Fr. Richard Gibbons, Rector, Knock Shrine, with Sinead Mallee, event organiser on behalf of Knock Community Centre committee, and singer John McNicholl, at the launch of Songs of Hope, taking place in Knock Basilica on March 21.Photo courtesy of Pauline Flatley.

Songs of Hope concert at Mayo basilica

KNOCK Community Centre committee have just completed a €450,000 refurbishment and renovation of the centre, which was a near-derelict building.

Works were carried out by Kellman Developments Ltd., part-funded under the Community Centres Investment Fund to the tune of €300,000, and local fundraising initiatives and generous donations.

The centre is now up and running, but the group are fundraising to buy additional furniture and IT equipment, signage, etc.

Community centre officer and well known photographer Sinéad Mallee is coordinating a 'Songs of Hope' concert to be held in Knock Basilica on Friday, March 21, as a fundraiser for the centre. This promises to be a very special evening of Gospel songs, country music and inspirational hymns, featuring John McNicholl, Donna Taggart, Louise Morrissey, Brendan Shine and daughter Emily, with Knock's director of music, Una Nolan, and the wonderful Knock Schola Cantorum Basilicae Choir.

Tickets are available online from Eventbrite.ie or locally from the information centre at Knock Shrine, St. Brigid's Gift Shop, Main Street, or at Knock Post Office. For those with mobility needs, wheelchair accessible tickets are available - contact (094) 9388141.

Accommodation is available at Knock House Hotel and St. Mary's Accommodation Knock. All proceeds to Knock Community Centre Redevelopment Fund.