have visited Lourdes since 11 February 1858 when Bernadette Soubirous, along with her sister and a friend gathering firewood in the Roc de Massabielle, saw a "beautiful lady" who continued to appear to her 18 times in total up to 16th July of the same year.
On the 13th apparition, on 28th February, the Lady said: "Go tell the priests to build a chapel here and come here in procession". On 25th March, during the 16th apparition the Lady revealed herself by saying, "I am the Immaculate Conception".
On 18th January 1962 the local bishop spoke on behalf of the church and confirmed "The Virgin Mary has truly appeared to Bernadette Soubirous". Today Lourdes is a place of universal meeting and sharing, prayer and celebration of life. The serenity and tranquility of Lourdes has brought peace of mind to many pilgrims.
There are also a number of ad-hoc pilgrimages with various pilgrimage operators including: United Irish Pilgrimages, Order of Malta, Larry Duffy Travel, Marian Pilgrimages
Pilgrimage Destinations in Ireland
For more information click on the links below:
www.knock-shrine.ie
The famous Knock Shrine is only a 15 minute drive from Ireland West Airport Knock.
The Story of Knock began on the 21st August 1879 when Our Lady, St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist appeared at the south gable of Knock Parish Church. The 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 Knock Shrine Office and shop is located on the ground floor of the terminal building, offering information on Knock Marian Shrine and Pilgrimages. See also www.knock-shrine.ie.
Opening Hours:
- Monday: 09:00am – 17:00pm
- Tuesday: 09:00am – 17:00pm
- Wednesday: 09:00am – 17:00pm
- Thursday: 09:00am – 17:00pm
- Friday: 09:00am – 17:00pm
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
www.museumsofmayo.com/croaghpatrick.htm
Croagh Patrick is only a 45 minute drive from Ireland West Airport Knock.
St Patrick reportedly spent 40 days and 40 nights fasting on this mountain in Mayo, but its reputation as a holy place predates even that event. In his efforts to bring Christianity to Ireland St Patrick adopted a successful strategy of holding Christian celebrations in places that were already used for Christian worship; Croagh Patrick was one such place. The belief is that it was associated in pre-Christian times with the festival of Lughnasa or the Harvest time.
Nowadays the main pilgrimage takes place on the last Sunday in July, when thousands of people climb the rough track to the top of the mountain, many of them walking barefoot in spite of the sharp stones underfoot. There are a number of 'stations' on the route where pilgrims recite prayers and perform rituals in order to gain penance.
www.loughderg.com
Lough Derg is approx a 2 hour drive from ireland West Airport Knock.
While Lough Derg has been renowned as a place of pilgrimage for thousands of years, and is more commonly associated with penance and purgatory, pilgrims are more conscious these days of the spiritual atmosphere of the Island. In today's noisy and hectic world, people appreciate a haven of peace.
The tradition of the historical three-day pilgrimage has been preserved but additional services have also been offered in recent years. The introduction of these new services; one day retreats, youth retreats and special group retreats, allow people the opportunity to experience this sacred place when age or disability might otherwise prevent them from participating in the traditional pilgrimage.