Catholic Grandparents Association's Blog

Former Eurovision Winner & MEP Dana

Former Eurovision winner and MEP Dana will deliver the keynote address at the 2nd Annual Grandparents Pilgrimage in Knock which will be led by Dr Michael Neary, Archbishop of Tuam.

The purpose of the Pilgrimage is to celebrate the pivotal role of Grandparents in the transmission of the faith here in Ireland, and it will also honour St Joachim and St Anne, the Grandparents of Jesus. Children all over Ireland are invited to write a short Family Prayer in recognition of what their Grandparents have done for them, be they living or dead. The goal is to gather the largest collection of prayers ever assembled in Ireland. “Grandparents have helped to keep our families in faith and in love. Pilgrims will travel from all over Ireland to take part in this Pilgrimage,” said Catherine Wiley, the organiser of the Pilgrimage.

Catholic Grandparents Association Patron Archbishop Michael Neary

Grandparents of Jesus

Over 5,000 turned up to honour grandmothers and grandfathers at the first-ever National Grandparents Pilgrimage in Knock Shrine, Co. Mayo, at the weekend – and the gathering included a 103 year-old great-grandmother who attributes her long life to “no stress, and a regular drop of brandy.”

Bridget O’Malley from Westport, Co. Mayo, was a special guest at the celebrations that attracted grandparents, their children and grandchildren from all over Ireland.

Mrs O’Malley has one daughter (Catherine O’Reilly) and one adopted daughter (Bernadette Grimes), who, between them, have provided Mrs O’Malley with 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

“She was delighted to be invited to attend the Pilgrimage because of her great age, and she really enjoyed the day. She reads the newspaper every day, bakes brown bread every week, and she puts her good health down to no stress, and a regular drop of brandy,” said her grandson, RTE broadcaster Piaras O’Raghallaigh.

“She has always enjoyed life to the full.”

Former MEP and Eurovision winner Dana was the guest speaker at the event, which is set to become an annual event. “It was a very moving day for grandparents and their grandchildren. It was just one of saying thank you to our grandparents, and also to help them as they continue to transmit the faith from generation to generation,” said Pilgrimage organiser Catherine Wiley.

“I got the idea for the pilgrimage when I started to realise just how important a part grandmothers and grandfathers play in so many families. In many cases, they hold the family together.”

Download & Read the write-up on our Pilgrimage’s Success in The IRISH CATHOLIC NEWS

Author: Liam Horan