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County Mayo Road Trip
County Mayo is an area steeped in religious history and stunning scenery
County Mayo, located in the west of Ireland and bordered by the Atlantic Ocean is home to miles of eclectic and unspoilt scenery and nature. Visitors to Ireland can make use of the many car rental services in Dublin and its Airport to hire a car and make the journey west to this picturesque area of the Emerald Isle.
The stunning mountains, valleys, cliffs and beaches help to make County Mayo one of the most beautiful areas in the country and home to many attractions and activities that appeal to people of all ages.
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Knock has developed on the back of a famous story surrounding this area, which occurred on August 21st 1879. According to folk law, an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Joseph and St John the Evangelist appeared at St John the Baptist Church in Knock for approximately two hours.
A group of local people report seeing a bright golden light in which appeared Mary, Joseph and John in prayer. Many miracles are believed to have happened at the shrine since the reported apparition and to present day more than 1.5 million people a year visit the shrine to pray, seek solace, or request a miracle. In August 1979, Pope John Paul II paid a visit to celebrate for the 100th anniversary, and Mother Theresa also been a guest.
It has been designated a Marian Shrine and its construction was contributed to by all the counties of Ireland putting in to place the 32 pillars in the ambulatory. The four medieval style windows represent the four provinces of Ireland.
Other places of interest within the Basilica include the Knock Folk Museum, which portrays how life was like in rural Ireland at the end of the 19th century. Morning and afternoon guided tours are available and there is an audio-visual centre to educate its visitors.
There is a daily mass, Stations of the Cross, Rosary Procession, Anointing of the sick and guided prayer sessions. The shrine of Knock is an important site of pilgrimage and is comparable to Lourdes in France and Fatima in Portugal for significance.