State Papers: Echoes of the past from the archives Many people have wondered over the years about the ‘promise to pay’ of the Irish Republic in the 19th Century and early 20th Century. Great sums of money were collected but never really accounted for. Mystery surrounds these funds. One of the files deals with…
January The new year began with news that Mayo-born Fr Patrick Peyton – who died in 1992 – began his first steps towards formal sainthood, with Pope Francis having acknowledged his ‘heroic virtues’, decreeing him ‘venerable’. Known as the ‘Rosary Priest’, Fr Peyton organised massive Rosary rallies in cities around the world, enlisting the help…
Chai Brady compiles a list of seven sport stars to watch out for The world of sport can be a challenging one, with athletes often pushing themselves to the limits of their physicality, while some may be driven by hopes of fame and renown others put their faith in God and thank Him for…
In August, Pope Francis came to Ireland as part of the World Meeting of Families, visiting both Dublin and Knock. Prior to his arrival hundreds of volunteers had been working night and day to ensure that entire event was a success and an appropriate celebration for Irish families. On August 21, all 26 of Ireland’s…
Forget Clark Kent, journalist Paul Clark is the real superhero of Christmas, writes Colm Fitzpatrick There’s a pervasive feeling in today’s society that the enchantment of Christmas disappears as we get older, but for television presenter and journalist Paul Clark, the magic of this festive season is still alive and well. The UTV reporter,…
100 years on… Ireland played a role in the US failure to ratify the Versailles Treaty, writes Gabriel Doherty The exigencies of producing a weekly newspaper three days after Christmas, when combined with an uncongenial election schedule, meant that The Irish Catholic of Saturday December 28, 1918 lacked a vital ingredient: analysis of the…
A feature of the temperance movement from the beginning was inclusiveness, writes Finola Kennedy “Padre, is that you?…Is there a God?” Reassurance from the chaplain to the dying young officer prompted the reply, “You must be right, but it’s hard isn’t it, to understand?” It must have been hard too for the 32 Irish…
Chai Brady hears about the disparity between Christmas before and after addiction One of the best Christmas presents a GAA star and former gambling addict ever received was the chance to see a “glimpse of the future”, and just how good it can be. Oisin McConville, a former Armagh GAA player, has often spoke…
Colm Fitzpatrick speaks with acclaimed singer and musician Nathan Carter It might be easy to think that a national celebrity who has even sang in front of two Popes might be tempted to have a decked out and lavish Christmas, but for well-known country singer Nathan Carter, the true luxuries of this festive day…
Even for those who don’t know his name, few artists in today’s Ireland are more closely linked with Christmas than Belfast-born PJ Lynch, recently the country’s fourth Children’s Laureate but perhaps best known to readers of The Irish Catholic for his work on the mosaic of Knock Basilica. 2016 and 2017 saw his delicate watercolours…
Chai Brady
Colm Fitzpatrick
Greg Daly