The first transatlantic pilgrimage flight to Knock Shrine has landed.

The flight from JFK to Ireland West Airport was carrying 178 pilgrims - including the Archbishop of New York, Cardinal Timothy Dolan.

The airport caters for about 700,000 passengers annually and is worth in the region of €130 million to the local economy.

This morning's landing marked the return of transatlantic flights to the west after an absence of eight years.

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny was there to greet the first passengers as they arrived: