Bus Eireann’s extra buses for Pope

Bus Eireann is putting on extra buses from Sligo and Ballina to Knock for the Papal visit on August 26 th.

It comes as all the major agencies involved in running the event urge motorists to leave the car at home or face walking for miles to get a glimpse of Pope Francis at Knock Shrine.

Bus Eireann will operate the additional buses at Sligo at 6am on the Sunday to Knock.

Customers can then walk from the N17 bus park to the Shrine, roughly 1.5km according to a spokesperson.

When asked by The Sligo Champion where the buses would park, a spokesperson said: “Any special bus going to Knock on the day of the Pope’s visit can park adjacent to Knock on the N17.”

There will then be extra buses back to Sligo from Knock at 1pm.

A 5.05am service will also operate from Ballina to Claremorris via Knock, returning after the event. Online pre-booking is advised.

Sligo Cathedral parish is sending a bus of 50 people to Knock and a bus of 55 people to the Phoenix Park in Dublin the same day.

St Patrick’s Strandhill Parish is also sending a bus to Knock Shrine on the Sunday.