James Horan (Monsignor)

James Horan (5 May 1911 – 1 August 1986) born in Partry, County Mayo, Ireland, was a parish priest of Knock, County Mayo. He is most widely known for his successful campaign to bring an airport to Knock, his work on Knock Basilica, and is also credited for inviting Pope John Paul II to visit Knock Shrine in 1979.

Educated at St. Jarlath's College, Tuam, Monsignor Horan trained for the priesthood in St Patrick's College, Maynooth. He was ordained in 1936, and his first post was in Glasgow, where he remained for three years. Having served as chaplain on an ocean liner and briefly in Ballyglunin, County Galway, he became curate in Tooreen, a small townland close to Ballyhaunis, County Mayo. While there, he organized the construction of a dance hall, which became a popular local amenity. He secured finance for the project by collecting £8,000 on a tour of American cities. After also serving in Cloonfad, he was transferred to Knock in 1963, where he became parish priest in 1967. Horan was troubled by the struggles of daily life and mass emigration in the west of Ireland and he worked to improve the living standards of the local community.

While stationed at Knock, Horan oversaw the building of a new church for Knock Shrine, which was dedicated in 1976. The shrine was the stated goal of Pope John Paul II's visit in 1979. The pope travelled to Knock as part of a state visit to Ireland, marking the centenary of the famous Knock apparitions. Horan worked with Judy Coyne to organise the papal visit. He was responsible for the refurbishment of the church grounds, along with the construction of a huge church, with a capacity of 15,000. This newly constructed church was given the status of basilica by the pope. The day after the papal visit, Horan began his campaign to build an international airport in Barnacuige, a small village near Charlestown, County Mayo.

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