Pope John Paul II's 1979 visit to Ireland... Pope John Paul II made a historic visit to Ireland in September 1979, the first by any pope, which drew massive crowds and included events in cities like Dublin, Limerick, and Galway. During the trip, he knelt and kissed the ground upon arrival, addressed the crowds with a famous plea for peace in Northern Ireland, and held masses that were attended by millions. The visit was a major cultural and religious event, marked by significant public enthusias