Knock Shrine will officially launch its new €1.5m ‘Youth Village’ on June 14, providing a dedicated space for young people to gather, reflect, and take part in retreat programmes, the rector has said
The village consists of ten accommodation pods, each designed for two people. According to Fr Richard Gibbons, Rector of Knock Shrine, the project aims to serve as a resource for young Catholics in Ireland. “We just want a space for young people here at the Shrine that they can call their own,” Fr Gibbons said.
The Youth Village will be used by various youth groups, including religious organisations and Knock Shrine’s own young volunteers who assist with activities during the summer months. “We used to use other places in Knock to keep them overnight from Friday to Sunday, but since those spaces were no longer available, we decided to move ahead with the Youth Village,” Fr Gibbons explained.
The facility will also be available for retreat groups and individuals seeking time for personal reflection. “We’re developing personal retreat programmes for people, whether individually or in groups,” Fr Gibbons said. “It’s simply a resource for the Church in Ireland.”
The official launch will take place in collaboration with the Irish Episcopal Conference and will be led by Bishop Fintan Gavin. “It’s a joint effort,” Fr Gibbons said. “The bishops are fully on board, and Bishop Gavin is bringing various youth groups together in Knock for the day. Some of them will be preparing to go to Rome for the Jubilee.”
The Youth Village has been developed on the site of Knock’s former caravan park, which Fr Gibbons said provided an ideal location due to its existing infrastructure. “We had the facilities there – water, electricity – so we just had to adapt it for the pods,” he said.
The project comes amid wider discussions about youth engagement with the Church in Ireland. The Youth Village is intended to provide a space for young people to come together in a faith-based environment. “They can find solidarity with one another and a sense of community,” Fr Gibbons said.
The launch event on June 14 will include youth groups from across Ireland, with Knock Shrine extending an invitation to those interested in attending or learning more about the new facility.
As Knock Shrine states: “Knock Youth village offers exceptional facilities – stylish, eco-friendly self-catering accommodation and communal meeting spaces, all presented in a modern aesthetic
“Knock Youth Village offers you a unique retreat destination, allowing you to have an unforgettable prayerful experience, regardless of your length of stay. This will be your home away from home during your retreat here at Knock Shrine.”
