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Christy Moore sings “From Fatima to Bethlehem,
From Lourdes to Kiltimagh,
There`s never been a miracle
Like the airport up in Knock.”
This privately owned airport was opened in 1986, thanks to the incredible efforts of Mgr James Horan, to bring in the pilgrims. Ironically, he died taking a group of pilgrims to Lourdes, but he had worked his magic despite huge debts.
“Oh once this quiet crossroads
Was a place of gentle prayer
Where Catholics got indulgent
Once or twice a year.
Then came the priest from Partry,
Father Horan was his name,
And since he’s been appointed
Knock has never been the same.”
Now Knock has one main street, lined with saintly shops, and tatty tearooms. The temperature rarely gets above 20°C, and the days are usually “soft”. With nuns and priests around every corner, it looks like a scene from “Father Ted”, but Knock is a town of surprises as well as miracles.
A glass-fronted Apparition chapel has been built on the wall of the old church, where the original vision took place in 1879. The vision has been recreated in marble by an inspired Italian sculptor, and his winning design has fabulous angels flying out of the wall. With the guidance of one of the surviving witnesses, all the facial expressions etc. were made as accurate as possible; even the lamb had to be made to look a little less Italian and a bit more Irish!
They even managed to acquire the last of Michelangelo’s brightest marble for the Lamb and Our Lady. In the roof above the vision, there is a sheet of glass, so when the sun does actually shine, the marble glistens. When this happens, the vision looks magnificent, and because of the airport, there are always people here to appreciate it!
As Christy Moore concludes
“Now everyone is happy,
The miracle is complete!”
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