Melleray · Cappaquin · Co. Waterford · 1985
Mount Melleray Grotto
Over nine days in August 1985, Our Blessed Lady was seen at a small grotto below the Cistercian monastery, and gave a message of peace and prayer for Ireland and the world.
Currently being investigated
Melleray Grotto is a little grotto one mile below the Cistercian Monastery of Mount Melleray in the Knockmealdown Mountains. High on the cliff face is set a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, and by its side flows the small Monavugga River.
The Cistercian Monks first came to this area in 1832 and eventually set up the statue of Our Lady. Ursula O'Rourke, a seventeen year old local teenager, was the first to see Our Lady, on 16 August 1985, while she was at the grotto with her mother, her sister Mary and her brothers John and Donal. To her amazement, she noticed that the statue of Our Lady was moving. When Ursula finally said “Why me?” Our Lady smiled, and when she said “Please bless all my family,” Our Lady smiled even more.
Read the full storyThe Timeline
The Nine Days
Day 1
Friday 16 August 1985
Ursula O'Rourke sees the statue of Our Lady come alive at the grotto.
Read about Day 1 →Day 2
Saturday 17 August 1985
The statue moves again; visions of Jesus and Padre Pio are reported.
Read about Day 2 →Day 3
Sunday 18 August 1985
Tom Cliffe sees Our Lady, and Michael O'Donnell is told: “Preserve Sunday for prayer.”
Read about Day 3 →Day 4
Monday 19 August 1985
Tom and Barry Buckley see Our Lady, who asks for prayer and gives her message of peace.
Read about Day 4 →Day 5
Tuesday 20 August 1985
“I love the Irish people. I want the Irish people to spread my message to the world.”
Read about Day 5 →Day 6
Wednesday 21 August 1985
Our Lady asks for hymns and prayers, and for the world to believe.
Read about Day 6 →Day 7
Thursday 22 August 1985
The boys keep vigil at the grotto as crowds continue to gather.
Read about Day 7 →Day 8
Friday 23 August 1985
Prayer continues at the grotto as the nine days draw towards their close.
Read about Day 8 →Day 9
Saturday 24 August 1985
The final evening of the apparitions at Melleray Grotto.
Read about Day 9 →
Her Messages
“My message is Peace and Prayer and no more fighting in the world.”
Our Lady of Melleray
“Preserve Sunday for prayer.”
Our Lady of Melleray
“I want the Irish people to spread my message to the world.”
Our Lady of Melleray
The Visionaries
Those who saw Our Lady
Ursula O'Rourke
Aged 16 — the first to report seeing Our Lady
Michael O'Donnell
A local farmer — the first to receive a clear public message
Tom Cliffe
Aged 12 — saw Our Lady each evening
Barry Buckley
Aged 11 — Tom's cousin, saw Our Lady with him
The Hymn
Peace is Flowing Like a River
Peace is flowing like a river, flowing out of you and me. Flowing out into the desert, setting all the captives free.
Read all the verses →Latest News
Week of prayer and remembrance in Mount Melleray
In memory of the Marian apparition, Melleray grotto outside Cappoquin in West Waterford celebrates with a week of prayer and remembrance.
Read the news →Stay Connected
Latest from Facebook
Follow the Mount Melleray Grotto page for news, events and prayer updates.
Follow us on Facebook