Pope John Paul II crowd waiting at Matt Talbot Shrine

This 1979 photograph and text is from the Dublin City Council Photographic Collection at http://www.dublincity.ie/image/libraries/030-our-lady-lourdes.

"Our Lady of Lourdes was built in 1954 and contains the shrine of Matt Talbot (1856-1925). This photo was taken during the visit of Pope John Paul II in September 1979. 

Pope John Paul II had voiced his support for the beatification of Matt Talbot and the locals were convinced that the Pontiff would visit the shrine. 

Despite many weeks preparation, the Papal cavalcade swept past the disappointed gathering. As one local put it: 'no joyrider even came down Sean McDermott Street so fast'."