Knock is famous internationally as a pilgrimage destination and attracts thousands of pilgrims every year to the spiritual shrine. It all began on the 21st August 1879 when Our Lady, St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist appeared at the south gable of Knock Parish Church. The apparition was witnessed by fifteen people, young and old. This miraculous occurrence led Knock to achieving the status of an internationally recognised Marian Shrine and as a result has its own airport.