The Gospel of Irish Music, by Julie McCabe-Johanning (Atlantic Papers, €16.49) Traditional Irish music is one of the most important identifiers of Irish culture that exists for many people. In its various forms, both highly commercial and warmly local, it has literally conquered the world. However, we do not think of it in association with…
At the end of his weekly public audience on September 24, Pope Leo XIV said: “Within the Church the month of October is dedicated in a special way to the Holy Rosary. Therefore, I invite everyone, throughout the coming month, to pray the Rosary each day for peace — personally, within families, and in communities.”…
Not Making Hay: The life and deadlines of a “diary” farmer, by Frank McNally (Gill Books, €22.99 / £ 20.50) An Irishman’s Diary”, sometimes “An Irishwoman’s Diary”, in the Irish Times is “a near-century-old institution in Ireland’s most literary newspaper”. These are the words of the current lead writer of the Diary, Frank McNally,…
Unbridled Joy, by Joan McBreen (Salmon Poetry, €12.99) Joan McBreen’s first book of poems, The Wind Beyond The Wall, which was awarded the prestigious Nicholas Roerich poetry prize in the US, was published there and in Ireland in 1990 by the distinguished Story Line Press. Commentators noted that her poetry evokes a contemporary Ireland struggling…
The Congolese ex-president Kabila has gone into hiding and is now facing the death penalty. For the African country’s Catholic bishops, the judgement is a serious mistake that even violates the constitution. The Catholic bishops in the Democratic Republic of Congo have strongly condemned the death sentence against former President Joseph Kabila. “The death penalty…
Solidarity from Germany: three elderly nuns occupying their former convent in Goldenstein have been given a new stairlift – donated by a company from northern Hesse. The installation is celebrated on Instagram. The solidarity with three elderly nuns from Austria shows no sign of abating. On Thursday, a German company installed a new stair lift…
It had been quiet around the former primate of France for years. But Cardinal Barbarin suddenly reappeared for the papal election. Now he is 75. Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, Archbishop of Lyon from 2002 to 2020 and thus “Primate of Gaul”, will turn 75 on Friday (17 October). He thus reaches the age limit at which…
The Provincial of the Hospitaller Order of St John of God has warned that young people risk becoming trapped in a new form of addiction— not to alcohol or drugs, but to the glowing screens in their hands. The St John of God University Hospital in Stillorgan has already seen the toll firsthand. Its 28-day…
Loreto Sr Orla Treacy was granted an honorary Doctorate in Theology by St Patrick’s Pontifical University, Maynooth on September 27. The doctorate, conferred by Archbishop Eamon Martin, the university’s chancellor, is in recognition of Sr Treacy’s significant contribution to social justice and women’s educational rights across the world. Sr Treacy is a native of Carlow…
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín has accused the political establishment of deliberately preventing Maria Steen from entering the presidential election, claiming that party leaders feared she would “win the arguments” with government-backed candidates and “potentially the presidential election.” Writing in this week’s Irish Catholic newspaper, Tóibín said Steen, a barrister and commentator, is “bright, intelligent and…
Peter Costello
Renata Steffens