Knock, in County Mayo, is Ireland’s national Marian shrine and one of the world’s recognised international shrines, commemorating an apparition reported in 1879. Each year well over a million pilgrims visit this peaceful village in the west of Ireland. This guide gathers everything you need to plan a visit.

In This Series

Our Knock collection covers the shrine and the practical side of a trip:

More Knock Guides

• Knock Shrine: Ireland’s Marian Sanctuary
• Pilgrimage to Knock: Visiting the West of Ireland
• Where to Stay near Knock Shrine: A Pilgrim’s Guide

Who Comes Here

Irish and international Catholic pilgrims form the heart of Knock’s visitors, with a strong tradition of welcoming the sick and those seeking comfort, alongside travellers exploring the west of Ireland.

When to Visit

The pilgrimage season runs from spring through autumn, peaking around the August novena and major feast days. The shrine is open year-round, with quieter, more reflective visits possible on weekdays outside the season.

Getting There

Ireland West Airport Knock is just a few kilometres away, with flights from Britain and Europe. By road, Knock is reachable from Galway, Sligo, and Dublin, with regional bus connections to the village.

Explore More Sacred Sites

• The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem
• The Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem
• The Vatican & St. Peter’s Basilica
• The Basilica of the Annunciation, Nazareth
• Santiago de Compostela
• Lourdes
• Fatima
• Mont-Saint-Michel
• Ephesus & the House of the Virgin Mary
• Assisi
• Guadalupe
• Saint Catherine’s Monastery & Mount Sinai
• Meteora
• Częstochowa
• Loreto
• Etchmiadzin, Armenia
• Canterbury, England
• Lalibela, Ethiopia
• Sergiev Posad, Russia
• Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, Ukraine
• San Giovanni in Laterano, Rome
• Mount Athos, Greece
• All Christian Holy Sites – Complete Guide