Knock Museum
Free museum at Knock Shrine on the history of the 1879 apparition and of pilgrimage to Knock, with a 3D model of the village and a multilingual audio guide.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Knock Museum tells the story of Knock, a village in County Mayo that became an international place of pilgrimage after an apparition reported on the evening of 21 August 1879. The museum covers around 140 years of history and explains why more than a million people travel to Knock Shrine every year.
A three-dimensional model shows the village exactly as it was on the evening of the apparition, with many miniature details of village life and the historical and social background to the event. The museum is dedicated to the memory of all pilgrims who have come to Knock since 1879, and visitors can listen to personal stories of faith and pilgrimage.
The exhibition is toured with a handheld audio guide, and an outdoor audio trail continues through the grounds of the shrine. Knock Museum is accredited under the Museum Standards Programme for Ireland and stands next to the Creation Walk and Café Le Chéile.
Highlights
- Three-dimensional model of Knock village as it was on 21 August 1879
- Personal stories of pilgrims since 1879
- Handheld audio guide in seven languages and an outdoor audio trail
- Free admission
- Accredited under the Museum Standards Programme for Ireland
Permanent exhibition
- Pilgrims of Hope: The Story of Knock – The exhibition follows the story of Knock from the 1879 apparition to today, including a 3D model of the village and recorded stories of pilgrims.
- Operated by
- Knock Shrine
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Admission is free for all visitors.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Disabled toilets are available at Knock Museum. Wheelchairs can be requested at the Shrine Security office and a complimentary shuttle service runs daily in the grounds for people with limited mobility.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
The museum is described as suitable for visitors of any age, and the outdoor audio trail is recommended for families.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bus services run from all major towns and cities, and all bus stops in Knock are a short walk from the shrine grounds. A public bus runs from Ireland West Airport (20 km away) to Knock village.
By car
Parking available
Car and coach parking is at the North Car Park, entered from the Ballyhaunis road (Eircode F12 X7Y3). There is no parking for campervans, caravans or motorhomes in the grounds.
The museum has its own car park for visitors to the museum and café.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
Café Le Chéile at the museum serves breakfast and lunch from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 15:00. The Knock Book Shop is in the shrine grounds.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Audio guide | yes (EN, GA, FR, DE, IT, ES, PL) |
|---|---|
| Good to know | A handheld audio guide is available in English, Irish, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Polish. An outdoor audio trail around the grounds continues the tour. |
