A former Ireland national soccer team physio says meeting the Pope was his proudest memory from Irish football’s most successful period in a new documentary this week. Mick Byrne met Pope John Paul II in the Vatican while the Irish squad were competing at Italia ’90 prior to their match against hosts Italy the next…
Singing priest Fr Ray Kelly continues to defy all odds after making it into the quarter-finals of RTE1’s Dancing With The Stars this weekend. Fr Kelly was saved by the public vote once again after dancing the quickstep to I’m a Believer by the Monkees on March 1. The priest and his pro dance partner…
“In a time where people are very busy in a world where there is persistent noise and commentary from social media, I think it’s very important for people to have the space to get away, be centred and in touch with their own self.” These words from Sr Peggy Collins of Glendalough Hermitage Centre not…
Catholic boxer Tyson Fury gave thanks to God in his victory speech after being crowned the WBC heavyweight champion at the weekend. Tyson ‘Gypsy King’ Fury defeated the previously unbeaten Deontay Wilder in their eagerly-anticipated world title rematch at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Arena on February 22. Mr Fury, 31, was handed the WBC belt…
Fr Ray Kelly says he will not quit RTÉ1’s Dancing With The Stars despite receiving abusive emails, letters and threatening phone calls demanding his departure from the show. The Co Meath priest, 66, has been the subject of a hate campaign for his continuing presence on the show, which has made him consider leaving. “I…
An unexpected meeting of foreign ministers from China and the Vatican in Germany last week raised hopes of an improvement in relations between the two states sharing no diplomatic ties. Talks between China’s Wang Yi and Archbishop Paul Gallagher at the Munich Security Conference on February 14 were the first held between the sides since…
Pro-life campaigner Katie Ascough has hit back at comments made by the President of University College Dublin (UCD) in a Sunday newspaper. Prof. Andrew Deeks spoke about the impeachment of the former Students’ Union president and her claims of discrimination by lecturers due to her religious beliefs in the Sunday Independent article. Ms Ascough, who…
Fr Ray Kelly says he can “up his game” despite the on-going backlash from critics over his appearance and performance on RTÉ1’s Dancing With The Stars. The singing priest survived another elim-ination on February 16 by securing enough public votes to remain on the show. However, sections of the media and public have voiced their…
Nine out of 10 voters for Irish political party Aontú attend religious services on a weekly basis, according to a recent exit poll. The poll found that the all-Ireland Republican party had the most church-goers with 79% of its members attending once a week, with 11% saying they go to Mass every day. Aontú, meaning…
The head of the Catholic Church in Ireland has encouraged more young people to “seriously consider” a career in the police. Archbishop Eamon Martin has previously called for the reinstatement of 50/50 recruitment to increase the number of Catholic officers in the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). Latest PSNI figures show only 32% of…