Knock

Set in Northwest Mayo, the village of Knock is home to one of the most famous Marian Shrines of the world. Knock rose to prominence as a place of pilgrimage in 1879 when 15 people saw a vision of the Blessed Virgin. Prior to the apparition, the village of Knock was insignificant, consisting of a handful of thatched whitewashed cottages. When news of the apparition spread, thousands of pilgrims flocked to Knock bringing with them their sick. And numerous miracles have been recorded at Knock. The first recorded cure took place ten days after the apparition. A 12-year old girl was cured of deafness whilst attending mass at Knock. In 1979, Pope John Paul II came as a pilgrim to Knock Shrine- the goal of his journey to Ireland. An estimated 1.5 million people visit Knock each year, many on private pilgrimage.