Planning Your Visit to Knock Shrine

We look forward to welcoming you to Knock Shrine. Set in over 100 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, Ireland's International Eucharistic and Marian Shrine offers you the opportunity to take time for personal prayer and reflection.

The following information will assist you in planning your time, whether a few hours or a few days, here at Knock Shrine. Please select from the menu below.

Planning Your Visit

Masses are celebrated throughout the day at Knock Shrine, with musical accompaniment by a cantor and organist.

Please see the schedule of  daily Mass times and locations here.

The Traditional Station at Knock Shrine

The traditional Stations at Knock Shrine have been undertaken by pilgrims since the earliest days, reflecting the ancient Irish tradition of ‘praying the rounds’ at holy places.

This includes:

Praying the Rosary

A visit to the Blessed Sacrament in any of the Chapels

Following the Stations of the Cross

 

The Pilgrim’s Guide to Knock Shrine  is available to download here

 

The National Novena to Our Lady of Knock takes place from 14 – 22 August  each year.

Novena Ceremonies take place at 3pm & 8pm with Guest Speakers & Homilists. The outdoor candlelight procession takes place following the 8pm evening ceremonies (weather permitting). Anointing of the Sick takes place at 2.30pm each day.

 

 

This glass  chapel encompasses the gable wall of the Parish Church, site of the Apparition. The stunning Carrara  marble tableau is an exact representation of the Apparition, as described in the Witnesses’ accounts.

The Chapel is open for private prayer daily from 8am to 9pm.

 

This historic Church was constructed in 1828. Key features in this Church include examples of stained glass windows by Harry Clarke and Harry Clarke studios. The impressive high altar and Pieta scene in the sanctuary were gifted to Knock Shrine in 1880.

Knock Parish Church is open daily from 8am-9pm.

 

 

 

The stunning interior of Knock Basilica can be equally described as aesthetically beautiful and spiritually uplifting.

 

Key Points Of Interest include:

 

 

The Apparition Mosaic is one of the largest of its kind in Europe and is composed of over 1.5 million individual pieces of mosaic glass.

Pilgrimage Windows at the entrance halls represent the physical and spiritual journey of pilgrims to Knock

The Stations of the Cross depict the Passion and death of Jesus to dramatic effect on large stretched linen panels

Ireland’s Ecclesiastical past is represented in reconstructed windows from Irish medieval Churches on each of the radiating walls of the Basilica represent each of the four provinces of Ireland.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Knock Basilica is open daily from 8am to 9pm

 

 

 

 

Outdoor Stations of the Cross

The outdoor Stations of the Cross are located in the Shrine grounds adjacent to the Parish Church.

Since the earliest days, pilgrims have contemplated the Way of the Cross as part of their traditional pilgrimage to Knock. The impressive Calvary scene and the outdoor Stations of the Cross offer a quiet, contemplative space in which to pray and reflect. The outdoor Stations have been in place since 1938 and the Calvary scene pre-dates them by approximately 10 years.

The Stations of the Cross were gifted to the Shrine by the Knock Shrine Society and they were formally blessed by the Archbishop of Tuam, Joseph Walsh on Sunday, May 1st 1938, on the occasion of the Tuam Diocesan Pilgrimage that year.

Calvary Hill is set in mature grounds overlooking the Shrine  and  also offers a peaceful location in which to pray the Stations of the Cross.

 

Stations of the Cross at Knock Basilica

The stunning Stations of the Cross in Knock Basilica are the work of Westport artist, Ger Sweeney. The Stations  are painted on stretched raw linen, each Station is 2.6 x 2.6 metres (square in shape). Taking into account the large extent and scale of the Basilica, and the gracious floor to ceiling height within the Basilica, it was decided that the Stations should be installed approx. 4.5m above floor level; this ensures that all pilgrims have a good view of the Stations and this facilitates prayer and particularly saying of the Rosary.

The Stations of the Cross utilise a subdued colour range and this colour range is combined with very effective representations of natural light in each Station; this is appropriate for the solemnity of the subject matter, and this artistic restraint helps to give a powerful emotional feeling to the works.

The outdoor candelabrum at Knock Shrine

 

Lighting a candle at Knock and taking a few moments to pray for a loved one is a very special and prayerful experience.

The team at the outdoor candelabrum at the Parish Church will light candles on your behalf.

 

 

Confessions and Adoration is available daily  from 10.30am to 4pm in the Chapel of Reconciliation

Unique to the Knock Apparition is the representation of the Eucharist in the appearance of the Lamb on the altar. Knock Shrine was elevated to the status of International Eucharistic Shrine by Pope Francis in 2021.

 

Eucharistic Adoration takes place daily  at the following times:

Chapel of Reconciliation:

10.30am to 4pm daily

 

Apparition Chapel

7pm – 9pm daily

 

 

 

Through the Sacrament of  anointing, pilgrims in need can experience the gentle healing touch of the Lord. The sacrament is also a time to thank God for good health and to intercede for friends who are ill and for their carers.

 

Public Anointing of Sick is available during the pilgrimage season from April – October.

 

 

The peaceful atmosphere at Knock Shrine is enhanced by over 100 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens. Meandering pathways wind through fragrant flower beds and shrubberies, where quiet spaces can be found for prayer and reflection.

Knock Museum is an ideal starting point for your visit to Knock Shrine and a delightful experience for visitors of any age. Here you will discover the unique and fascinating story of Knock – covering 140 years of history – and find out why more than 1 million people make the journey to Knock Shrine each year. Knock Museum is accredited to the Museum Standards Programme of Ireland.

Open daily from 10am to 5pm, with free admission.

 

The Museum will close for annual Christmas Holidays from Saturday December 23rd 2023 to Saturday, January 13th 2024 inclusive

 

Water blessed at Knock Shrine is valued and cherished by Knock pilgrims and few leave Knock without filling a container to take home with them.

 

There are 18 outdoor Holy Water Fonts located in front of the Apparition Chapel. Crafted from white Portuguese limestone, the 18 Holy Water fonts by Imogen Stuart each contain a carved relief that depicts scenes from the bible and the lives of the Saints that are connected to water.

Two Masses are celebrated at Knock Shrine each day for all those enrolled in the Knock Shrine Friends Association. When you enrol a loved one in the association, they will share in these daily Masses along with all the members enrolled in the association for an entire year from the date of enrolment.

Visit one of the Mass Enrolment offices throughout the Shrine grounds. The offices are open  daily from 9am to 5pm.

 

The Mass enrolment office will close at 3pm on Christmas Eve 2023 and re-open on Saturday, December 30th at 9am.

For over 30 years, Knock Book Shop has built a reputation as an independent book seller specialising in spiritual books and resources. The Book Shop is centrally located in the Shrine grounds. Our experienced team are always at hand to advise you. Choose from a wide variety of topics from spirituality to pastoral resources and health and well being.

Open daily from 9am to 6pm until December 23rd 2023. Open from 9am to 5pm from Saturday, December  30th until further notice.

The Bookshop will close for annual holidays from 3pm on Christmas Eve and will re-open on Saturday, December 30th at 9am

 

 

 

A complimentary shuttle service is available daily at Knock Shrine to assist people who have limited mobility or difficulty walking.

The shuttle is available upon request, just ask at any of our offices or check with  member of staff.

Available 9am-5pm daily throughout the pilgrimage season.

There are 2 public Electric Vehicle (EV) charging units located in the WEST Car Park (behind the stalls area / Pope Francis Plaza). To use them, you will first need to download the EasyGo app on your phone, or order a Fob through their website: https://easygo.co.uk/charging-network

BY AIR

Ireland West Airport Knock  is located 20 Km from Knock Shrine with scheduled services from the UK and Europe.  A shuttle service operates from the Airport to Knock Village.

Visit Ireland West Airport  for further information.

 

BY CAR

Knock is 220 Km from Dublin and 70 Km from Galway. It is located on the N17 road, midway between Galway and Sligo.

Visitor Car Park
Ballyhaunis Road
Knock
Co. Mayo
F12 F585

GPS Co-Ordinates: N: 53.79391 W: 008.91387

 

BY BUS

Bus services are available from all major towns and cities. All bus stops in Knock are within a short walking distance of the Shrine Grounds. For full information including timetables visit Bus Eireann.

BY TRAIN

The nearest railway station is Claremorris (11 km), which is on the Dublin Heuston – Westport Line. For full information including timetables visit Irish Rail.

 

All details correct at time of publishing. Subject to change.