Silence under a stone a novel by Norma McMaster (Doubleday Ireland, €14.99) Ian d’Alton Written “out of my own life experience” (the author grew up in Cavan, and is a Church of Ireland minister) this novel is a sometimes difficult read. Not in the literary sense – its touch is sure, its construction works well and…
A book to last a lifetime As Mother’s Day looms closer and closer, finding the perfect gift can be a real challenge. However, a visit to the National Museum of Ireland Country Life in Castlebar next month will make your decision-making much easier, as it is providing the opportunity for you and your mother to…
Fr Pat Ahern, founding member of Siamsa Tire, the National Folk Theatre established in 1973, was honoured by Kerry County Council this Monday for his important contributions to the arts in Ireland spanning over four decades. A native of Moyvane, Fr Ahern, was artistic director of the theatre until 1997, and also took part in broadcasting…
Microplastics (small plastic fragments) and microbeads (in personal care products), are contaminating fish in the north west Atlantic, 600m down in the ocean, according to an Irish study in Frontiers in Marine Science. NUIG scientists took 233 dead deep-sea fish from North Atlantic mid water trawls and discovered that 73% had ingested plastic. “Some of…
Dear Editor, I find it very uplifting that the 70th formally recognised miraculous cure in Lourdes has been announced (IC 15/02/18). It highlights the sacred nature of the place, and how God works mysteriously in the world. I think it’s a real shame that in our modern age people often reduce the supernatural down to…
Reflect on what corrodes Faith during Lent – Pope Lent is a time for Christians to get their hearts in sync with the heart of Jesus, Pope Francis said. “Let the Lord heal the wounds of sin and fulfil the prophecy made to our fathers: ‘A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I…
Fr Pat O’Hagan In anticipation for the World Meeting of Families the Diocese of Derry held a conference entitled ‘A Celebration of Family’, which was organised by the diocesan working group set up by Bishop Donal McKeown in December 2016 The venue was St Mary’s College on Derry’s Northland Road, and it proved to…
When people are unable to love or accept a child with problems or illness, many times it’s because they are too weak themselves to be able to bear someone else’s vulnerabilities, Pope Francis told a group of children and young people who are wards of the state. “If I have a giant rock, I can’t…
Episode 2 of the new series The Irish Catholic Podcast has been released, with an honest and engaging discussion about dynamic Catholic youth ministry in Ireland today. Claire Devaney is the Primary School Coordinator with Scripture Union Ireland. She spoke with John Quinn about the Dynamite Confirmation programme she has developed, what she sees as the…
US clergy have urged community members to come together “to support one another in this time of grief” after a mass shooting on St Valentine’s Day at a Broward County high school that left at least 17 people dead. “With God’s help, we can remain strong and resolute to resist evil in all its manifestations,”…