A festival that is no mere flight of fancy One of the greatest feats of aviation history, the first ever non-stop transatlantic flight, will be celebrated in the surroundings of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way as part of a centenary commemoration. Alcock & Brown 100 Festival will mark the remarkable achievements of aviation heroes Sir John…
Shooting sign of broken culture, American bishop says
American society needs to examine why mass shootings and other violent incidents occur, the chairman of the US bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development has said following the murder of 12 people in Virginia. “This shooting reminds us yet again that something is fundamentally broken in our society and culture when ordinary workplaces…
Green politics: the anti-life paradox
David Mullins The apparent resurgence of ‘Green Politics’ at local, national and EU level has been the focus of significant commentary in recent days. For many, this is a welcome development that signals the arrival of a renewed global consensus on the various ecological and biodiversity challenges that confront us. This was certainly the reaction…
Defenders of the risen people?
Thomas J. Morrissey ‘The Labour Hercules’: The Irish Citizen Army and Irish Republicanism, 1913-23 by Jeffrey Leddin (Irish Acadmic Press, €24.95) The author’s research and wide reading is evident in relation to the origin, nature, and activity of the Irish Citizen Army from 1913-1923. The book is, perhaps, too specialised for the general reader, but…
Talks with Benedict ‘give me strength’: Pope Francis
Pope Francis has said that he continues to visit retired Pope Benedict XVI, 92, who is like a grandfather who continues to encourage him and give him strength. “I take his hand and let him speak. He speaks little, at his own pace, but with the same profoundness as always. Benedict’s problem are his knees,…
Magnificent festival makes its way around the houses
Pat O’Kelly Festival is a word that can be abused but with Great Music in Irish Houses I think it can be applied without hesitation. This annual event began in 1970 when it was then, and for many years afterwards, known as the Music in Great Irish Houses Festival. In its initial year it embraced…
Letters: Focus on today’s sins, not yesterday’s
Dear Editor, We in the Republic of Ireland have had the most anti-Christian government in Europe for the past eight years. We have had legislation redefining marriage, legalising abortion and now proposals leading to quickie divorces. In addition religious symbols have been removed from hospital wards and corridors and every effort is being made to…
Bishops’ LGBTQ comments like ‘stake through heart’
Comments made by a US bishop who told Catholics not to go or support any LGBTQ Pride events have been dubbed “hugely offensive” and not based in fact. Bishop of Providence, Rhode Island, Thomas Tobin also said on social media the events “promote a culture and encourage activities that are contrary to Catholic faith and…
New Northern Assembly ‘within touching distance’
A former moderator of the Presbyterian Church says political parties are “within touching distance” of an agreement. Rev Ken Newell told The Irish Catholic that there is a “very strong desire” among Unionists on the ground to get up and running. “If you believe in Unionism and you have no institutions locally to demonstrate that,…
In Brief
Australian prelate’s appeal begins This week sees Australian Cardinal George Pell making a case for a last chance of freedom, with his case being heard by the Appeals Division of the Supreme Court of Victoria. Three judges will preside over the June 5-6 hearing, with a decision expected within several months. The cardinal was convicted…










