Irish vacation with private driver/guide

My Florida pals outside their B&B in Kinvara this morning before we set out for Knock in county Mayo. Knock is a small town where Our Lady appeared in August 1879, an apparition witnessed by multiple people, including children. It is recognised as a special centre of healing, like Fatima and Lourdes, with many miracles to its credit. This particular month is a very busy one as the anniversary is celebrated each August, but people come here all the year around.

This is the old church at Knock. The apparition appeared on the gable wall at the rear of this church and lasted for about two hours. There were three figures, Our Lady, John the evangelist, and St Joseph, with an altar and a large cross in the background, and a lamb on the altar with a half circle of angels around the altar. There was no movement and no spoken words at all. This apparition occurred during daylight hours the figures all in a brilliant white.
We attended the twelve o'clock mass here today where we prayed for all our friends and families. It was very special for all of us.

The apparition chapel is now enclosed with masses celebrated regularly here also. Al and Terry with Marianne and Ed standing in front of the chapel with the replica of the apparition in the background inside.

Here you can see the full depiction of the apparition from inside the chapel.

This plaque inside the apparition chapel explains what happened on the day of the apparition.

A magnificent Basilica was built in Knock to accommodate the thousands of pilgrims who come to Knock all the time. Here we have Marianne and Terry with the Basilica in the background.

My party standing outside the Knock Hotel where we had lunch today after visiting the Shrine.

Later in the day after returning to Kinvara once again, my friends standing outside my home with my wife Sue in the centre.

 Terry, the animal lover, with my pony today. I think that she might be in the market for an Irish farm if she can talk Al into it.

Later again down at the harbour in Kinvara checking out the boats....and below, a closer view of the traditional Galway Bay fishing boats known as the Claddagh Hookers. NO.....not that kind.....these really are boats, and they really are, and always were, called Hookers. They were used for fishing and for transporting all types of goods, including peat from the Connemara side of the Bay to the southern side where there was very little peat.They were a very sturdy boat and most reliable in the stormy Atlantic seas on our western shores.

And finally this evening, standing outside the Pier Head pub and restaurant where they were headed for their evening meal.This is one of the many wonderful steak and seafood restaurants located in this region and overlooks the harbour in Kinvara. 

As you can see, i am sure, they are having a great time....and so am i.

Tomorrow we head south.... Killarney here we come.