A news story posted today on the website for the Irish newspaper The Western People includes some quotes from Dolores O’Riordan’s father, Terry O’Riordan, on the subject of the 125th anniversary of an apparation of the Virgin Mary at Knock Church in east Mayo.

On August 21, 1879, fifteen people witnessed an apparition of Mary, Joseph, and John the Baptist at the Knock Church. Since then, the church has become the largest attraction in Ireland, drawing in nearly 1.5 million visitors each year. From August 14th to the 22nd of this year, it is estimated that nearly 100,000 pilgrims visited the shine, including Terry O’Riordan, Dolores’s father.

O’Riordan, who had a debilitating motorcycle accident earlier in his life, believes that the miracle at Knock has blessed his recovery: “I’ve had a few bad crashes and if it weren’t for Knock, I wouldn’t be here today.” According to reporter Marian Harrison, O’Riordan also said that he thanked God for his daughter’s success.

Source: The Western People