Kalological Knock
Knock in County Mayo, may be only a small town, barely more than a village, but it is the most visited town in The Republic of Ireland.
Its fame comes from the Knock Shrine, where it is claimed that The Virgin Mary appeared in the late 19th century, along with St. Joseph and St. John. Over 1.5 million people now flock to the area every year, and there is a selection of accommodation, eating establishments and shops to cater for this annual influx of visitors. Knock International airport is situated just 10 miles from the town itself, and in the main is serviced by budget airlines.
For most visitors, the reason for travelling to Knock is to visit the shrine, however the West of Ireland, is a wild and beautiful place, reflecting the history and culture of its people. You will undoubtedly benefit from hiring a car in this area, so as to maximise your trip to take in many unique places of interest. Within a couple of hours drive of Knock, you can reach the beautiful Donegal Hills, the historic town of (London)Derry, and the beautiful Erne lakes in County Fermanagh.
An even shorter drive away, will have you in the town of Sligo, so closely associated with the poet Yeats, or Galway known as the City of the Tribes. If you've a passion for the great outdoors Ireland is fabulous.
There are so many diverse activities available for you to try, from whale watching and horse riding, to water sports such as surfing, diving and sailing; and being in Ireland, no sportsman should pass up the opportunity to play at least a round of golf on one of the many superb quality links courses available in the area, where the fairways will at times take you right to the Atlantic Ocean's edge.