Mags GarganMags Gargan examines the life and achievements of Msgr James Horan
Perhaps the most iconic figure in modern times to be associated with Knock Shrine is Msgr James Horan. Widely known for his successful campaign to bring an airport to Knock, his work on Knock Basilica, and for inviting Pope John Paul II to visit Knock Shrine in 1979, he was a man of vision, unwavering determination and a relentless drive.
Born in Partry, Co. Mayo James Horan entered Maynooth College in 1929 to train for the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Tuam. He was ordained in 1936 and as there were no vacancies at home, he took up his first duty in Dumbarton, Scotland. Having served as chaplain on an ocean liner, he was then appointed to the Franciscan Monastery, Ballyglunin, Co. Galway; Tiernea, Carraroe, Co. Galway; Tooreen, Co. Mayo and Cloonfad, Co. Roscommon.
He set to work in these parishes improving the postal system, introducing electricity to the area and pioneering group water schemes, road works and drainage schemes. He was appointed to Knock Parish in 1963 as curate and in 1967 was made parish priest.
Often referred to as the ‘Builder of Knock’, over his 23 years in the parish Msgr Horan spearheaded a programme of building and development to improve the facilities at Knock for both pilgrims and parishioners. One of his most ambitious projects was the building of a new church dedicated to Our Lady, Queen of Ireland, which was completed in 1976. The building is large enough to accommodate up to 12,000 people and covers one acre of ground.
Novena
In 1977 Msgr Horan decided to commence an annual Solemn Novena collaborating with Frs Frank Fahey and Paddy Mooney, which continues to attract thousands of people to Knock daily every year.
He was “a man in a hurry” and as in his other parishes he was instrumental in many job-creating projects. In conjunction with Mayo County Council he became involved in the redevelopment of Knock village, working with institutions and Departments of the State at national and local level. It is also said that he would often quietly send members of the shrine staff to do repairs on the homes of those who lived alone and felt isolated.
Working closely with Dame Judy Coyne, Msgr Horan was responsible for the invitation and subsequent state visit to Ireland by Pope John Paul II for Knock’s centenary celebrations in 1979. During his visit, the Pope elevated the new church to the status of basilica, where he met the sick and disabled, addressing and blessing a crowd of some 2,500 of them. Later he celebrated Mass at a specially constructed altar in front of the new church, for a congregation of almost half-a-million saying: “Here I am at the goal of my journey to Ireland: the Shrine of Our Lady of Knock.”
The other incredible achievement that Msgr Horan is famous for was the building of an international airport in Barnacuige, a small village near Charlestown, Co. Mayo, against tremendous odds, funding difficulties and complicated politics.
Critics
Critics regarded the idea of an airport on a “foggy, boggy site” in Mayo as unrealistic, but funding was approved by the Taoiseach, Charles Haughey. Although Msgr Horan had secured IR£10m in funding from Mr Haughey, following the Fianna Fáil party’s defeat in the general election of 1982, his funding was cut before the airport was finished. He then raised the IR£4m shortfall by holding a ‘Jumbo Draw’ which involved a tour of several countries, including Australia and the United States. Five years after work commenced, Charles Haughey performed the official opening of what was originally known as Horan International Airport, but now controversially named Ireland West Airport Knock, in May 1986. Msgr Horan was the first passenger on the inaugural flight to Rome in October of that year.
However, his relentless workload in the campaign for the airport had taken a toll on the health of the ageing monsignor. Two months after the official opening, Msgr Horan went on pilgrimage to Lourdes with members of his family and friends after marking his 75th birthday and the Golden Jubilee of his ordination. He had booked the pilgrimage earlier in the year from hospital, where he was recovering from an operation for a complicated hernia.
Msgr Horan died unexpectedly on that pilgrimage on August 1. His body was flown from Lourdes to Knock and was the first funeral to fly into Knock airport.
His body was received into the basilica by his successor Mgsr Dominick Grealy on the Feast of the Cure of Ars, the patron saint of pastoral clergy. His funeral Mass and burial were a national event and he now reposes beside the basilica in a location chosen by himself.
Airport
The story of the building of Knock Airport was immortalised in the song Knock by Christy Moore, and Msgr Horan’s life and work was chronicled in the musical A Wing and a Prayer, staged in Castlebar in 2011 to mark the 100th anniversary of his birth. That year the Annual Solemn Novena in Knock was also dedicated to his memory and a rose garden – his favourite flower – was created in the shrine grounds in his name.
Last year a memorial stone was erected in Tooreen outside Partry to mark the birthplace of the late monsignor. A bronze statue of Msgr Horan was also erected at Ireland West Airport Knock and all visitors to the airport are now greeted with open arms by the impressive 9ft bronze figure by renowned sculptor Barry Linnane, which has the an inscription at the base: “From Famine fields to jet streams.”
Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam presided at the blessing ceremony for the statue and he recalled the “boundless vision” and legendary resourcefulness of Msgr Horan. Fr Richard Gibbons, the current parish priest in Knock and Rector of Knock Shrine, said his predecessor was an “extraordinary man” who did extraordinary things. He gave hope to people and his legacy would stretch into future generations.
