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Visit of Pope Francis to Knock 26 Aug 2018

Pope Francis to visit Knock ShrineTICKETS TO ATTEND VISIT OF POPE FRANCIS TO KNOCK SHRINE ARE NOW BOOKED OUT

This event is taking place at Knock Shrine on Sunday 26 August. Every adult and every child in attendance will require a ticket to access the Shrine on 26th August 2018. Under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult. All tickets will be for standing sections.
You will not receive your ticket for entry immediately upon booking – tickets will be sent to you via post to the delivery address you provided. Tickets will be posted closer to the event date but prior to 10th August,  along with details of how to get to your location in Knock.

The World Meeting of Families 2018 is open to all. It is expected that many families, parish and diocesan groups will attend this historic event and will offer support to members of their group with accessibility requirements. There is an application process in place for those with accessibility requirements.
Those who have registered for tickets can expect to receive them from Monday 13 August.
For further information regarding tickets, please view the Tickets FAQ

Transport Information

The National Transport Authority (NTA), An Gardaí Síochána and public transport operators outlined the comprehensive transportation plan and road closure system to be put in place for the Visit of Pope Francis. The Traffic Management Plan includes important information regarding road closures, parking and transport.

View the Official Traffic Plan for Knock Shrine visit

If you are planning to attend any of the World Meeting of Families 2018 events in Dublin, please find out more here.


Schedule of Events at Knock

From 8.30am on the morning of Sunday August 26th 2018, there will be a Gathering Event where pilgrims will be led in prayer and reflection until the arrival of the Holy Father. It will focus on the Story of Knock through the testimony of the apparition witnesses and Pope Francis’s call to witness to the joy of faith and family in our contemporary world. Music for the occasion will be provided by Knock Parish Choir with guest musicians and soloists.

Upon arrival at the Shrine, the Holy Father will move through the assembly in the Pope Mobile arriving at the Apparition Gable towards 10am where he will be met by the Rector of the Shrine Fr Richard Gibbons. His Holiness will spend some time in silent prayer at the site of the apparition before exiting the chapel to deliver a short address and lead pilgrims in the Angelus Prayer before departing for Ireland West Airport, Knock and returning to Dublin.

Directly after the Holy Father has departed from Knock, there will be a concelebrated open-air Mass for the Twenty First Sunday of Ordinary Time with Fr Richard Gibbons as the main celebrant and homilist.

A more detailed information pack with regard to the events at Knock will follow nearer the event.

See further information on the Papal Visit including important information regarding transport and parking at Knock Shrine


Media Section 

If you are a member of the press and would like to attend the Knock visit, please find out more here

 


 

Important Information regarding Knock Shrine Visit Sunday 26 August 2018


Road closures in place from 6pm on Saturday evening, 25 August

From 6pm on Saturday the centre of Knock Village will be closed (except to residents). The N17 between Charlestown and Claremorris will be closed from 12 midnight on Saturday until at least 3pm on Sunday.

For those who live and work near Knock, a business and community liaison team is in place to handle queries, working closely with Claremorris Garda Station.

 

Get on a Private coach or carpool to and from the event

  • Join a parish or community coach group or carpool where possible, as car park spaces are limited and may be some walking distance from the Shrine
  • Coaches have a designated parking area on the N17. This will result in the shortest distance to walk to and from the Knock Shrine via a short walkway
  • There is a considerable walk from the car parks due to the size, scale and location of the event and there will be no shuttle bus facility available between car parks and the event site. If cars are necessary, carpooling and car sharing is essential
  • Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann will be providing public transport for this event. A bus shuttle service will operate from Claremorris train station to take people to Knock shrine.  For those who have a ticket for the event, the bus shuttle service will be free
  • No public viewing opportunities at Knock Airport
  • It will not be possible for the public to view Pope Francis arriving or departing due to security limitations
  • Those flying into and out of Ireland West Airport Knock on Sunday will have some access with strict limitations.  Only those named on airline passenger lists and those transporting named passengers will be able to access the airport between 12 midnight on Saturday and 11.30am on Sunday
  • Outbound passengers in particular are advised to allow more travel time than usual as there will be a number of security checks on airport access routes

Information updated on a regular basis on www.gov.ie/popeinireland, which will direct you to all the main information website pages