As Air Force One departed from Ireland last month carrying the 46th President of the United States back home following his visit to Ireland, it also carried a special gift . Presented to the President by Fr Richard Gibbons, Rector of Knock Shrine, the gift was a mounted piece of stone from the original church gable wall in Knock where, in August 1879, a number of local people witnessed an apparition of the Virgin Mary, St Joseph and St John the Evangelist.
The wooden mount and presentation box which holds this precious stone was designed and manufactured by ICS Church Furniture, Dromod, Co. Leitrim.
Commenting on the gift, Gavin Duignan MD of ICS said
“Our partnership with Knock parish and in particular Knock Basilica and Fr. Richard has brought about some very special moments for ICS. Having designed and manufactured the seating and sanctuary furniture for the Basilica and surrounding churches, ICS also had the honour of designing and manufacturing the seat used by Pope Francis during his visit in 2018. Today we are privileged to think that the White House is now home to a very special gift to President Biden and that we in ICS Furniture were part of the creation of that piece”
Images curtesy of Knock Shrine and Photographer Sinead Mallee
