Papal visit to Knock Shrine is fully booked out

THE full complement of 45,000 tickets for the Papal visit to Knock Shrine on August 26 was fully booked out within hours of going online this morning.

However, Brenda Drumm of the Catholic Press and Information Office, stresses that tickets for the closing Mass of World Meeting of Families (WFO) 2018 in the Phoenix Park are still available.

Half a million tickets are available for the Phoenix Park, more than ten times the niumber allocated for Knock where space is extremely limited.

The chances of seeing Pope Francis at Ireland West Airport Knock are expected to be non-existent for security reasons.

As a result the best opportunity for non-ticket holders of getting a glimpse of the Holy Father is likely to be along the N17 as it winds from airport – via the outskirts of Kilkelly – to the Shrine village.

On RTEs Morning Ireland Ms. Drumm explained that those booking online for tickets b oth in Dublin and Knock are being asked if they would like to make a voluntary contribution (towards the cost of the visit).

The lowest amount one can contribute is €5, the upper one is €100.

Ms. Drumm stressed that any payment is entirely voluntary.

“Payment won't fast track you”, she stated. “The tickets are available to everyone on a first come, first served basis. Ability to pay has nothing to do with the allocations."

Block booking for groups are available. The limit for Knock on those bookings is eight while the limit for the Phoenix Park, where there is greater space, is eight.

Ms. Drumm suggested that anybody disappointed at not getting acess to Knock should try instead for the Dublin venue.