Offaly faithful left disappointed as itinerary revealed for Pope's Irish visit

Offaly people hoping for a visit from Pope Francis have been left disappointed after his full schedule for his visit this summer was confirmed.

Many people remained hopeful that Pope Francis would follow in the footsteps of Pope John Paul who visited and said a short mass at the monastic site of Clonmacnoise during his 1979 visit to Ireland.

Over 20,000 people attended the historic event on the banks of the Shannon but the closest Pope Francis will come to the Faithful county is flying over it as he heads from Dublin to Knock on the second day of his visit here in August.

The highlights of the visit in 2018 will be Pope Francis's attendance at the Feast of Families event in Croke Park and a Holy Mass in the Phoenix Park, similar to that performed by Pope John Paul in 1979.

Many Offaly people will travel to those events but many are also expected to head west to catch a glimpse of the pontiff as he visits Knock on Sunday, August 26.

This is the full schedule for the visit of Pope Francis in August:

Saturday 25 August 2018
08:15 - Departure by plane from Rome/Fiumicino for Dublin
 
10:30 - Arrival and official welcome at Dublin International Airport

10:45 - Transfer to Áras an Uachtaráin

11:15 - Arrival and welcome ceremony at the Presidential Residence in front of the main entrance of the Residence

11:30 - Courtesy visit to the President in the Presidential Residence

12:00 - Transfer to Dublin Castle

12:10 - Arrival at Dublin Castle to meet with authorities, civil society and diplomatic corps

Speech of the Holy Father

15:30 - Arrival at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral

VISIT to the CATHEDRAL

Greeting of the Holy Father

16:15 - Transfer to the Day Centre of the Capuchin Fathers

16:30 - Private visit to the Day Centre for Homeless Families of the Capuchin Fathers

19:30 - Arrival at Croke Park Stadium

19:45 - Feast of Families in Croke Park Stadium

Speech of the Holy Father

Sunday 26 August 2018

08:40 - Departure by plane for Knock

09:20 - Arrival at the Airport in Knock

Immediate transfer to the Shrine

09:45 - Arrival at Knock Shrine

Visit to the Chapel of Knock Shrine

Angelus on the square in front of the Shrine

Angelus of the Holy Father

10:45 - Transfer to the airport in Knock

11:10 - Arrival at the airport in Knock

11:15 - Departure by plane for Dublin

11:50 - Arrival at Dublin International Airport

Lunch with the Papal Delegation

14:30 - Arrival at Phoenix Park

15:00 - Holy Mass in Phoenix Park

Homily of the Holy Father

Meeting with the bishops in the Convent of the Dominican Sisters

Speech of the Holy Father

18:30 - Arrival at Dublin International Airport and farewell ceremony

18:45 - Departure by plane for Roma/Ciampino

23:00 - Arrival at the Airport of Roma/Ciampino

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