Skip to main content

Lourdes & the Irish Connection

Ireland has had a long connection with the pilgrimage town of Lourdes with groups and individuals travelling there in their thousands each year, seeking hope, healing and peace.

The first English-speaking pilgrimage to Lourdes was organised by Fr Michael Ring OMI (Oblates of Mary Immaculate) in 1883, just 25 years after the Apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes. The pilgrims travelled overland from Dublin and London. Since then Oblates and pilgrims from Ireland and the UK have been travelling to Lourdes annually.

Many travel out of devotion, others out of curiosity, some with an urgent petition seeking healing or a miracle, and many volunteers journey in a spirit of service and accompaniment.

The Irish began this journey of pilgrimage very shortly after the apparitions began in 1858 with early records showing Irish pilgrims had travelled there since the 1880’s.

Ireland, being devoutly catholic and desperately impoverished in many parts, meant that the vast majority could not afford to make the pilgrimage there. Diocesan, parish and religious communities organised pilgrimages and fundraised (and continue to do so) to bring the sick, the elderly and the desolate to Lourdes.

Lourdes shrines and grottos appeared around the country and were built in an effort to bring Lourdes to Ireland, so that those who could not travel could experience the message of Lourdes too. Devotion to Saint Bernadette and Our Lady of Lourdes became very popular.

Grateful Irish pilgrims and devotees donated the Gold Crown of the Rosary Basilica in 1924 – an amazing feat at the time. It is said that many donated their only items of value, their wedding rings, to enable the construction of this beautiful gift to Our Lady and the Sanctuary of Lourdes.

Today, some thousands still travel to Lourdes, with organised pilgrimage groups departing Ireland for Lourdes each year.

© 2024 St Bernadette Relic Pilgrimage of Ireland 2024. | Oilithreacht Thaisí Naomh Bernadette, Éire 2024 | Site Design Credits