Travel to Knock

Travel to Knock

The small and charming town of Knock is in County Mayo on the west coast of the Republic of Ireland. It is a destination for thousands of pilgrims annually, following an apparition of The Virgin Mary, St Joseph and John the Baptist seen by 15 people in 1879. The town is nothing much to look at, but if you are interested in religion then it can prove fascinating.

Transportation to Knock

Knock International Airport is just nine miles from the town and receives flights from Dublin, London and Manchester. The town of Knock is not connected directly to the airport by public transport so you have to catch a bus to Charlestown or take a taxi. The small airport has limited facilities, although a bureau de change and tourist office can be found in the terminal.

If you are arriving by car on the east coast, take the N17 road heading west. Knock is located midway between Galway and Sligo, and approximately 140 miles from Dublin Port. The road network has improved in recent years and all of the major highways are in good condition and relatively congestion-free.

Shannon does not have a railway station so visitors arriving by rail must first take a train to Claremorris, about seven miles away, and then catch a bus or taxi. Iarnrod Eireann offers InterRail services, allowing you to book a combined rail/ferry journey.

Express coach services from Britain to Ireland are operated by Eurolines in conjunction with Bus Eireann. Within Ireland, there are extensive services that link most towns, but the smaller villages may only be served by a couple of buses a week. Bus services connect Knock with Westport, Castlebar, Athlone and Dublin as well as Sligo, Ballina, Galway and Cork.

What to see

The focal point of the town is the Knock Shrine. Here, a massive circular basilica with seating for 7,000 people contains artefacts and furnishings from every county in Ireland. There is also a folk museum nearby that documents the story of the Knock Apparition. There are a number of other permanent displays covering crafts, fishing and farming.

Elsewhere, the 15th century Ballintubber Abbey is well worth a visit. Situated in the town of Claremorris it is the only church in Ireland,, founded by an Irish king, that is still in use. Cide Fields in North Mayo has extensive Stone Age artefacts dating back 5,000 years. There is an excellent visitor centre containing exhibitions and audio-visual shows.

Daytrips

There are some interesting attractions in the region if you have a car. The Twelve Bens has good hiking trails and stunning views over the ocean. Clare Island is best known as the haunt of Grace O'Malley, the pirate queen. The castle and partially restored Cistercian Abbey where she is buried can be visited. There are only 150 residents on the island and it lies just a few miles off the Mayo coast. Another area worth visiting is Connemara, about 30 miles south of Knock. The rugged mountains and beautiful valleys are regarded as some of the most impressive views in Ireland.

Activities and leisure

There are many hiking trails throughout the region, and walking is undoubtedly one of the most popular leisure pursuits for locals and visitors alike. Other options include water sports, fishing and boat trips, golf and horseback riding.

Safety issues

Knock is a safe place to visit and the crime rate is fairly low. You should still be alert to possible dangers including bag snatching and pick-pocketing at tourist areas. Accidents can happen at any time, and covering the cost of treatment can be expensive. Modern medical facilities are available throughout the country, but some of the rural areas have limited facilities. We strongly advise that you take out travel insurance for you and your family.