Pope John Paul 2 in Ireland - did the popemobile travel down Griffith avenue in Dubli

nitsujj

Does anyone remember if Pope John Paul II's cavalcade (and popemobile - which I remember resembled a yellow bin lorry) travelled down Griffith Avenue in 1979?  I have a memory of being there when I was 4 but I cannot find any record of this night online. From the schedules I have found it looked as he took a helicopter to his appointments around the country with the only parade being in the Phoenix park.  I remember it was late in the evening as well.  Does this ring a bell with anyone?

Silvera

I've seen online photos of the 'Popemobile' in The Phoenix Park, but not elsewhere in Dublin. It was built on a new Ford truck, hence why it resembled 'bin trucks' of the period. It carried the registration number 'VIP 1' (which was first issued in Co. Kilkenny).

I believe the actual Popemobile is restored and on display in the Wax Museum in Dublin. There may be more information (and old videos?) of it in action around Dublin on display there.

Zaph

I remember standing in Parkgate Street, just down the road from my grandmother's house, waiting for him to come out of the Phoenix Park, not sure where he was headed to though. My sister had a small Vatican flag that she was waving so vigorously that it flew out of her hand and ended up under the front wheel of the Popemobile.

RainMakerToo

it came from the airport, down through whitehall, continued down towards Drumcondra... i was four years old, saw it from the church carpark in Whitehall.

nitsujj

thanks RainMakerToo - that makes sense, I must of seen him at the junction of Griffith avenue & Drumcondra rd (beside the Garda station).

branie2

Pope John Paul II's visit was in the year I was born

RainMakerToo

RainMakerToo wrote: »

it came from the airport, down through whitehall, continued down towards Drumcondra... i was four years old, saw it from the church carpark in Whitehall.

I thought he arrived at the Phoenix park by helicopter as it did a fly over first before he appeared "on stage" :P

I always assumed that he just went around the park in his popemobile, then hopped back into his copter and departed again

nitsujj

nitsujj wrote: »

Does anyone remember if Pope John Paul II's cavalcade (and popemobile - which I remember resembled a yellow bin lorry) travelled down Griffith Avenue in 1979?  I have a memory of being there when I was 4 but I cannot find any record of this night online. From the schedules I have found it looked as he took a helicopter to his appointments around the country with the only parade being in the Phoenix park.  I remember it was late in the evening as well.  Does this ring a bell with anyone?

Just found this- Griffith Avenue would certainly have been a logical route to take to get to O'Connell st, as he's heading southbound. Pretty sure he had visited the Drumcondra priest factory just before that appearance

https://www.irishtimes.com/pope-john-paul-ii-s-irish-visit-1.1454069

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[Deleted User] wrote: »

I thought he arrived at the Phoenix park by helicopter as it did a fly over first before he appeared "on stage" :P

I always assumed that he just went around the park in his popemobile, then hopped back into his copter and departed again

He did! This must have been at a different time.

Rocky Sharp Sign

Rocky Sharp Sign wrote: »

He did! This must have been at a different time.

Yes, his appearance on O'Connell street was probably at the end of his "tour".