Courtney McGrailStaff reporter
Parish priest of Knock Fr Richard Gibbons has said he is “delighted” by the return of transatlantic flights to the airport there.
The first transatlantic service to Ireland West Airport in almost eight years will take place in August following the announcement of a transatlantic pilgrimage flight from New York.
In what Fr Gibbons hopes will become a regular service, the Aer Lingus flight will depart New York on Saturday, August 8 and return on Sunday, August 16 with pilgrims taking in a historic visit to the shrine and participation in the national public novena in honour of Our Lady of Knock.
“I am delighted. It’s a great development and part of our programme to promote pilgrimages to Knock at home and abroad.
“It opens up the spiritual links between Ireland and America and I hope it will lead to commercial flights to the west of Ireland in the future,” he said.