Knock holidays

How to reach Knock

• Flight time: Flights to Knock from main UK airports, including London Heathrow, London Stansted, Edinburgh and Manchester, take around 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes.

• Transfer time: You can travel into the town of Knock from Knock Airport by taxi, with a journey time of around 15 minutes. There are also buses running to Knock, taking around 20 minutes, though services may be less frequent than in larger cities.

• Price: For a taxi to the town centre expect to pay around €25 while bus fares start at around €10.

Best time to visit Knock

Knock’s seasonal charm has something to offer year-round but the best time to visit the town depends on what you expect from your Knock holidays.

• April to June is an excellent time to visit if you enjoy mild temperatures between 10°C and 16°C. With spring in bloom, this period offers a peaceful atmosphere for pilgrims and visitors. Rainfall is moderate, with around 50 to 70mm a month.

• July to August enjoys the warmest weather of the year, with average temperatures between 15°C and 19°C. It’s the high season for holidays to Knock, especially for pilgrims. But days with up to 7 hours of sunshine and moderate rain (60 to 90mm a month) are also great for outdoor activities.

• September to November brings cooler temperatures ranging from 10°C to 14°C. The autumn colours make this a beautiful time to visit if you’re into exploring the Knock countryside. There are fewer tourists but rainfall increases to 80 to 100mm per month, so pack a raincoat.

• December to March are the winter months in Knock and the quietest time of year, with temperatures of just 4°C to 8°C and rainfall around 40 to 100mm per month. If you crave a peaceful winter escape, it’s a perfect moment for a trip to Knock.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: English is the primary language used in Knock, but you may also hear Irish (Gaeilge) spoken.

• Local habits and customs: Knock inhabitants are welcoming. Since Knock is a major pilgrimage site, modest clothing is appreciated when visiting the shrine.

• Currency: Ireland uses the Euro. ATMs are available in the town, and many places accept major credit cards, but it’s handy to have some cash for smaller purchases.

• Getting around: Knock is a small town, so the easiest way to get around is to walk. For day trips or exploring the countryside, you may want to rent a car. Public buses connect Knock with such nearby towns as Westport, Castlebar and Galway, with one-way fares starting at around €10.

• Time zone: GMT, switching to British Summer Time in the summer months.

• Required travel documentation: Ireland is part of the Common Travel Area, so UK citizens don’t need a visa or passport to enter, but carrying photo ID may prove useful.

Local dishes in Knock

One of the highlights of holidays to Knock is enjoying traditional Irish dishes and local drinks.

Some typical dishes

• Irish Stew: After a full day of exploring the countryside there’s nothing better than a hearty meal. Being an Irish favourite, Irish stew is a slow-cooked lamb dish, with potatoes, carrots and onions. Yummy!

• Boxty: This traditional Irish potato pancake is served with a variety of fillings, from meat to vegetables to cheese. Or if you have a sweet tooth, you can order boxty with honey or have it sprinkled with sugar.

Meat dishes

• Bacon and Cabbage: Made with tender boiled bacon, this staple Irish dish is typically served with cabbage and mashed potatoes. Simple but delicious!

• Black Pudding: Often served as part of a full Irish breakfast, black pudding is a traditional Irish sausage made from pork, oatmeal and spices.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Smoked Salmon: During your Irish holidays don’t forget to try wild Irish salmon, served smoked with brown bread and butter or as part of a larger seafood platter.

• Fish Chowder: This hearty Irish dish features tasty chunks of different types of fresh fish, as well as potatoes and vegetables in a creamy broth.

• Fish and Chips: In Knock and its vicinity, you’ll find many places offering crispy battered fish with thick-cut chips. Order it wrapped in paper for the most authentic experience.

Sweets and desserts

• Apple Tart: This mouthwatering sweet treat, made with apples, encased in buttery pastry and served with cream or custard, will make a great pair with your afternoon tea.

• Barmbrack: This is a traditional Irish fruit loaf, typically served around Halloween but also available in bakeries year-round. Tastes best when accompanied by a nice cup of tea. Enjoy!

Local drinks

• Irish Whiskey: No visit to Knock or any other Irish town is complete without sampling this golden Irish spirit.

• Guinness: Ireland is proud of its beer so be sure to enjoy a pint of this famous stout, known for its creamy head and rich flavour.

Best things to do in Knock

Knock is a small town, known for its religious significance and peaceful atmosphere, but beside that there’s also plenty to explore.

Historical monuments

• Knock Shrine: The greatest attraction of the town is the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of Knock, where the Virgin Mary, St Joseph and St John the Evangelist are said to have appeared in 1879. The grounds, also including the Apparition Chapel and Basilica, are a place of reflection and worship for pilgrims from all four corners of the world.

• Knock Museum: If you seek a deeper understanding of the Knock Apparition and its impact on the town, by all means visit the award-winning Knock Museum. It gives an interesting insight into the lives of the villagers who had the apparition back in 1879 and the subsequent pilgrimage that has made Knock one of Ireland’s most significant religious destinations.

Parks and gardens

• Knock Prayer Garden: Next to the shrine you’ll find a beautiful garden, with lush greenery and the Stations of the Cross, which is an ideal place for quiet contemplation or just taking some rest in a peaceful environment.

Day trips in the area

• Croagh Patrick: If climbing is your favourite pastime, and even if it’s not, it’s really worthwhile to climb Ireland’s holiest mountain, Croagh Patrick. First and foremost it’s a popular pilgrimage site, but it also offers sweeping panoramas of Clew Bay and the surrounding area and it’s just an hour’s drive from Knock.

• Connemara National Park: For the great outdoors enthusiasts, Connemara National Park is a dream come true. About an hour and a half’s drive from Knock, it features magnificent landscapes of mountains, bogs and grasslands as well as several walking trails of varying difficulty.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Cliffs of Moher: The Cliffs of Moher are a truly iconic Irish attraction on the country’s west coast. Although it’s a 2-hour drive from Knock, you’ll be rewarded with the dazzling panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, and on a clear day, you might even see as far as the Aran Islands. Bonus: the visitor centre has interactive exhibits on the natural history of the area.

Activities for families in Knock

There’s a wealth of activities that can keep entire families entertained in Knock.

• Westport House: History buffs and fans of grand 18th-century architecture should not miss Westport House, which is close to Knock. But the picturesque grounds, historical tours, adventure activities and… a pirate park will keep entire families entertained all day long.

• Lough Lannagh: A visit to Lough Lannagh is a perfect idea for a relaxed family day out. Children will be happy to cycle, spot wildlife or run around in the open air while parents prepare a perfect picnic by the water. A multitude of walking and cycling trails around the lake invite a peaceful walk or scenic ride.

• McMahon Park: A 15-minute drive from Knock, this park in Claremorris is a great place for a serene family walk in beautiful scenery, while kids will be delighted to watch or feed the ducks and other birds.

Free things to do in Knock

The good news is you can enjoy your Knock holidays without breaking the bank.

• Knock Shrine: First and foremost, Knock Shrine is free to enter and open to visitors year-round.

• ** National Museum of Ireland – Country Life:** You can explore exhibits on the almost-vanished rural way of life at the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life at no cost at all. Half an hour’s drive from Knock, the museum at Turlough Park also has an adventure playground, a 10km cycling path and picnic facilities. And Victorian-era enthusiasts will be delighted to know that the grounds feature a lovely Victorian mansion and the award-winning Victorian gardens.

• Pilgrim walk: Many visitors to Knock are happy to take part in the pilgrim walk, which takes you through the town and the surrounding countryside and is totally free. Walking this contemplative route allows you to connect with the spiritual history of the area.

• Walking in the countryside: There are numerous trails and paths that will take you through the green fields and small villages of County Mayo, offering stunning views of the landscape at no cost at all.

Nature and outdoor activities in Knock

• Water sports: Not far from Knock, you can engage in water activities at Lough Mask and Lough Corrib, including boating, kayaking and paddleboarding, but both lakes are also well known for fishing.

• Cycling: The countryside surrounding Knock offers scenic cycling routes, perfect for cyclists of all skill levels, where they can take in views of rolling hills and quiet villages.