Ireland national Grandparents pilgrimage

Over 2,000 people are expected to gather in Knock in Co Mayo today for Ireland's first-ever National Grandparents Pilgrimage.
The aim of today's event is to honour all grandparents for the role they play in Irish families.
It gets underway at half past two this afternoon.
A 103-year-old grandmother from Mayo will be among those taking part.

Search For Oldest Grandparents Is Renewed
An appeal to find out Ireland’s oldest grandparents and bring them on an all expenses paid trip has already found a 96 year-old grandmother and grandfather.
The organisers of the first ever National Grandparents Pilgrimage will pay for Irelands oldest granny and grandad to come to Knock shrine this month and they are hopeful that will top the 100 year-old mark.
"We have been inundated with interest. So far the oldest entrants are a 96 year-old granny from Galway and a 96 year-old granddad from Wexford, but we know of a lady over the age of 100 who might enter," said Catherine Wiley, who is organising the pilgrimage.
"We will take care of accommodation, travel and food expenses for the day to honour the importance of grandparents all over the country."

Thousands of grandparents from all over the country will converge on Knock shrine on Saturday, September 22nd for the unique event. The pilgrimage has been bombarded with interest from all over the country and has even caught the attention of Pope Benedict XVI who has imparted his Apostolic Blessing and promised to pray for Irish grandparents.

Former MEP and Eurovision winner Dana will be the keynote speaker on the day and will sing ‘Our Lady of Knock’ to the congregation.
"Grandmothers and grandfathers play a very important role in so many families. In many cases, they hold the family together," added Catherine.
"Many grandparents today are struggling with the effects of divorced, separated, second union, or single parent families on their children and their children's children. I have ten grandchildren and I know the special relationship that exists between grandparents and grandchildren."
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Ireland national Grandparents pilgrimage