Felix M. Larkin The Fourth Estate: Journalism in Twentieth-Century Ireland By Mark O’Brien (Manchester University , £80) This book is about “the conditions under which journalism was practised” in Ireland in the 20th Century, with a focus on “how centres of power related to journalists” – to quote the author, Mark O’Brien, lecturer in journalism history…
Were the ‘Blue Men’ the first Muslims in Ireland?
Writing recently about the Dublin connections of the romance of Tristan and Isolde I had no room to mention that one of the paintings decorating the frieze of the foyer of the City Hall is of Tristan asking for the hand of Isolde (who stands nearby) on behalf of King Mark of Cornwall. Also standing…
Sri Lankans renew their trust in God’s mother
Tamil Catholic youth pose before performing a Bharatnatyam dance depicting the heavenly angels during the Feast of Our Lady of Madhu as part of a pilgrimage in Ontario, Canada at the weekend. Sri Lankan Catholics have venerated the Mother of God under the title Our Lady of Madhu for more than 400 years. Photo: PA
Carrying the Cross
Young people from St Patrick’s College in Dungiven, Co. Derry took part in a Fatima Procession in St Patrick’s Church in the town, reciting the Rosary during the procession whilst other students carried a statue of Our Lady of Fatima.
Teen volunteers lend a hand at Knock
Over 100 young people aged 16-18 from a wide variety of schools have joined the VAKS (Volunteer At Knock Shrine) programme at Knock Shrine, which is a joint venture between the youth ministry offi ce there and Tuam diocesan youth ministry.
News in Brief
President praises church famine appeal President Michael D. Higgins has paid tribute to the decision by the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference to organise special collections at churches across Ireland this weekend, to raise funds for people affected by the famine in East-Africa. He called on all Irish citizens and organisations to take this call as…
Meeting could be D-Day for Irish Church
Staff reporter A senior barrister has called on Church leaders to speak out with confidence for Christian values in the run-in to next year’s World Meeting of Families in Dublin. Writing in The Irish Catholic, Patrick Treacy SC praises Dublin’s Archbishop Diarmuid Martin for his outstanding leadership in tackling child sexual abuse, his ongoing support…
Dublin’s future – big bucks but more inequality
You only have to walk around the centre of Dublin to see that it is a city on the edge of booming future revolution. The cranes are flying – up everywhere. The buildings in the centre of town are being renovated and restored, and the hotels are full – not just of tourists, but of…
Pope Francis prays for Venezuela as referendum sparks more violence
The Pope is renewing his prayers for the embattled people of Venezuela, after a reported seven million people voted in an unofficial referendum against government changes to their constitution. The referendum was organised to put pressure on President Nicolas Maduro, in order to further weaken his legitimacy as a leader. “I express a special greeting…
A US vote could repeal assisted suicide law in Washington DC
New steps have been taken to repeal Washington DC’s assisted suicide law, as the House of Appropriations Committee voted to repeal the legislation last week. The day before the vote, New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan sent a letter to members of the committee urging them to “nullify the DC City Council’s deceptively named ‘Death with…










