Pat O’Kelly Built between 1741 and 1755, Russborough House near Blessington is a fine example of Palladian architecture. The renowned Richard Cassels designed it for the brewer and property developer Joseph Leeson, who was created Earl of Milltown in 1763. Dublin’s Leeson Street is named after him. In 1952 Russborough became the home of…
Dear Editor, For all that Pope Francis often talks of his wish for “a poorer Church”, I don’t know how many of us expected it to entail figures for religious orders as stark as those published in The Irish Catholic this week (IC 2/5/2019). Recurring stories of losses at Veritas along with declining weekly collections…
Crafting cherished childhood memories Armagh Craft Fair returns for the ninth year to the the Market Place Theatre and Arts Centre. Bringing high quality craft to the heart of Armagh City, this annual event offers something for everyone. The Market Place Theatre and Arts Centre will transform into a vibrant hub of high quality craft,…
Republican Gov. Brian Kemp signed legislation this week to ban abortions in Georgia once a foetal heartbeat is detected, which is around six weeks. The bill’s signing comes after weeks of protests and amid outcry for legal action against it. “We will not back down. We will always continue to fight for life,” the governor…
Exclusive Latest figures show some congregations face ‘unsustainable’ future Greg Daly, Chai Brady and Colm Fitzpatrick The financial situation of many religious orders in Ireland is at breaking point, with some admitting that their future is financially unsustainable, an investigation by The Irish Catholic has revealed. Overall, the majority of orders in Ireland are spending vastly more than…
Ireland’s religious orders are increasingly facing financial challenges, write Greg Daly, Chai Brady and Colm Fitzpatrick The frantic call for funds to restore Notre Dame de Paris after the disastrous fire at the start of Holy Week will have baffled many, as will have done stories some months ago about how Ireland’s Diocese of Waterford…
Greg Daly, Chai Brady and Colm Fitzpatrick Headline figures from the Charities Regulator can be somewhat misleading, according to Fr Bill Toner, Treasurer of Ireland’s Jesuits, who explains that in the first place the Irish province’s accounts are divided between a range of trusts. “What happened with us is that the treasurer way, way…
The View Martin Mansergh The Easter period in the Christian calendar is a time of both death and resurrection. When tragedy strikes, there is a challenge, when people are faced by a great and wholly unexpected setback to try and find a transformative response. Three such events occurred around this Easter. The largest-scale events…
Though far away from the centre of the action in Rome, Bishop Celestino Aos, the temporary head of the embattled Archdiocese of Santiago, Chile, has a tough job. He’s replacing a cardinal being investigated for cover-up of clerical sexual abuse, whose predecessor is also being questioned by local prosecutors. During the Easter season, Bishop Aos…
Australia’s prime minister has said that the Sri Lankan militant group blamed for the Easter bombings that killed at least 250 people had support from the Islamic State group, a day after Sri Lankan officials said they were still evaluating foreign ties. Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters last Friday that he could confirm links…