Knock Shrine will not open its grounds on what would normally be its busiest day of the year due to the pandemic.

Knock Shrine will not open its grounds on what would normally be its busiest day of the year due to the pandemic.
In a statement the rector of Knock Shrine, Fr Richard Gibbons, said the Co Mayo venue will not open for the Feast of the Assumption on 15 August due to the escalation of Covid-19 around the country.
Fr Gibbons said during discussions with Church and State bodies it was decided the shrine did not have the resources to deal with the large numbers of people expected.
The Feast of the Assumption attracts over 20,000 people to Knock every year.
The shrine and its grounds will be closed from 8pm on Friday 14 August to 7am on Sunday 16 August.
Masses will be celebrated online only and behind closed doors at 12pm, 3pm and 7.30pm.