September 29, 1979

Pope John Paul II arrives in Dublin for the first ever papal visit to Ireland. His visit coincides with the feast of St. Michael, celebrated on September 29th. Pope John Paul II marched through Phoenix Park on this day, greeting over one million people, the largest gathering of Irish people ever. He made a speech, saying that like St. Patrick he had heard “the voice of the Irish.” The Pope also celebrated the first ever Papal mass on Irish soil.