Dundalk people recall ‘once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’ of being part of Pope Francis’ visit to Ireland

Pope Francis was only the second pope to visit Ireland as he followed in the footsteps of Pope John Paul II whose papal visit in 1979 was one of the biggest events of the 20th century.

The first Latin American Pope’s two-day visit on August 25 and 26, 2018 saw him addressing the Catholic World Meeting of Families in Croke Park, celebrating Mass in the Phoenix Park, and visiting Knock Shrine in County Mayo.

Dundalk fireman Joseph Woods and his then fiancée, now wife, Katie Bailey were among the 250 married and engaged couples who had a special audience with the Pope in the Pro Cathedral on the Saturday afternoon.

“It was an amazing opportunity to be in the presence of someone who is held in such high esteem around the world,” recalls Joseph.

"I just thought that he had a real presence. He lit up the room when he came in.”

He said that despite the Pope’s recent illness, news of his death had come as a shock as the Pontiff had greeted thousands in St. Peter's Square from his open-air Popemobile after Mass on Easter Sunday.

Joseph said that he believes that the legacy of Pope Francis’ will be that “he took a different approach from those that went before him. He cared for everyone and was a breath of fresh air for the Church.”

At the time of the papal visit, Katie was a member of the audience for 'Would You Believe' and spoke about what the experience of meeting the Pope meant to her.

'It was a once in a lifetime opportunity, a very special memory to have,” she told presenter Joe Duffy.

She said that there was a very special atmosphere in the Pro Cathedral, where Pope Francis prayed at the Candle of Innocence, which has been burning in the Pro Cathedral in memory of all the victims of clerical abuse since 2010, before addressing the couples from around the country.

"He was very inspiring and also very funny,” she said, adding that the Pontiff told them that the three key phrases for a happy marriage were “Please, thank you and I'm sorry”.

Dancers from two local Irish dancing schools had the memorable experience of dancing for Pope Francis during his visit, performing at the Festival of Families in Croke Park.

"It was an honour to perform at such a prestigious event,” says Dervla Magee of the McGee School of Irish Dancing.

"It was very special and I remember there was a real feeling of peace and calm in the stadium even though there were so many people there,” she recalls. “There was a sense of awe at being in the Pope’s presence.”

Dancers from the school were among the 500 dancers from all over Ireland who surrounded the pitch as the Riverdance troupe danced to the iconic 1984 Eurovision piece composed by Bill Whelan. Dundalk dancer Elliot Kwele, who was just 13 at the time, was invited to join the Riverdance troupe for their performance.

A further 30 dancers from the Darver-based CosCeol Irish dancing school were among the vast assembly of dancers, singers and musicians who provided the entertainment for the 82,000 who filled Croke Park.

Members of Dundalk's Setanta Choir also had the honour of singing for Pope Francis as they joined choirs from around the country in the two-hour festival which was televised around the world.

Champion Irish dancers, brothers and sister Oisín and Katie Lennon, made a presentation to the Pope at the event.

Local Comhaltas musicians provide entertainment in the RDS during an event for visitors from around the world who had travelled to Dublin for the papal visit.

Members of Louth Civil Defence assisted with stewarding at the Mass in the Phoenix Park.

Former Senator John McGahon recalled being among a delegation of Oireachtas members who travelled to Rome in October 2021 to the pre-COP26 Conference.

"Alongside 100 parliamentarians from around the world, we were granted an audience with the Pope to hear his views on the climate crisis.”

"He struck me as a deeply humble and kind man, and it was incredible to be in his presence and to hear him speak.”