Upcoming Events

Saturday, August 29th 2026

Time: 10am – 3pm
Location: St. John’s Rest and Care Centre at Knock Shrine

Join us in Knock for a special conference celebrating the Church Return to Nature Project and exploring how faith communities can play a leading role in restoring biodiversity and caring for creation. The event will highlight the inspiring journey of Knock Shrine as a flagship participant in the project, showcasing the significant achievements made in partnership with Mayo County Council’s Biodiversity Office.

Participants will hear how Knock has transformed areas of its grounds through the creation of pollinator-friendly habitats, native orchards, bird and bat box installations, reduced mowing regimes, and the development of a comprehensive Biodiversity Action Plan. These initiatives support the wider goal of returning 30% of church lands to nature by 2030, while demonstrating how faith, stewardship and environmental responsibility can work hand in hand.

With almost one million visitors annually, Knock offers a powerful example of how visible actions for nature can inspire communities across Ireland. The conference will celebrate achievements to date, share lessons learned, and explore opportunities for parishes and faith communities to become active partners in biodiversity conservation.

Come and discover how the Church Return to Nature Project is helping to create a richer, more resilient landscape for wildlife while deepening our shared commitment to caring for our common home.

Programme

10:00am:  Registration and Refreshments
10.30 am: Welcome and Opening Prayer

10.40am: Sheila Murphy, Mayo Biodiversity Officer
Followed by Q & A

11:10am: Rev. Suzanne Cousins
Followed by Q & A

11:40am:  Ecologist, Karina Dingerkus (actions for pollinators)
Followed by Q & A

12:10pm:Meadhbh Bolger, The Heritage Council (Havens for Nature booklet)

12:20pm:  Break for Refreshments

1.00pm: Tour of  Knock Shrine Grounds

3:00pm: Jane Mellett

Panel Discussion

Closing prayer

Reserve Tickets Online Here

Faith Through Film with Brendan O’Regan

September 19^th

10am – 3pm in the Prayer Centre

Cost €20

Discover the power of film as a tool for inspiring faith, engaging students, and enriching Religious Education.

This reflective and practical day is designed for Religious Education teachers who want to bring faith to life in the classroom while also taking time to nourish their own spiritual journey. Through carefully selected film clips, guided reflection, prayer, and discussion, we will explore how stories on screen can open conversations about faith, hope, compassion, forgiveness, and the search for meaning.

Alongside opportunities for personal reflection, the day will offer practical methodologies and classroom ideas that can be adapted, helping teachers use film creatively to encourage dialogue, critical thinking, and deeper engagement with the Gospel.

Whether you are looking for fresh teaching resources, renewed inspiration, or simply a day to reflect and reconnect with your vocation as an educator, this promises to be an enriching and uplifting experience.

Called to Serve: A Day of Support and Inspiration for Parish Ministry

Are you involved in ministry in your parish, or interested in becoming more involved? Join us at Knock Shrine for a day of encouragement, learning, and sharing.

Whether you are a Minister of the Eucharist, Minister of the Word, Sacristan, in your parish choir, interested in developing a Sensory Mass, or looking for ways to engage young people more actively in parish life, this day is for you.

Come together with others involved in parish ministry to gain practical ideas, share experiences, and maybe be a little inspired!

Date: Saturday, 3rd October
Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Venue: Knock Shrine

Join us for the Blessing of Animals at Knock Shrine, a special celebration of the bond between people and the animals entrusted to our care. The blessing offers a meaningful opportunity to gather in prayer and celebrate all of God’s creatures in the peaceful surroundings of the Shrine. Blessing takes place in the Shrine grounds, outside St. Joseph’s at 11am.

Wednesday, October 14^th

“Be united, in mind and purpose” 1 Corinthians 1:17

A synodal approach to building up Parish Councils with David Wells

7.30pm to 9.30pm

Venue: Knock Prayer Centre

Booking Fee : €10

An evening exploring authority, corporate wisdom and the quest to grow in unity. Join us for an enriching experience designed to help you deepen your connection with your parish and grow together in faith and purpose! This event is an opportunity for parish members to explore the themes of Authority, Wisdom, and the Quest for Unity.

Whisper of God One Day Retreat

10am to 5pm

Venue: Knock Prayer Centre

Booking Fee: €70

The one-day retreat offers a serene space for silence, quiet prayer, reflection, and spiritual direction. Participants will be guided through moments of scripture-based prayer, group sharing, and personal spiritual guidance. Price: €70 including refreshments and lunch.

Saturday, November 14^th

Workshop for Choirs with Ephrem Feeley

11am to 5pm: Blessed Sacrament Chapel

Booking Fee: €20 including resource pack

Join us for a special day of music, prayer and learning, facilitated by Ephrem Feeley, one of Ireland’s leading composers of liturgical music and Úna Nolan, Director of Sacred Music at Knock Shrine.

This enriching day will feature practical workshops focused on selecting music for liturgies, choral direction and learning new repertoire. Participants will also be led in a guided prayer session, a spiritual refreshment for those who so often provide it for others through their ministry. During an open forum attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions related to music ministry.

The day will conclude with the celebration of the Eucharist, incorporating some of the music explored during the sessions. For bookings, email [email protected]

Saturday, Nov 28^th

Calming The Mind, Opening The Heart

Cultivating a Spirit of Wakefulness for Advent with Martina Lehane

10am – 3pm

Knock Prayer Centre

Booking Fee: €20

Join us on this very special retreat, where we will journey into healing and stillness.  Drawing from insights in psychology, scripture and contemplative spirituality, we will find creative ways to move into the beautiful season of Advent (interweaving meditation, poetry, film, input etc. Martina Lehane Sheehan has over 30 years’ experience as a psychotherapist, spiritual director, poet and retreat facilitator.  Author of seven books, she specialises in the psychospiritual approach in her work and life.

Saturday, December 5^th

Blessing of Expectant Mothers

11am

Venue: Knock Basilica

Whether you are becoming a parent for the first time, or awaiting the arrival of a new little member to your family, the blessing is a very special time to gather and to pray for yourself and your family as you anticipate the excitement and joy that comes with the arrival of a new baby.

The blessing will include a short time for prayer and then a blessing for all expectant mothers and their families.

Monday, Dec 7^th

All Night Vigil

Midnight on December 7th to 4am on December 8th

Confessions from 10pm to Midnight

The All-Night Vigil takes place on the evening of 7th December. Beginning at Midnight and continuing through the night with Eucharistic Adoration, the Rosary, Stations of the Cross, reflections and concluding with Mass at 4am on the 8^th of December.

Sunday, Dec 20^th

Follow the Star – A Family Christmas Experience at Knock Shrine

5:30 – 7:30pm at the Creation Walk

Sensory friendly hour 4:30 – 5:30pm

This family event invites children and adults alike to journey together through the Christmas story, following the guiding star to a living Nativity scene. A heartwarming event for all ages, Follow the Star offers a unique opportunity to celebrate faith, hope, and togetherness during the Christmas season.

Carols by Candlelight

8pm in Knock Basilica

Celebrate the joy of Christmas with Carols by Candlelight in the beautiful surroundings of Knock Basilica. Enjoy an evening of seasonal music featuring Schola Cantorum Basilicae, Knock Youth Choir, the Con Tempo String Quartet and organist Mark Keane.

Monday, Dec 21^st

Longest Night Service

8.30pm in the Apparition Chapel

This is a service for those who feel isolated from the general feelings of joy and happiness typically associated with this time of year. This evening seeks to bring comfort by reminding us that we are not alone and that there is always hope in Christ.

Saturday the 6^th of February

St Johns Welcome Centre

Cost: €175

Deirdre Buckley Cairns

Deirdre Buckley Cairns lives and works in Schull, West Cork. After moving there in 2012, she earned a First Class Honours BA in Visual Art from DIT Sherkin Island in 2016 and a Masters in Fine Art from Crawford College of Art and Design in 2017, focusing on Art and Process. With over 25 years’ experience in stained glass, she has completed private commissions, exhibited work, and teaches  workshops throughout Ireland in  traditional leaded lights — the decorative leaded glass windows often seen in churches and historic buildings. Deirdre explores diverse materials and values collaboration with clients to create meaningful artworks. Deirdre served as a Board Member of the Glass Society of Ireland from 2022-2026.

The Joy of Stained Glass

We are pleased to offer a hands-on stained glass workshop designed to introduce participants to the art of stained glass creation. During the workshop, participants will learn the fundamentals of glass cutting, foiling, soldering, and finishing techniques while creating their own stained glass piece to take home. The workshop is suitable for beginners and requires no prior experience. All materials, tools, safety equipment, and instruction are provided.