RTA Day Tour to Knock Shrine, Drumcliff and Lissadell House
In May we attended Mass at Knock Shrine followed by breakfast at Café le Chéile and a visit to the Museum.
The story of Knock captivates all who visit the Shrine. At about 8o’clock on Thursday evening of the 21st August 1879 the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Joseph and St John the Evangelist appeared at the south gable of the church at Knock. Beside them and a little to the left was an altar with a cross and the figure of a lamb, around which angels hovered.
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| VIP treatment at Knock Shrine |
There were fifteen official witnesses to the Apparition – young and old – who watched and prayed for two hours in the pouring rain but not a drop fell on the gable. Ten days later the first miracle occurred. A mother brought her deaf child to the church. Taking a hat pin she scraped the wall of the church made from mortar and cement (not blocks) and rubbed it off her daughter’s ear and her hearing was restored. The Knock apparition was a silent one and each of us can find its meaning for ourselves.
Two Commissions of Enquiry, in 1879 and 1936 accepted their testimony as trustworthy and satisfactory. Many miraculous cures have been reported at Knock and people still come in search of healing, reconciliation and peace.
The Museum captures the compelling story of the Apparition and profiles the fifteen people who witnessed the extraordinary event.
The museum places the Apparition in the context of life at that time from living in the thatched house to working in the forge. It charts the development of the Shrine and focuses on the work of the Knock Shrine Society of volunteers and Monsignor James Horan. You can listen to pilgrims sharing their personal memories of Knock. Be sure to visit the newly refurbishment of the Basilica if you visit the Shrine.
Drumcliffe
Nestled under the foot of Benbulben and famous as the final resting place of W. B. Yeats whose grave is in the church yard under a simple headstone with the inscription ‘ Cast a Cold Eye on Life, on Death Horseman, pass by’ was our next port of call. The flower arrangements for the recent visit of Prince Charles and his wife Camilla were still fresh in the parish church. The round tower, high cross and trees planted by Mary Mc Aleese and Prince Charles are worth seeing.
Lissadell House and Gardens
This historical house and gardens looking out over Sligo Bay looked splendid in the May sunshine. The walled garden is under development and not worth visiting at present. Go straight from the house to the Pine Garden. This is a beautiful garden with a huge variety of plants, flowers water features and hidden gems of sculpture over looking the Wild Atlantic.
Lissadell House was the home of Countess Markievicz and was immortalized by W.B. Yeats who was a frequent visitor to the house –
‘The Light of evening, Lissadell
Great windows open to the south,
Two girls in silk kimonos, both
Beautiful, one a gazelle.”
Constance Gore Booh the 1916 revolutionary lived here with her sister the poet and suffragist Mabel and her brother Josslyn.