Author Diarmuid Johnson reflects on how the legacy of Ireland’s ancient monks continues to shape modern Europe, despite being forgotten at home “Much of the knowledge the old people once had about the local saints, the holy wells, the pilgrimages and the feast days was lost – and another version of faith has come to…
The former Governor of Mountjoy Prison, John Lonergan, has spent over four decades inside Ireland’s penal system. Yet, more than a decade into retirement, his focus has shifted from prison walls to family homes — and what he sees now worries him just as deeply. These days, the Tipperary native travels the country giving talks…
The funeral industry is currently facing severe challenges due to recent bouts of inflation, an industry official has said. Speaking to The Irish Catholic, CEO of Fanagan’s funeral directors, Bryan Murphy said that recent increases in input costs have negatively impacted the industry’s profit margins. “Obviously we’ve gone through a very high inflationary period and…
Christians and other minorities in Syria are still facing threats from Islamist militants despite the establishment of a new government in the country last year, Trócaire has said. Speaking with The Irish Catholic, Trócaire’s Head of Portfolio / Fragile & Conflict Affected States, Birke Herzbruch said that the current government is “still struggling to establish…
The Nigerian community in Ireland have criticised comments from US President Donald Trump, after he threatened to intervene military in the country over Islamic extremist attacks on Christians. In a social media post last weekend, the US president said that Islamic extremists in Nigeria were “killing the Christians and killing them in very large numbers.…
Former Green Party leader and minister, Éamon Ryan, has hailed Pope Leo’s commitment to tackling climate change, having attended a conference with him near Rome last month. The former politician attended the Raising Hope Conference in Castel Gandolfo and had the opportunity to see Pope Leo at the landmark event marking the tenth anniversary of…
A recent survey commissioned by Accord has highlighted that a majority of Catholics in Ireland still wish to marry in the Church, despite evolving trends in wedding choices. The study carried out by Amárach Research, was discussed at the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference last week during their Autumn 2025 General Meeting in Maynooth. Among non-married Catholics, 60% reported…
Fr Brian D’Arcy, who worked with Fr McCarthy on Radharc, remembered him with deep affection. “We worked together quite a lot in the Catholic Communications Institute in the mid-70s, and he was with Radharc at that time,” he told this paper. “He was a man who played the piano accordion exceptionally well. He was a…
Alcohol and cocaine dependence remain the most common issues facing addicts in Ireland according to a new report issued by Coolmine Therapeutic Community this week. The addiction treatment centre noted that it had supported 3,293 individuals and families in 2024 — marking a sharp 35% increase compared to the previous year. Following the publication of…
The former governor of Mountjoy prison has said that sexual abuse in Irish prisons has become rampant due to overcrowding. Speaking with The Irish Catholic, former prison governor John Lonergan said that abuse is currently “widespread” among both male and female inmates due to cells being occupied by two, or sometimes three, people. “I’ve no…