Just off the N17, the tranquil village of Knock in County Mayo is a place of pilgrimage for over 1.5 million pilgrims each year. It was here, on the 21st August 1879, that the Virgin Mary, together with St Joseph and St John the Evangelist, appeared to fifteen people, young and old. From this historic apparition, the Shrine of Our Lady of Knock has grown to the status of an internationally recognised Marian Shrine, comparable to Lourdes, Fatima and any major Marian Shrines in the world.

The village of Knock is very accessible by road, rail and air. Ireland West Airport Knock is 20km, Dublin 220km, Galway and Sligo 70km. Bus stops in Knock are within a short walking distance of the Shrine grounds and the following routes are served: No 21, Dublin/Athlone/Westport, No 52, Galway/Castlebar/Westport/Ballina, No 64, Galway/Ireland West Airport Knock/Sligo/Derry. The nearest railway station is in Claremorris 11km, which is on the Dublin Heuston - Westport line. A shuttle bus and taxi service operates between Claremorris railway station and Knock during the pilgrimage season.