National Novena to Our Lady of Knock

Ceremonies will take place in the Basilica at 3pm and 8pm over the course of the nine days with guest speakers present during each ceremony. Each evening, we will  hold a candlelight procession, a traditional feature of the Novena at Knock, which takes place following the 8pm ceremony (weather permitting).

Family Day takes place on Sunday, August 16th from 11am to 3pm in the Shrine gardens. There will be a range of outdoor activities taking place on the green (weather permitting) and marquees with indoor workshops, games and more. Family Day is a lovely opportunity for families to get together and enjoy a fun day out at Knock Shrine. All events and activities are free of charge.

Friday, August 21st is the anniversary of the Apparition. This is always a very special day here at Knock Shrine for our parishioners and pilgrims as we gather to celebrate the evening of Thursday, August 21st 1879, when Our Lady appeared at the gable wall of the Parish Church, accompanied by St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist. Central to the Apparition was the appearance of the Lamb on the altar, unique to the Knock Apparition.

Highlights of the evening will include the Witness Walk, when we follow in the footsteps of the villagers , as they made their way from their homesteads to the Parish Church on that wet August evening in 1879.

Guest Speakers

Thursday August 13^th   

Mary Kennedy  “Faith in full view” (3pm & 8pm)

Friday, August 14^th 

Aidan Gallagher, Cenacolo Community, Knock “From Addiction to Healing” (3pm & 8pm)

Saturday, August 15^th  

 Bishop Niall Coll, Diocese of Raphoe “Our Lady: A Quiet Shelter of God’s Love” (3pm)

Niamh McCann  ‘Beyond the rainbow’  (8pm)

Sunday, August 16^th  : Family Day

Bishop Kevin Doran, Bishop of Elphin and Achonry  Annual Diocesan Pilgrimage (3pm)

Sandra Cullen  ‘Faith in the Era of AI’ (8pm)

Monday, August 17^th      

Sheila Murphy  ‘From Mass to Meadow: Living Our Faith Outdoors’ (3pm & 8pm)

Tuesday, August 18^th      

Mario Nunis  ‘Faith in My Pocket’ (3pm & 8pm)

Wednesday, August 19^th      

David Wells  ‘Enjoy your life – Make it happen’ (3pm & 8pm)

Thursday, August 20^th      

Deacon Mark Paine   ‘A church for everyone’ (3pm & 8pm)

Friday, August 21^st  : Anniversary of the Knock Apparition     

Fr Paul Murphy, Irish Defence Forces Chaplain  ‘The Healing Power of Love’ (3pm)

Fr Richard Gibbons, PP  ‘Knock and still they come’ (8pm)

Family Day 2026

Sunday, August 16th 

11am to 3pm

Family Day at Knock Shrine is a special opportunity for families of all ages to come together in faith, prayer and community. The day will begin with a special blessing of families in the Parish Church at 11am.

Family Day is a lovely opportunity for families to get together and enjoy a fun day out at Knock Shrine. All events and activities are free of charge and will take place in  the beautiful grounds of Knock Shrine. There will be a range of outdoor activities taking place on the green (weather permitting) and marquees with indoor workshops, games and more.

Events and activities will include:

Kite Making – Design your own kite

Face Painting

Arts and Crafts

Drumming

Dance

Puppetry

Games on the Green