Although better known for their holidays in Britian and Europe, Silcox Coaches recently operated their first ever pilgrimage tour.
They took pilgrims from Tenby, Pembroke Dock and Milford Haven to Our Lady's Shrine in Knock, which is Ireland's holiest shrine, visited by millions of pilgrims from all over the world each year. It was here in 1979 that Pope John Paul II called his visit to Knock "The goal of my journey to Ireland," as he celebrated mass in front of half-a-million people.
The pilgrimage was based at the Knock House Hotel, and enjoyed visits to Westport and Galway. The highlight of the pilgrimage was the Rosary Procession to the basilica - one of two in Ireland, for Concelebrated Mass and Anointing of the Sick.
Josie Crouch, Bob Lashley and Douglas D'Souza were invited to join the choir and sang in front of hundreds of pilgrims from around the world.
In the evening there was an emotional meeting with Marion Carroll, who related her story of 16 years ago when she attended the Anointing of the Sick as an invalid in the late stages of multiple sclerosis, and miraculously walked home.
"Although it was a long journey to the north-west of Ireland, the pilgrimage was a huge success, and enjoyed by all," said group leader and driver, Tony Hopkins, of Silcox Coaches.