LONDON
A number of Goans from Wicklow and Dublin participated in a pilgrimage to the Knock Shrine, an international Eucharistic and Marian Shrine in Ireland, on July 19.
Since the Apparition of Mary on August 21, 1879, pilgrims and visitors have been visiting the Knock Shrine from all across the world. The shrine offers a peaceful, contemplative space in which to pray, to reflect and to reconnect.
Milla Hancock, a Goan who hails from Arambol and was one of the organisers of the pilgrimage from Wicklow-Ireland, said a large number of Goans had participated in the pilgrimage.
“It turned out to be an amazing day and having so many Goans together on the holy ground of Knock was indeed a blessing and a memorable experience. Our trip to Our Lady of Knock was very prayerful. Fr Shawn celebrated the Mass in Konkani. After celebrating the Mass, he blessed the statues for the pilgrims,” said Milla.
“After the pilgrimage, I interacted with a few pilgrims, and they admitted having experienced something that they have never done before. Two guys spoke to me and said they prayed for their needs and by the time the pilgrimage had ended there, both said they had received what they requested from Our Lady of Knock.”
“One person told me that he had goosebumps while the Mass was being celebrated and admitted that he had never felt like that in his entire life.”
Milla said she would like to continue this pilgrimage once a year and hopes to have a Goan priest celebrating Mass in Konkani.
She also expressed her gratitude to her fellow organiser Ajay Fernandes from Dublin, who coordinated the Goan pilgrims from Dublin.
GOANS IN IRELAND
The Irish Goemkar Committee has been in promoting Goan traditions in Ireland.
Milla, one of the Irish Goemkar committee members who has been living in Ireland for three decades, said the Goans in Ireland have been active since 1996 and have been supporting the community on various occasions.
“The Irish Goemkar is a registered community in Ireland. The purpose to register this community is to support our fellow Goans living in Ireland and also Irish people who have welcomed us in their country. Our mission is also to provide support, both financially and emotionally, to those who are struggling or vulnerable in our community,” said Milla.
Milla said the Irish Goemkar community has been actively involved in a number of activities over the years.
“We have raised money for tsunami victims under Red Cross guidance and donated food and clothing to homeless people, both in our community and surrounding areas. We raised funds for the sick people who could not pay their hospitals bills and buy medications.”
“We have visited local nursing homes to provide company and support to our elderly community. We have also donated vouchers to people in need.”
Besides, Milla’s Barbers has volunteered several times to provide haircuts to the homeless under the streetlights and in her salon.
In 2024, Milla, a businesswoman based in Kilcoole-Wicklow has become the first Indian to be awarded the ‘People of the Year Cultural Award’ for the Greystones District outside of Dublin, in recognition of her dedicated work for the Indian Goan community in Ireland.
Then Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris had also praised the contributions of the Irish Goan community in Greystones District.
“The contributions that the Irish Goan community has made to Greystones is invaluable, and I
have been truly inspired by your dedication to this,” stated Harris, in a letter to Milla, while congratulating her on winning the ‘People of the Year Cultural Award’.