My visit to Lourdes with the Irish Pilgrimage Trust
Hannah, pictured right, in Lourdes this year.
My name is Hannah O’Mahony and I am 25 years old, from Ballinroad Lower, Dungarvan Co. Waterford. The first time I got chosen to go to Lourdes I was 13 years old I travelled with the Waterford group attached to the Irish Pilgrimage Trust, now known as the Rise and Shine Trust, which was group 203.
We did lots of activities, like visiting Hosanna House, the grotto, the baths, and then we had a Trust Mass.
I was so lucky again to get picked to go this time.
I went with the Enniscorthy group 94 in 2018, 2024 and this year, 2026, where I got to experience Lourdes again, which I loved. We did various activities, like visiting Hosanna House, the grotto, the Cité Saint-Pierre (City of the Poor), bowling, singing, games, and lots more.
The highlight of the week is the Trust Mass, where all the groups get to meet each other and get to sing and dance.
Rise and Shine is an independent, self-funding, national, inclusive, and volunteer-led charity that provides supported pilgrimage holidays to guests with additional needs and respite to their families.
They strive to give guests and volunteers meaningful memories, the opportunity for personal growth, and an unforgettable life-changing experience.
The volunteers are completely dedicated, and they all believe in the importance and necessity of what we do.
The trust brings children and young people with additional needs on a week-long pilgrimage holiday to Lourdes each Easter.
400 young people with additional needs are invited as guests. This trip is free for guests as the volunteers fundraise for it. Volunteers pay for their own trip.
