The United Irish Pilgrimages to Lourdes (UIPL) have expressed their regret on the closure of Joe Walsh Pilgrim tours Ltd. Father Raymond Milton PP VF, Chairperson of UIPL and Bishop Kevin Doran of Elphin, President of UIPL have issued the following statement:

“It is with sincere regret that the executive of 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.”

ENDS