It is with sincere regret that the executive of United Irish Pilgrimages to Lourdes (UIPL) has learned that Joe Walsh Pilgrim tours Ltd is to cease trading. The company has provided a friendly and highly professional service to generations of Irish pilgrims. On behalf of our pilgrimage directors and of the many pilgrims who have travelled with us over the years, we wish to express our sincere gratitude to the directors and staff, past and present, of Joe Walsh Pilgrim tours Ltd for their care and attention and also for their respect for the concept of pilgrimage and the work of pilgrimage groups.
We understand that this is a difficult time for the directors and staff of the company, and we pray that Our Lady of Lourdes will be a refuge and a comfort to all of them whose lives are touched adversely by this development. We hope that there will be happier times ahead for all concerned.
The UIPL executive will endeavour to ascertain what options may be available to fill the void created by the loss of Joe Walsh Pilgrim tours. We are confident that, with God’s help, we will be able to resume pilgrimages to Lourdes in 2022.
Father Raymond Milton PP VF, +Kevin Doran, Bishop of Elphin
Chairperson UIPL President UIPL
ENDS
Notes for Editors
United Irish Pilgrimages to Lourdes (UIPL) is the association of Diocesan Directors of Pilgrimages to Lourdes. In addition to liaising with the Sanctuary of Notre Dame de Lourdes to plan the Pilgrimage season each year, UIPL is actively engaged in coordinating pilgrimage flights to and from Irish airports, with travel agents and charter airlines.
For media contact: Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long +353 (0) 86 172 7678 and Brenda Drumm +353 (0) 87 310 4444.