Knock

Travel Guide

Knock
Knock
Knock
Photo by Karen Amicone Shelton
With a name that simply means hill, Knock is a settlement of around a thousand inhabitants located in the far west of Ireland, served by a major airport.

Knock is an ideal place for visitors who want to discover something of rural Ireland outside of the main urban areas. A gem in the heart of County Mayo, Knock is a beautiful village that has been a place of pilgrimage for over a century. For religious visitors and holidaymakers alike, the settlement has plenty to offer in terms of bed and breakfast accommodation, as well as a larger-scale hotel with 68 rooms. The west of Ireland, surrounding Knock, is renowned for its natural beauty and is popular with hikers and cyclists. The wider County Mayo area is home to some of the republic's best links courses, often sporting stunning views over the Atlantic Ocean.

Take a stroll around Knock to discover one of the world's most important Christian shrines. In excess of a million pilgrims come to the village church each year to worship at the place where, in 1879, 15 people claimed to have witnessed a vision of the Virgin Mary, St Joseph and St John. Pope John Paul II went to the church himself during his famous visit to Ireland in 1979, and the site remains important in the area for both believers and non-believers.

Head south from the shrine for around a hundred metres to get to Knock's fascinating village museum. For visitors who don't necessarily know what all the fuss is about with a Victorian age vision, the museum helps to put the whole phenomenon into context. Not only does it delve into the details of what happened in 1879, but also charts the rise of Knock's tourism industry and often runs workshops, such as drawing and painting sessions.

Use the bus service or hire a bicycle to head to the nearby village of Kiltimagh. The 10-minute journey is rewarded with Kiltimagh Railway Museum. During the 1980s, the local Historical Society acquired the old goods store and converted it into a museum devoted to all things locomotive. As well as railway artefacts, the museum covers the period when many local inhabitants emigrated from the area, making it a favourite for Anglo-Irish and Irish-American families, among others.

Situated a little further to the northwest of Kiltimgh is Foxford Woollen Mills. It takes about half an hour to get there by road from Knock, and the mills offer the chance for visitors to see how County Mayo's famous rugs and tweeds and blankets are fashioned in 19th century surroundings. The visitor centre also houses a well-run restaurant.

Return to Knock in the evening to enjoy what the village has to offer in terms of nightlife. Like many places in rural Ireland, the pub is the centre of village life and Knock has several to discover, including the New Thatch Pub and Kilkenny's Bar. Flanagan's is another hostelry offering a warm welcome, situated a few kilometres to the south in Treanrevagh.

Travelling to Knock really means opening up all that County Mayo and the rest of the west of Ireland has to offer.

Knock House Hotel
Knock House Hotel
3 out of 5
Ballyhaunis Road, Knock, County Mayo
The price is €160 per night from 23 Jul to 24 Jul
€160
23 Jul - 24 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Knock. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (80 reviews)
Perfect, comfortable and close by!
"Situated perfectly for our stay, the whole experience was very positive and I’ll definitely be recommending this hotel. Staff couldn’t have been more helpful and friendly."

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

Knock House Hotel
The International
The International
3.5 out of 5
Main Street, Knock, County Mayo
Stay at this 3.5-star family-friendly vacation home in Knock. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Basilica of Our Lady, Queen ...
The International
The Ellison Hotel
The Ellison Hotel
4 out of 5
Lannagh Road, Castlebar, Mayo
The price is €130 per night from 10 Jul to 11 Jul
€130
10 Jul - 11 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Castlebar. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (633 reviews)
Beautiful hotel clean and comfortable
"Hotel was clean and the bed was comfortable. The location was very convenient to the shopping and restaurants. McDonald’s across the street."

Reviewed on 6 Jul 2025

The Ellison Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The International
The International
3.5 out of 5
Main Street, Knock, County Mayo
Stay at this 3.5-star family-friendly vacation home in Knock. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Basilica of Our Lady, Queen ...
The International
Family & Pet Friendly Restored Cottage in East Mayo with  4* Bord Failte Award
Family & Pet Friendly Restored Cottage in East Mayo with 4* Bord Failte Award
Unknown
Book a stay at this family-friendly cottage in Logboy. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions St Patrick's Church and Augustinian ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (169 reviews)
A home from home
"Great place to stay, charming, excellent location, beautiful scenery. Great comfortable beds and very clean"

Reviewed on 27 Jun 2025

Family & Pet Friendly Restored Cottage in East Mayo with 4* Bord Failte Award
Hideaway
Hideaway
3.5 out of 5
Ballinrobe
Stay at this 3.5-star cottage in Ballinrobe. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Ashford Castle and Carrigeenturlough are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
"Great place to stay"

Reviewed on 21 Jun 2025

Hideaway
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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