Apparitions

Documentary which looks at the phenomenon of apparitions, following self-proclaimed visionary Joe Coleman on his pilgrimages to Knock between Autumn 2009 and May 2010 meeting his followers and his detractors.

In October 2009, over 12,000 people gathered at Knock Shrine in County Mayo. They came to witness an apparition of the Virgin Mary. It was a gathering reminiscent of the hysteria caused by the Irish 'moving statues' of the mid 1980's.

'Our Lady's' alleged visit had been predicted by self-proclaimed healer and visionary, Joe Coleman. From Ballyfermot in Dublin, Joe Coleman is a recent addition to religious 'seers' worldwide. He claims the Virgin Mary has been appearing to him since childhood. He maintains she wants him to communicate to the world on her behalf.

Last autumn the huge crowd that clapped and prayed at perceived visions of spinning suns put Joe Coleman in the media spotlight. The press scramble placed Joe on the front page of national newspapers, radio and television. Many radio callers were inspired by him; others denounced him as a charlatan. The media attention and continued predictions of apparitions has also put him at odds with Knock Shrine's authorities.

This documentary follows self-proclaimed visionary, Joe Coleman, on his pilgrimages to Knock between Autumn 2009 and May 2010. The film meets Joe's followers and his detractors. It explores the phenomenon of religious apparitions in contexts ranging from science to faith, economics to psychology. It looks at the social history of Irish apparitions in times of crisis, including the moving statues of Ballinspittle 25 years ago. It also considers Irish interest in Marian shrines internationally. In a time of economic recession and a church in crisis, spiritual succour still retains a powerful attraction.

The documentary is broadcast to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the Irish and Ballinspittle Moving Statues.