Visit of President Joe Biden to Knock Shrine

It has been officially announced today that President Joe Biden will make a personal visit to Knock Shrine as part of his four-day trip to Ireland.

The President is coming to Ireland to mark 25 years of the Good Friday Agreement.

Following his public engagements in Belfast, Dublin and Louth, the President will take time to visit his ancestral homes in Co. Louth and Mayo.

The President will then visit Knock Shrine on Friday 14^th April. Arriving in the afternoon, he will be welcomed by Fr Richard Gibbons, PP and Rector of Knock Shrine and Mr. John Conroy, Manager of Knock Shrine.

At Knock Shrine, the President will make a short personal visit where he will have the opportunity to learn more about the unique and fascinating story of Knock while also taking a few moments for private prayer.

“We are delighted to welcome President Joe Biden to Knock Shrine. This is a huge honour and will be the first visit of a US President to Knock Shrine. The Shrine is a special and unique place on the island of Ireland. We have previously been honoured by the visit of Saint John Paul II in 1979 and Pope Francis in 2018. We are delighted to have been included as part of the Presidents personal visits to Mayo.”

-Fr Richard Gibbons, PP and Rector of Knock Shrine.

*** Please Note***

Knock Shrine grounds and main street will be closed to the public from 1pm on Thursday 13^th April. There will be no access or viewing area for the public in order to facilitate this private visit.

Traffic management measures will be in place. Find out more at garda.ie

There will be no Mass or Confessions available from 1pm on Thursday 13^th April and all Knock Shrine offices will remain closed until Saturday 15^th April.

Churches at Knock Shrine will reopen to the public from 4.30pm on Friday 14th. Mass will take place at 7.30pm in the Parish Church on Friday evening.