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Ireland: Melleray Grotto: Our Lady Of Lourdes Shrine

About Our Lady Of Lourdes Shrine In Melleray Grotto

Located in County Waterford, Melleray Abbey is a Cistercian Abbey (Trappists) who came to this area in 1832.  They set up the Grotto in 1982, as a place for people to gather in prayer. They also put up a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes.

On the afternoon of August 16, 1985, only a short time afer the grotto was set up, a 16-year-old girl named Ursula O’Rourke, who was visiting the grotto Grotto with her family, looked up and noticed that the staue was weaving.

The official leaflet of the Grotto states that Ursula said:   “The statue of the Blessed Virgin stood there, her gown blowing as of in the wind. Her hands were joined in prayer, and her head moved in a very slow reverent movement. North, South, East and West, the green shrubbery around her spun. It formed a very dark green, which made Our Lady shine brightly.”

She said that Our Lady spoke of how God was angry with the world and how we must change. If we don’t change, then she said, “The devil would take over God’s Church in ten years”.

In the days following, the apparition would also be witnessed by local farmer named Micheal O’Donnell, and by a number of other locals including Tom Cliffe, 12 years old and his cousin, Barry Buckley, 11 years old, who claimed to see the Virgin each night over the course of five days.

As the days passed people came from all over the country to see the Grotto including a number of buses from Northern Ireland during the Troubles to pray for peace.

Click here for a website that tells about the apparitions in greater detail.

It should be noted that the Church has neither approved nor disapproved of these apparitions.
Click here for the official website of Mount Melleray Abbey in County Waterford, Ireland.

Visiting Melleray Abbey:

There is an exhibition centre that outlines the history of Mount Melleray in words and picture, through a series of panels. These begin with the arrival of the Cistercians in Ireland through to the…

There is a restuarant and tea room serving delicious homemade soups, sandwiches and a selection of cakes.

The book shop opens daily from 2.30 pm until 5:00 pm where a selection of books and religious items are available.

There is a guest house here for those who wish to stay. Sadly, many of the monks have passed away in recent years.

Address: Cappoquin, Co. Waterford, Ireland.

Tel (Guesthouse):  +353 058 54404.

email: use contact form on their website.

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