Only tickets-holders should travel to Knock, warn gardaí
GARDAÍ have warned that only those with tickets should travel to the Knock shrine for the papal visit tomorrow as there will be checks en route.
Superintendent Tom Calvey, of Claremorris garda station, told the Irish Independent that there will be ticket checks in Claremorris and outside Kiltimagh, Co Mayo.
“If there are four people in the car, we will be looking for four tickets,” he said.
He said that the shrine will open at 5am, and designated car parks are opening at 3am.
Excitement has been building locally in advance of the visit, and Fr Richard Gibbons said that people shouldn’t worry about the traffic.
“Buses will get you within 700m of the shrine itself. That’s nothing, you’re right in the heart of everything,” he said.
“Everything is organised, everything is calculated and will run very smoothly.”
Donal Healy of Knock Airport said that everything has gone to plan so far.
“We’re looking forward to a good event here on Sunday,” he said.
Meanwhile a “pope pack”, which includes wellies and kneeling cushions, has received lots of interest since Kean’s shop in Claremorris posted details of the pack on social media sites. James Kean told the Irish
Independent that the individual items in the bundle had been selling well, and it was decided to put them into a bundle for €99 for everyone going along.
Included in the pack is a folding chair, stool, knee cushions, a rain poncho, portable charger, Ireland wellies, a selfie stick, a portable pocket radio and a water bottle – although holy water is not included.