Legacy, Ireland’s National Properties, by David Hare (Gill Books, €27.99/£28.99) Irish Heritage Studies; The Annual Research Journal of the Office of Public Works, volume 2, 2026, edited by Caroline Pegum (Office of Public Works/Gandon Editions, €20.00) America at Home: The Architecture and Politics of the US Embassy in Dublin, by Cormac Murray (Phibsboro…
I followed the coverage of Pope Leo’s recent pastoral visit to Paris and was deeply moved by the images coming from the French capital. Who could remain unmoved by the sight of nearly one million people gathered for Mass in the heart of the city? And who could fail to be touched by the sight…
The Vatican has held up Ireland’s missionary monks as a model for responding to cultural upheaval while calling for an investigation into the “sudden decline in Catholicism” in countries where faith was once deeply rooted. In Venite ad me, published on October 22, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith says Irish monasticism helped…
A painting of Our Lady of Šiluva was sent to Ireland and will go on pilgrimage around the country before finding its final destination in Knock. This is to mark 50 years since Irish solicitor Gerard O’Mahony, inspired by the Helsinki Accords, suggested sending a statue of Our Lady to Lithuanian Catholics facing persecution under…
Bro. Richard Hendrick recounts deathbed encounters from his years as a hospital chaplain The head of the Capuchin Franciscans in Ireland has spoken of moments when “the two worlds come close together” at the hour of death, describing encounters with the dead at hospital bedsides and in his own family. Bro. Richard Hendrick OFM Cap.,…
The bishops say more must be done on homelessness. Within days the reply arrives on the letters page of The Irish Times: give away your empty houses. Ber Grogan, executive director of the Simon Communities of Ireland, asks whether the bishops “would consider gifting those empty properties to their local authorities”. With nearly 18,000 people…
Fr Brendan Hoban accuses traditionalist groups of trying to ‘control’ National Assembly A prominent west of Ireland priest has sparked fury by suggesting that some conservative groups at the recent National Synodal Assembly may not have had a legitimate right to be there as Catholics. In an extraordinary broadside, Fr Brendan Hoban, a co-founder…
Facing a potential closure as the result of Development Proposal 754, St Columba’s Primary School in Newbuildings, Co. Derry is receiving an influx of community support from its Protestant neighbours, educators and families. The small Catholic-maintained primary school lies in the predominantly Protestant village of Newbuildings, and has an established Shared Education partnership with the…
Alpha Ireland has reported 20% growth in its Catholic programmes this year, with more than 50 parishes now taking part in its initiatives. “This year, we are seeing growth of about 20% in the Catholic context with over 50 Catholic parishes running Alpha, Alpha Youth, the Marriage and Parenting Courses,” Julie O’Donnell of Alpha Ireland…
The Diocese of Limerick held a forum dedicated to the upcoming World Day of the Poor last week, where social agencies from around Co. Limerick came together at the diocesan centre to share stories of working with the poor. In his opening address, Bishop Brendan Leahy acknowledged the county’s disadvantaged areas, stating, “it is shocking…
Peter Costello
Renata Steffens